I am in the process of purchasing a 2003 Monaco (McKenzie) Rogue 20' RV with two slides and the Ford V10 E450 chasis. The hitch is rated for 3500lbs. We want to tow our 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid which is spec'd at 3800lbs. I know the Ford engine can pull the 5000lbs, but I am unsure about the chasis and hitch. On the Class C forum, someone suggested reinforcing the frame extensions to get the additional towing margin. Are there some guidelines on how to do this? If I go to a weld shop, would they know how to get this done? Also, would I need to replace the current hitch, rated at 3500lbs with a 5000lb hitch?Thanks.

Any good welding shop will know what to do once they crawl under. On that short a MH the frame may not need anything. Since you are not putting any weight on the hitch a V brace from the frame to the center of your current hitch is all that's needed to increase it for towing 3800lbs. What are you going to do for brakes on your car?

I agree, any welding shop worthy of the name should be able to inspect the frame of the coach and determine what needs done, if anything.Yes, you should replace the 3500 lb. capacity hitch with a 5000 lb. capacity one.

Make sure you have enough money in the bank for your tranny replacement.....Dennis

Hi,The E-450 of that model year is Ford factory rated at about 22,000 pounds, and the transmission is strong enough at that weight The same transmission was rated at 30,000 GCVWR in the F-550 with a more powerful diesel engine.The frame is good for the weight that you want to tow. How long is the frame extension? Normally a 20' RV will not have a frame extension at all. If the hitch is attached to the Ford factory frame, and not a extension, then Ford rates the towing ability around 10,000 pounds!Good luck,Fred.

Executive wrote:Make sure you have enough money in the bank for your tranny replacement.....DennisI don't understand what you are getting at. Are you implying that the transmission is not sufficient? All class c's that I have looked at so far (with the exception of the Rogue), with the V10 engine/E450 have been rated at 5000lbs. Are there different variations of transmission which can be used for heavier tow capacity?While I can reinforce the frame extensions rather easily, I am stuck with the current transmission so this may be a deal breaker for me. Please clarify your statement.Thanks.

Reinforcing frame extensions for additional 300lbs towing.

tmaxx
Explorer
Feb 15, 2015
Executive wrote:
Make sure you have enough money in the bank for your tranny replacement.....Dennis

I don't understand what you are getting at. Are you implying that the transmission is not sufficient? All class c's that I have looked at so far (with the exception of the Rogue), with the V10 engine/E450 have been rated at 5000lbs. Are there different variations of transmission which can be used for heavier tow capacity?

While I can reinforce the frame extensions rather easily, I am stuck with the current transmission so this may be a deal breaker for me. Please clarify your statement.
Thanks.
Golden_HVAC
Explorer
Feb 15, 2015
Hi,

The E-450 of that model year is Ford factory rated at about 22,000 pounds, and the transmission is strong enough at that weight The same transmission was rated at 30,000 GCVWR in the F-550 with a more powerful diesel engine.

The frame is good for the weight that you want to tow. How long is the frame extension? Normally a 20' RV will not have a frame extension at all. If the hitch is attached to the Ford factory frame, and not a extension, then Ford rates the towing ability around 10,000 pounds!

Good luck,

Fred.
Executive45
Explorer III
Feb 15, 2015
Make sure you have enough money in the bank for your tranny replacement.....Dennis
mowermech
Explorer
Feb 15, 2015
I agree, any welding shop worthy of the name should be able to inspect the frame of the coach and determine what needs done, if anything.
Yes, you should replace the 3500 lb. capacity hitch with a 5000 lb. capacity one.
Ivylog
Explorer III
Feb 14, 2015
Any good welding shop will know what to do once they crawl under. On that short a MH the frame may not need anything. Since you are not putting any weight on the hitch a V brace from the frame to the center of your current hitch is all that's needed to increase it for towing 3800lbs.
What are you going to do for brakes on your car?

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Reinforcing frame extensions for additional 300lbs towing.

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