Gulf Stream Vista Cruiser

I have a 2004 Vista Cruiser. I bought a Curt receiver hitch, but it wasn't the spare that was to problem, it was the gray water tank. It was mounted exactly where a flange with 2 bolts goes. So, my hitch was the class III, rated for 6000 lbs, but with 2 less bolts, it's not capable of that. However, I only want to tow a small trailer with maybe 500-600 lbs. I cut off the conflicting flange and the rest was easy. The install was pretty straight forward, but you must buy the right hitch, there are several variables, the wheelbase, number of wheels, and type of bumper are the keys. I still have my step bumper too.

My first question is why did you contact Roadtrek for a question you have for a Vista Cruiser? I have a 2006 MB Edition Dodge Sprinter/Freightliner. This took me a long, long time, but it was done correctly when I was done. The hitch is Curt Manufacturing 13250 Class III Receiver. The Tow Adapter was a Hopkins 47185 Multi-Tow Adapter. The Brake Control was a Reese Towpower 74643 Brakeman. I got everything from amazon for the best price. I towed 4,600 lbs from Alaska to Wisconsin. Another contributor mentioned altering the hitch, and not being able to use every bolt hole. This is true, and you will be able to see what he means when you line it up on the underside. The Vista Cruiser towed this much weight fine even though it exceeds the recommended, and despite hills that had a 10% grade. I took it easy, real easy, and did not exceed 45 mph. But I got to the lower 48 safely. Feel free to contact me.

At a max of 45 mph, how long did the trip take?

You are a patient man.

I appreciate your information concerning hitch problem. Did you not use two(2) bolts and you haven't had any problems or did you fabricate something If you want you can contact me by email at skipnsash@att.net. Thank you John Nash

You can't even get the hitch in the correct position on the van until you remove the flange that those 2 bolts use. The flange hits on the gray water tank and mounting. Without moving the tank, no hitch will bolt in and moving it would be a real pain, redesigning the entire drain system and figuring out where to remount it. Easier to cut off the flange. The mounting bolts supplied are grade 8 and you just have to be aware you lost some weight capability. I never planned on towing anything near the 5000 lb limit of the van, so I wasn't concerned with it. As with most things they build in a safety factor, if its rated at 6000 lbs it won't break at 6010 more like 7500 or higher.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INFORMATION. I WOULD LIKE TO TOW A SMALL TRAILER AND ALSO ON OCASSION PERHAPS A VEHICLE tHANKS

My mb cruiser has the corner of the flange " removed" to fit around the tank. I've pulled my subie with it without issue. If I were concerned about it, I would have the welder who removes the corner of the flange to craft an additional bracket that spans the tank and connects to the chassis a little more forward. It would be an easy fabrication job for any weld shop.