Frame Extension
Can any of you tell me how long the frame extensions are on a 24 ft. Ford E 350 or E450 class c? Thank you Stan
Forum Discussion
srd1941 wrote:
Thank you Mich
Very good information. I saved the Ford data in favorites for future reference. My problem is that my CRV weighs 3680 which is above the 3500 lbs. of most factory installed hitches. While I have no doubt that a 3500 lb. hitch will safely tow the CRV I really don’t like to be right at the upper limit. I’d rather have a bit of a cushion. My concern with the frame extension has been whether or not it is stout enough to install a heavier Class 3 hitch . With less than 3 ft. of extension I don’t believe there would be a problem. I would like to look at how the extension was constructed but I’m pretty sure Ford supplies the coach manufacture with specifications on how to do it and it would be more that strong enough to support a heavier hitch. One other thing that is not taken into consideration in regards to hitch rating is that towing a car places little to no tongue weight on the hitch unlike towing a trailer. The information I’ve been able to glean from the hitch manufactures refers only to towing trailers.
Just had to go through the Woodall's portal to post again ?
Any of the newer E350/E450 class C's will most likely have a 5,000# or 7,500# rated hitch. I believe some manufacturer says they have an 8,000# rated hitch, but that would be more than what Ford rates the chassis for.
I had a 1997 24' Coachmen Class C which came with a 3,500# rated hitch when built. It had a very short frame extension from the rear of the Ford chassis under the rear of the house. I had a local welding shop, which does this sort of stuff all the time, make up and install a custom hitch, which bolted into the frame rails forward of the frame extension. It was very inexpensive, less than what a lot of off the shelf hitches would have cost. That vehicle had an 11,500# GVWR and an 18,000# GCWR/
My current 32 1/2' Class C is rated to pull 7,500# as built by Ford. The wheel base was stretched to 220" and I have about 11 1/2' from the rear axle to the rear bumper. It came with a hitch rated at 5,000# and stickers saying not to exceed 350# tongue weight.
