Good Morning,First off let me clarify by stating i am not looking for anyone to tell me what to do or what not to do. I know this will be a touchy subject with risks but its an honest question.....My 2014 Fleetwood Storm has a 5000# towing capacity.I am looking at a toad that weighs 5330# (Durango). Let's say I take half the fuel out of it (90#) I'd be at 5240#.OK so pretty much zero tongue weight, how much extra stress is 240# of pulling weight going to cause? Hitch is 5000# hitch.Now I realize 5000# is 5000#.. however we aren't full timers and probably would tow a toad 1000miles a year.. MAYBE if that.I just want to know if I am being foolish by even thinking it...

Not an expert here, but I don't see it as a huge concern, since your overage is minimal.However, be aware that, in the event of an accident or other issue, a good lawyer on their part could uncover this fact and try to use it against you. Whether they're successful or not with this is totally out of your control.

If I already owned a tow vehicle that weighed 5300 lbs I would probably use it I assume that's the boat you are in. However if I was purchasing a vehicle to tow I would stay under the 5000 lb rating.Aux brakes would be a must.

dieharder wrote:Not an expert here, but I don't see it as a huge concern, since your overage is minimal.However, be aware that, in the event of an accident or other issue, a good lawyer on their part could uncover this fact and try to use it against you. Whether they're successful or not with this is totally out of your control.X2

How do you know the Durango weighs 5330 lbs? Have you weighed it? If no, then I suggest that you do so first so you know exactly what you're up against.As for being a couple of hundred pounds over, I would never recommend that you go ahead and pull it; however, I seriously doubt if it will cause a catastrophic failure in you hitch system the first few times. But over time, it will definitely cause undo ware and tare on the hitch and it's mounting point.Another factor to take into count would be the extra strain on the engine and drive train of the mh.It's your call, of course. ron

I see RV's towing vehicles that I know are technically overweight all the time. That don't make it right but, it will work. When I pull my toad I just drive really easy regardless of the amount of weight. It's more of a stopping issue than anything.

Towing overweight | Good Sam Community

46 Replies

tropical36
Explorer
Feb 20, 2014
jeremywatco wrote:
Good Morning,

First off let me clarify by stating i am not looking for anyone to tell me what to do or what not to do. I know this will be a touchy subject with risks but its an honest question.....

My 2014 Fleetwood Storm has a 5000# towing capacity.

I am looking at a toad that weighs 5330# (Durango). Let's say I take half the fuel out of it (90#) I'd be at 5240#.

OK so pretty much zero tongue weight, how much extra stress is 240# of pulling weight going to cause? Hitch is 5000# hitch.

Now I realize 5000# is 5000#.. however we aren't full timers and probably would tow a toad 1000miles a year.. MAYBE if that.

I just want to know if I am being foolish by even thinking it...

I wouldn't be too concerned and you can always weld a gusset or two on the receiver or other parts of the frame for good measure. Every spec. should have a 10% tolerance at least or I would think so.
One has to wonder how this 5K is figured. Is it like free hanging vertically and as if your coach was being hung in mid-air with a huge crane with the toad connected as well?
How's your GCVW numbers add up with all this?
We're heavy with ours, even though under 5K with the toad and the only weak point is with the transmission, so we're careful of that when in mountain terrain.
falconbrother
Explorer II
Feb 20, 2014
I see RV's towing vehicles that I know are technically overweight all the time. That don't make it right but, it will work. When I pull my toad I just drive really easy regardless of the amount of weight. It's more of a stopping issue than anything.
lanerd
Explorer II
Feb 20, 2014
How do you know the Durango weighs 5330 lbs? Have you weighed it? If no, then I suggest that you do so first so you know exactly what you're up against.

As for being a couple of hundred pounds over, I would never recommend that you go ahead and pull it; however, I seriously doubt if it will cause a catastrophic failure in you hitch system the first few times. But over time, it will definitely cause undo ware and tare on the hitch and it's mounting point.

Another factor to take into count would be the extra strain on the engine and drive train of the mh.

It's your call, of course.

ron
TucsonJim
Explorer II
Feb 20, 2014
dieharder wrote:
Not an expert here, but I don't see it as a huge concern, since your overage is minimal.

However, be aware that, in the event of an accident or other issue, a good lawyer on their part could uncover this fact and try to use it against you. Whether they're successful or not with this is totally out of your control.

X2
Two_Jayhawks
Explorer
Feb 20, 2014
If I already owned a tow vehicle that weighed 5300 lbs I would probably use it I assume that's the boat you are in. However if I was purchasing a vehicle to tow I would stay under the 5000 lb rating.
Aux brakes would be a must.
dieharder
Explorer
Feb 20, 2014
Not an expert here, but I don't see it as a huge concern, since your overage is minimal.

However, be aware that, in the event of an accident or other issue, a good lawyer on their part could uncover this fact and try to use it against you. Whether they're successful or not with this is totally out of your control.

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Towing overweight

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