10K hitch on a 2007 Sportscoach Elite...No Longer?

[eric99]

Hi,

I'm not sure what's going on here but from all of the information I've seen the 2007 Sportscoach Elite 40QSL comes standard with a 10K hitch.

For some reason the Sportscoach I'm looking at only has a 5k hitch.

I'm being told by my dealer, CW, that they called Forest River (who bought out Coachmen) that it didn't come with a 10k hitch and they would not recommend putting one on. I find this hard to believe.

I emailed Danielle Davis at Forest River and gave her the coach's VIN. She said:

Hello Eric,

I'm sorry but I don't have anything with records to records on units built prior to 2008. Forest River bought out Coachmen in 2008 and did not buy the rights to the history so I have no way of looking this unit up.

Danielle Davis
Forest River Sales / Dispatch
Coachmen Plant 310
P: 574-825-8225

Yet my CW says when they gave Forest River the VIN the coach did not come with the 5k hitch.

Does anyone know for sure if a 10k hitch will work with this coach? If so, where can I get one and a ballpark price? I need to deduct this from what I'm paying for the Sportscoach.

Thanks!
Eric

[PastorCharlie]

Here is what you need, scan toward the bottom of page for different hitches up to 16,000 lbs. Google Knows

[topflite51]

Curt Manufacturing makes several CL 5 hitches, might call them.

[eric99]

dougrainer wrote:
1. IF Freightliner states this VIN chassis can support a 10k hitch, then you can install a 10k hitch.
2. The OEM (RV maker) does NOT modify to install any hitches. They install or it comes from the chassis maker with the appropriate rated Hitch.
3. The Hitch rating has nothing to do with the gross weight of the vehicle and possible complete towed weight. The hitch rating has to do with how STRONG the rear end frame rails have been built by the chassis maker. There are chassis that are rated for 10k but have a 5k hitch installed.
4. The main thing you need to worry about from Freightliner is IF they built your specific chassis to utilize a 10k hitch
5. People that have a 5k rated chassis and hitch have for years, gone to certified welders and have a 10k installed and the extra required steel gussets added to beef up the frame to safely use a 10k hitch. Doug

Doug,

That's some good info. Freightliner told me the plates will handle a 10K hitch.

Problem is I can't find a manufacturer of 10 hitches. Do you or anyone know where I could buy a 10K hitch?

[dougrainer]

1. IF Freightliner states this VIN chassis can support a 10k hitch, then you can install a 10k hitch.
2. The OEM (RV maker) does NOT modify to install any hitches. They install or it comes from the chassis maker with the appropriate rated Hitch.
3. The Hitch rating has nothing to do with the gross weight of the vehicle and possible complete towed weight. The hitch rating has to do with how STRONG the rear end frame rails have been built by the chassis maker. There are chassis that are rated for 10k but have a 5k hitch installed.
4. The main thing you need to worry about from Freightliner is IF they built your specific chassis to utilize a 10k hitch
5. People that have a 5k rated chassis and hitch have for years, gone to certified welders and have a 10k installed and the extra required steel gussets added to beef up the frame to safely use a 10k hitch. Doug

[Executive45]

Sorry if I seemed a bit harsh...I didn't mean it that way...I just want you to be sure the coach you're looking at is correct. Strange things happen to coaches AFTER they leave the factory and/or the chassis mfg. Who knows...error on the side of caution and you should be ok...but I'd check the coach out very carefully, as something's not right....BOL....Dennis

[eric99]

moisheh wrote:
Are you sure that unit is a Sportscoach Elite? Is it a raised rail chassis? Just bolting up a 10,000 hitch to a MH does not make it a 10,000 lb. hitch. Maybe they reinforced the rear frame section for the heavier hitch. Our Dynast has a 10,000 lb. hitch and it is one beefy "mother". Our Bounder also had a 10,000 hitch and it was beefy. I think it was held to the frame with Huck bolts. You will need a good fabrication shop to install any hitch.

Moisheh

Moisheh,

Elite is written on the side of the motorhome.

If Freightliner says it left their factory with a 10k receiver for a hitch then I have to assume it's an Elite and that the chasis will handle 10k lbs.

I'm told it is on a raised rail chasis but I'd need to double check.

Eric

[moisheh]

Are you sure that unit is a Sportscoach Elite? Is it a raised rail chassis? Just bolting up a 10,000 hitch to a MH does not make it a 10,000 lb. hitch. Maybe they reinforced the rear frame section for the heavier hitch. Our Dynast has a 10,000 lb. hitch and it is one beefy "mother". Our Bounder also had a 10,000 hitch and it was beefy. I think it was held to the frame with Huck bolts. You will need a good fabrication shop to install any hitch.

Moisheh

[eric99]

Executive wrote:
I'm not sure why you're going to RVWeb et al for the info on similar coaches. What matters is the COACH YOU'RE LOOKING AT....:S.

Look INSIDE the coach and find the MFG sticker and use THOSE numbers. Everything else is simply speculation. Now if you're simply looking for feel good justification to increase your towing capacity to 10k then buy the 10k hitch, load her up and hit the road.....IMHO, and you've already expressed concern as to why someone would DOWNGRADE the hitch, there's some reason why THAT coach has a 5k hitch on it....your money, your coach, your safety..you choose...Dennis

Executive,

I fully intend to look at the data plates once I get back to the MH. The best information I have now says 10K is standard; not an option. And, I'm well within the GCWR for a 10k hitch.

You raise a good point and I'll see if the prior owner can be contacted to find out why the switch.

I'm also going to look real hard at the current hitch to make sure there isn't a 1 in front of the 5. Would make more sense if he upgraded to a 15k hitch to tow 12k lbs. I don't know, I'm just guessing. I just find it hard to believe he downgraded.

More info to follow 🙂

[Big_Katuna]

When I bought my 05 Fleetwood on a Freightliner XCS the sticker on the hitch said it was rated for 10000 pounds 1000 pound tongue weight.

About a year later I received a letter from FL along with a new sticker that said they derated the tongue weight to 500 pounds and if you towed over 5000 you had to have an equalizing weight distribution system.

It didn't affect me as all I towed was a Honda and sometimes a 2500 trailer.

But there were a few here that we're towing big car trailers that were affected and pi$$ed off.

I wonder if your chassis was mixed in that issue and just handled differently?

Have looked carefully at your sticker to see if there is an old underneath it?

[jauguston]

Dennis,

Freightliner says there chassis left the factory with a 10,000# hitch. It doesn't sound like he is trying to go into dangerous territory to me. I have the same coach with a 10,000# hitch.

Jim

[Executive45]

I'm not sure why you're going to RVWeb et al for the info on similar coaches. What matters is the COACH YOU'RE LOOKING AT....:S.

Look INSIDE the coach and find the MFG sticker and use THOSE numbers. Everything else is simply speculation. Now if you're simply looking for feel good justification to increase your towing capacity to 10k then buy the 10k hitch, load her up and hit the road.....IMHO, and you've already expressed concern as to why someone would DOWNGRADE the hitch, there's some reason why THAT coach has a 5k hitch on it....your money, your coach, your safety..you choose...Dennis

[eric99]

PastorCharlie wrote:
Here you go....on this Google search it is the third link down the PDF is for a 2007 year model like you are asking about and it is rated for a 10,000 lb. hitch. YOU MAY WANT TO SAVE IT FOR FUTURE INFORMATION.

GOOGLE KNOWS

Thanks! I've been looking for that.

[PastorCharlie]

Here you go....on this Google search it is the third link down the PDF is for a 2007 year model like you are asking about and it is rated for a 10,000 lb. hitch. YOU MAY WANT TO SAVE IT FOR FUTURE INFORMATION.

GOOGLE KNOWS

[jauguston]

They must have dropped the 10,000# one. The sticker on mine is still quite clear and not hard to read. I would give them a call and ask if they can still make you one.

Jim