Towing a 6400lb toyhauler with my MH

tderonne wrote:
If he's under 26,000 pounds combined, he isn't exceeding what the CHASSIS is designed for.

Better?

According to Ford, the people that BUILD the chassis you know, there are caveats. Ford does NOT say "if you stay under 26k lbs GCWR" you're fine. They give easy to understand specifics. There's a pretty good chance that the OP can tow that trailer with just a hitch upgrade. Hell, I didn't know you could even tow over 5000 lbs with a F53 until recently. BTW, I probably shouldn't have quoted you as I wasn't trying to address your post specifically.

If he's under 26,000 pounds combined, he isn't exceeding what the CHASSIS is designed for.

Better?

Depending on the GVWR and wheelbase of the MH, he can have up to 10,000 lbs towing capacity. This info is in the F53 chassis guide. Mine is limited to 5500 lbs (GVWR 20,500 and 208" WB). To the OP, you want to find this guide your year F53 chassis.

2009 F53 Motorhome Chassis - Ford Fleet

EDIT: Can't find the chassis guide for a 2002 but I found a "F-SUPER DUTY CLASS A MOTOR HOME CHASSIS (F53) AXLE/TIRE/VEHICLE HEIGHT DATA" for 2002 F53's document. It lists GVWR's for their respective WB's. Looks like the 2002's, depending on WB, are about the same as the 2009's (some are lighter duty like the 2002 178" and 190" WB's are 15,700 lbs vs the 2009's 16,000 lbs). I can't find the GCWR of the 2002 though. At least not in an official Ford document (not yet anyways).

tderonne wrote:

JohnnyT wrote:

The reality is that your chassis is not designed to tow that much weight...

If he's under 26,000 pounds combined, he isn't exceeding what the chassis is designed for.

You are just assuming that the frame does not have any extensions welded to it that can not carry the entire GVW. Your assumptions mean you know more than the Winnebago engineers that designed it for 5000# in the first place. If they thought the hitch could haul more don't you think they would have made a big deal on their advertising that they can haul more than anybody else.

JohnnyT wrote:

The reality is that your chassis is not designed to tow that much weight...

If he's under 26,000 pounds combined, he isn't exceeding what the chassis is designed for.

82911 wrote:
I have a 2002 Winnebago 32V with the F53 chassis and the ford v-10 engine. Max towing weight is 5000# but I want to tow my 6400# toyhauler. I know I would have to get a 10,000# receiver installed but what else should I do?

The reality is that your chassis is not designed to tow that much weight... In addition to the Hitch... Frame strength is a factor, suspension components, Transmission limitations, Torgue and horsepower to pull without exceeding design limits will be in play. Brakes are also a key factor...

In addition the affect of that much weight affecting the overall handling and stability in windy conditions or challenging road conditions will make your proposed setup marginal.

While it is possible to overcome some of these issues my assessment is that your setup will be marginal... No doubt some have exceeded design limitations and have not had problems.

If I were going to do it anyway... Then I would focused on suspension enhancements for my chassis designed to enhance stability. Weight equalizing hitch and sway controls...plus the best trailer brakes on the planet...

JohnnyT

The one thing I would add is a sticky back label of a proper moving company and put it on the dash of that pickup. NO WAY would I pull that gypsy setup with a conventional pickup

From the V-10 perspective, I don't think you will have a problem. We had a 36 Pace Arrow Vision with all the bells and whistles so it was heavy.. we pulled a pickup loaded with a 1000 lb motorcycle without a problem with the V-10. Ours was a 1999 but I had a Banks package on it to boost the HP and torque.

discovery4us wrote:
Is the toyhauler 6400 total with all your toys or 6400 empty? If it is 6400 total you are probable OK with a WDH. You will be right on the edge and I would still upgrade the hitch but most 5000lbs. hitches are rated closer to 6500lbs. with a WDH.

Need to be a bit careful here. There is a good possibility that the receiver is not a WD version. These require arms going forward to frame members not just bolted to a sub-frame.

Is the toyhauler 6400 total with all your toys or 6400 empty? If it is 6400 total you are probable OK with a WDH. You will be right on the edge and I would still upgrade the hitch but most 5000lbs. hitches are rated closer to 6500lbs. with a WDH.