I'm about to pull the trigger on a 2004 Forest River Sunseeker 2900, built on a Ford E450 chassis. My first RV of any type. This unit currently has a class 3 receiver hitch, presumably factory installed, with 500/5000 weight ratings stamped on it. I am planning to tow a small 2 horse trailer that weighs about 4850 lbs fully loaded.I have had a number of people tell me that I need to have a body shop reinforce the rear frame extensions before towing our horse trailer. I've gotten a number of reasons for this:- "RV manufacturers do a terrible job on this, never trust it"- "horses are different, they are LIVE weight, and put more strain on a vehicle".- "RV trailer towing ratings assume you are towing a car, which doesn't have significant tongue weight"- "you should use a weight distributing hitch, and the hitch and frame extensions aren't set up for that from the factory"My question is - do people regularly do this, and approximately how much should I expect it to cost?For what it's worth, I currently tow this trailer with an F150, no weight distributing hitch, and have had zero issues or concerns.

The only question is whether Forest River rates the RV at 500/5000. Some RVs have 500/5000 hitches but the RV is not rated to tow that (due to frame extensions, etc). Don't just go with what's on the hitch assembly.I'd try and get access to an owner's manual or contact FR.Be aware of your combined weight rating too.

Forest River rates capacity of hitch receivers in consultation with frame manufacturer. Yours is rated 5000 lbs. so you will be fine. Recently they just went to 7500 on the Ford chassis--first class C in industry approved by frame manufacturer.Just don't exceed the total cargo carrying capacity of your MH. Should be on a sticker on the drivers door jamb. A trip to a scale would be a good thing.

Dakzuki wrote:The only question is whether Forest River rates the RV at 500/5000. Some RVs have 500/5000 hitches but the RV is not rated to tow that (due to frame extensions, etc). Don't just go with what's on the hitch assembly.I'd try and get access to an owner's manual or contact FR.Be aware of your combined weight rating too.I contacted one service center who said that 2007+ are definitely rated for 500/5000, and he suspected 2004 would be as well, but couldn't say for sure.I have not been able to reach anyone at Forest River able to answer this question, so was hoping someone had first-hand experience.

You may be able to go on their website or do a search on that particular vehicle. I have been successful in finding owners manuals and even brochures for older vehicles you can download. Chances are the manufacturer won't have the information handy or you will get the run around. Just ask google, they should know.

Forest Rivers for a while now have maintained the full factory GCWR, which went up to 22,000 in 2012 I think.

Did you reinforce your frame extensions before towing?

carringb
Explorer
Sep 21, 2014
The TorqueShift transmission harness must also be disconnected.
Dakzuki
Explorer
Sep 21, 2014
Chopperbob wrote:
Disconnect the chasis battery.

Disconnect the house batteries too.
Chopperbob
Explorer
Sep 21, 2014
Disconnect the chasis battery.
klutchdust
Explorer II
Sep 20, 2014
What precautions are recommended before welding on the coach. Lots of electronics and chassis computers to consider.
AndyW
Explorer
Sep 20, 2014
rockhillmanor wrote:

Where in Wisconsin are you located?

Just south of Green Bay. If you know a good shop in the area that does this kind of work, I'd be interested. I'll probably start going through the phone book to get quotes later this week.
Dusty_R
Explorer
Sep 20, 2014
Also get the weight distrubtion hitch.
kaz442
Explorer
Sep 20, 2014
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/26354171/gotomsg/26354303.cfm#26354303

Here is how I did mine. Hope the link works. 7000 miles without a problem.

JKaz
rockhillmanor
Explorer
Sep 20, 2014
AndyW wrote:
I'm about to pull the trigger on a 2004 Forest River Sunseeker 2900, built on a Ford E450 chassis. My first RV of any type. This unit currently has a class 3 receiver hitch, presumably factory installed, with 500/5000 weight ratings stamped on it. I am planning to tow a small 2 horse trailer that weighs about 4850 lbs fully loaded.

I have had a number of people tell me that I need to have a body shop reinforce the rear frame extensions before towing our horse trailer.
I've gotten a number of reasons for this:

- "RV manufacturers do a terrible job on this, never trust it"
- "horses are different, they are LIVE weight, and put more strain on a vehicle".
- "RV trailer towing ratings assume you are towing a car, which doesn't have significant tongue weight"
- "you should use a weight distributing hitch, and the hitch and frame extensions aren't set up for that from the factory"

My question is - do people regularly do this, and approximately how much should I expect it to cost?

For what it's worth, I currently tow this trailer with an F150, no weight distributing hitch, and have had zero issues or concerns.

YES.

I bought my Class C from people who showed horses. They had a 2 place slant with full dressing room.

They showed me all what was done to the frame for the hitch and they had a class 7 hitch on it. As you know horses 'scramble' and empty RV trailer does not.

You need to ask that question what your RV requires from "HORSE" people who use their MH's to tow. That know what it means when a horse starts scrambling while you are driving down the road.! :W

Where in Wisconsin are you located?
carringb
Explorer
Sep 19, 2014
Forest Rivers for a while now have maintained the full factory GCWR, which went up to 22,000 in 2012 I think.
klutchdust
Explorer II
Sep 19, 2014
You may be able to go on their website or do a search on that particular vehicle. I have been successful in finding owners manuals and even brochures

for older vehicles you can download. Chances are the manufacturer won't have the information handy or you will get the run around. Just ask google,

they should know.