8,000# hitch on new E-450 Chassis
It has recently come to my attention that all new Thor Motorhomes on the E-450 chassis built after 10/01/2014 come equipped standard with an 8,000 pound receiver hitch instead of the 5,000 pound hitch...
Forum Discussion
LSVLance wrote:
I suspect that the main thing I'll have to watch for is the rear axle carrying capacity...which might be totally reliant on the wheelbase and how much weight is behind the rear axle. Even though the chassis may be rated for 22,000#, the rear axle may be only rated for 17,500# (just a guess, I have not looked it up yet) and it may be close to that limit before putting any tongue weight on it at all. This is why I brought up weight distribution hitches, to transfer some of the trailer weight to the front axle of the TV.
You are correct in a way, rear axle weight will be a top concern. I think you have your numbers a little jumbled though. Your chassis does not have a 22000 lb carrying capacity, that's your combined weight rating. Your rear axle capacity is 9600 lbs or so on an E450 IIRC. It's very easy to exceed that especially in a larger motorhome. I had an older 30' with no slides, and I would often be very close to my rig's max axle weight of 9450, and that was without a trailer.
