1995 Bounder 36' increasing towing cap 3500 to 5,000 lbs
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โSep-08-2020 01:58 PM
1....I want to increase the towing capacity from 3,500 to 5,000 pounds so I can tow my 4300 pound Explorer in the mountains of Colorado and beyond. I figured if I could add 1500 pounds of capacity, I might have a hope of making it over the passes and more important being able to stop heading down the other side towing the Explorer on a light trailer or front wheel dolly. I don't think it's safe to tow all four down with the full time 4WD and a transfer case.
2... Is it going to be possible to add heat to the tanks and plumbing and make it at least single digit temperature proof?
Thanks in advance for your advice.
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โSep-12-2020 11:17 AM
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โSep-11-2020 03:59 PM
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โSep-09-2020 12:59 PM
Sold 04 Dynasty to our son after 14 great years.
Upgraded with a 08 HR Navigator 45โ...
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โSep-09-2020 10:34 AM
Starshipcommander wrote:
Thanks to all who weighed in. What does the gallery think of this? Beef up every system?
1. Go to slotted and cross drilled and ventilated brake rotors front and either convert the rear to disc or go to the next bigger size of drums.
2. Add say 25% more volume radiator
3. Beef up the Hitch to a 5 or better yet 10k
4. Install an oil cooler and transmission cooler
5. Lower the rear end ratio or replace the entire rear axle with something bigger, beefier and have a push button locking differential
6. Replace the fuel delivery system with state of the art in 2020 fuel injection
7. Replace stock exhaust with headers going into an oversized single pipe
I have so little money in this rig that I could add these improvements one at a time. Any comments on the ideas?
Sell the motorhome if you already bought it and cut your losses, get a newer motorhome like 2000 or newer than you wont need improvements for towing 5000 pounds.
In 2006 Ford did lots of good improvements to the chassis, better motor and transmission, better cooling and radiator, better suspension and brakes and can tow 5000 pound..
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โSep-09-2020 09:39 AM
Starshipcommander wrote:
Thanks to all who weighed in. What does the gallery think of this? Beef up every system?
1. Go to slotted and cross drilled and ventilated brake rotors front and either convert the rear to disc or go to the next bigger size of drums.
2. Add say 25% more volume radiator
3. Beef up the Hitch to a 5 or better yet 10k
4. Install an oil cooler and transmission cooler
5. Lower the rear end ratio or replace the entire rear axle with something bigger, beefier and have a push button locking differential
6. Replace the fuel delivery system with state of the art in 2020 fuel injection
7. Replace stock exhaust with headers going into an oversized single pipe
I have so little money in this rig that I could add these improvements one at a time. Any comments on the ideas?
You didn't mention beefing up the frame. The stock extensions are rated at the current hitch. Your frame would need some re-engineering.
Playing devil's advocate, sounds like you spent very little money on this rig and that's fine. But even if you do every single upgrade - which by the way may still not work - it will add nothing to the value of the motor home. If you plan on keeping this a long time it's a moot point, but you won't get your money back out of it.
If it were me - and I understand I am not you - the money spent on all these upgrades that may still not work, could be spent on an RV already built that will work. Or a TOAD that this one can handle.
Jeff - 2023 FR Sunseeker 2400B MBS
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โSep-09-2020 09:17 AM
1. Go to slotted and cross drilled and ventilated brake rotors front and either convert the rear to disc or go to the next bigger size of drums.
2. Add say 25% more volume radiator
3. Beef up the Hitch to a 5 or better yet 10k
4. Install an oil cooler and transmission cooler
5. Lower the rear end ratio or replace the entire rear axle with something bigger, beefier and have a push button locking differential
6. Replace the fuel delivery system with state of the art in 2020 fuel injection
7. Replace stock exhaust with headers going into an oversized single pipe
I have so little money in this rig that I could add these improvements one at a time. Any comments on the ideas?
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โSep-09-2020 06:14 AM
If this guy can do this out west with what I think is a 460, then it should be possible with what you have in mind!
Son Brandon 17yrs
Daughter Marissa 16yrs
Dog Bailey
12 Forest River Georgetown 350TS Hellwig sway bars, BlueOx TrueCenter stabilizer
13 Ford Explorer Roadmaster Stowmaster 5000, VIP Tow>
A bad day camping is
better than a good day at work!
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โSep-09-2020 06:01 AM
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โSep-09-2020 05:24 AM
Jeff - 2023 FR Sunseeker 2400B MBS
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โSep-08-2020 07:26 PM
All your storage bays, with water in them, are heated by the front furnace. Problem being, Fleetwood did a poor job on the return air. You are probably good to the lower 20s. If you are going to be in a campground in the cold, add a 100 watt light bulb to the two bays with the tanks in them. I modified the return airs on my 33 ft bounder and have survive -7ยฐF.
Richard
2013 CRV Toad
2 Segways in Toad
First brake job
1941 Hudson
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โSep-08-2020 07:03 PM
As for the Explorer, it cannot be towed on a tow dolly as it is a rear wheel drive vehicle when not in 4 wheel. Check the owners manual for recreational towing procedures. There are other factors to consider for towing. Year, transfer case, transmission, etc.
Just my two cent opinion..
Keep on Truckin (It's a 70s thing)
2022 HR Vacationer 35K (Ford Chassis)
2007 Jeep Liberty Limited 4x4 (Toad)
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โSep-08-2020 02:56 PM
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โSep-08-2020 02:29 PM
You will need to add a new class 3 hitch with 5000 lb rating and have the rear frame extension beefed up by a welder, the biggest weak spot is the added rear frame extension from Fleetwood.
A 4 wheel car hauler trailer will add about 2000 pounds, you cant do that even with a bigger hitch, you could do a tow dolly..
Or buy a smaller SUV or car that can be flat towed that weights under 4000 pounds..
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โSep-08-2020 02:13 PM