swap 5k lbs hitch to a 10k lbs hitch

One of the first orders of business is to get the MH weighed after we get out stuff in it. I have read, as was stated here that some come out of the factory almost maxed out of one or both axles. Thanks

willald wrote:

wolfe10 wrote:
Yup, don't bother to stay within the towing limits of your coach. And, if you have an accident, hope you can explain to police and insurance company why you exceeded the legal limits of your vehicle (they are smart enough to ask).

'legal' limits? LOL, the only 'legal' limit in most cases is defined by the DOT limits on the roads you're on (typically 20,000 lbs per axle, not something you have to worry about). Or in some cases, the max. amount of weight your vehicle is registered for with DMV.

GCWR, and GVWR limits, contrary to popular belief, and contrary to the MYTHs that keep getting spread on here, are NOT legal limits. They are purely RECOMMENDATIONS from the manufacturer. No more.

Insurance? LOL, lets PLEASE not start spreading that ridiculous MYTH again, suggesting that insurance can deny a claim if they find you are exceeding a manufacturer's RECOMMENDED maximum weight. That urban mythological bit of nonsense just needs to die.

Having said that....Like other posters have alluded to, you do need to take several factors into consideration before just swapping a 5k receiver for a 10k receiver. Frame/chassis strength, weight balance/distribution, and axle,tire weight ratings to name a few. However, paranoia spread on internet forums about non-existant 'legal' limits is not one of them.

IF you have commercial insurance they may be able to deny coverage

If you have regular owners vehicle insurance like most of us it would be surprising to me if they could deny coverage.

For the most part over loading will reduce the life of various components due to fatigue, over heating, etc and most will not experience that failure and some may.

a SMART lawyer will try to paint you as a reckless risk taker that flaunts safe guidelines. He may plant the seed that you would likely do other things to disregard others safety. Will a judge allow this? Some would and others would not, but a judge likely will not rule until trial as judges like both sides pressured so they settle before trial so get ready to answer these types of questions in a rather stressful deposition. Everybody needs to make their own decision based on their assets at stake and their risk tolerance.

You will most likely really ever know this if someone gets seriously injured or killed and they take the time to really examine the details. But, as far as believing over weighing your coach is riskless endeavor as some say is wrong.

Of course if you have no money and no insurance like they guy who hit my SIL they really will not do much to you. :E

fighterpilota wrote:
Its a Ford F53 frame and their brochure says 17,000 GVWR and GCWR is 25,000 so believe up to 8000 lbs available before exceeding the GCWR, and that assumes I don't go over 17,000 with the coach. The motorhome frame is really solid, the way they added the hitch to it isn't up to the quality and strength of the motor home frame, hence would need to change the hitch and the way it is attached.

But how much weight did the final manufacturer (the coach builder) add to that frame. You have to go by the weight the coach builder says, not the chassis builder. There are motorhomes out there that are overweight when they leave the assembly line!!!

Its a Ford F53 frame and their brochure says 17,000 GVWR and GCWR is 25,000 so believe up to 8000 lbs available before exceeding the GCWR, and that assumes I don't go over 17,000 with the coach. The motorhome frame is really solid, the way they added the hitch to it isn't up to the quality and strength of the motor home frame, hence would need to change the hitch and the way it is attached.

my996duc1 wrote:
I understand this forum is full of safety police and that is a good thing but not always practical.

You can call it "safety police", but I see it as looking out for our fellow RVers and the motoring public in general. I had to put up with the real "safety police", aka DOT, PUC, and various other police agencies, as a over the road CDL driver for years. They were looking out for my safety, and the safety of the general public. They were not working against me, and I don't see how one around here can think other RVers are working against them. I see very knowledgeable people wanting to help.

And you mention the pratical side of it. Well I know that if I modify a commercial trailer used under DOT regulations that it has to go back to the manufacturer for a new manufacturer's modification sticker before it can be legally ran on the highways. Practical is not always safe!

you will not have a problem towing a jeep on a flat trailer with the
5K hitch. The biggest issue is the back of the MH if the frame is strong enough.

While under the coach today trying to sort out a fuel leak I took a good look at the hitch system. The brochure indicates a class III hitch even though the chassis documentation indicates it can two more. If I need to tow more I will replace the hitch and the attaching structure.

Do what ever you feel is right. What ever happens after that is your responsibility, not mine or any one else's on this forum.
Randy

spritz_55423 wrote:
I too am waiting to hear what you do. We have a 82 Pace Arrow 30 fter and thought it had a class 3 so we bought a KarKatty SS to tow our 99 Deville Concours. The dealer we bought the karkatty from hooked it up to the MH the first time to show us how to do it and nothing was said about the right size receiver. Anyhow we have towed the caddy several times with no problems at all can't even tell shes back there. After learning that it is a class 2 we took it to our shop we go to and had them throw a few extra welds on the receiver. I will get it loaded up and take it to the scales and see what is going on. I hope after spending all the monies to have a toad (our caddie) I hope it works out in our favor.

With a curb weight of 4012 lbs. plus what ever your hauling in it, on the KarKatty at 615 lbs, with a total towed vehicle weight – 4,700 lbs, I sure some day you will end up leaving the dolly and Deville at a red light or stop sign. That class 2 hitch is still only rated at 3500 lbs even with the extra welds.

I too am waiting to hear what you do. We have a 82 Pace Arrow 30 fter and thought it had a class 3 so we bought a KarKatty SS to tow our 99 Deville Concours. The dealer we bought the karkatty from hooked it up to the MH the first time to show us how to do it and nothing was said about the right size receiver. Anyhow we have towed the caddy several times with no problems at all can't even tell shes back there. After learning that it is a class 2 we took it to our shop we go to and had them throw a few extra welds on the receiver. I will get it loaded up and take it to the scales and see what is going on. I hope after spending all the monies to have a toad (our caddie) I hope it works out in our favor.