I have a 97 Bounder with a very short rear overhang. I toured the Fleetwood factory back in 96 and saw how they make the motorhomes, and how the welders would add anything from 12" frame extension to something like 9 feet to the 38' long Bounder.
The 38' Bounder came with a third axle (before the change to 19.5" rims and upgraded GVWR in 1999). This improved the GVWR from a limited 17,000 to 20,500 pounds. Yet the extra 9' welded on might limit towing ability. My model did not have that restriction. Yet for Fleetwood to limit my model to tow say 5,000 pounds while the ones with tag axles are said to only be safe with 3,500 pounds would be a salesman's worst nightmare - explaining how the chassis on shorter models is stronger. . .
So they limit everything to 3,500 pounds and don't worry about what the customers think after it is sold. That is my theory anyway.
My chassis extension is very short. If I wanted to, I could bolt on a 10,000 pound rated hitch to the Ford chassis. Ford rated the 1996 F-53 chassis to a maximum 22,000 or 26,000 GCVWR. It was Fleetwood that limits the towing ability to only 3,500 pounds.
I towed a 5,000 pound +/- 26' long cargo trailer with it once. I did not have a lot of hitch weight, and did not fill my rear mounted 100 gallon water tank at all, so I was taking about 300# off the rear of my RV. It towed fine.
That is why I said not to worry much about the extra few hundred pounds. I tow a 4,200 pound 2007 Ford Edge now. I used to have a 1999 Honda CRV back when that car was new. I have also towed my 95 Windstar with a tow dolly. My favorite ride is a 1967 Manx dune buggy. It is only 1,500 pounds, and you hardly know it is back there. No need for brakes on it!
Fred.
