A few people on here wanted to know what was done on my motorhome chassis and hitch to tow well over 5000 lbs safe and with out harm to motorhome.Two 6 x 3 tubes about 5 foot long welded with four 4 inch round tubes into one solid piece like a ladder and slide over hitch after some fiberglass was cut and slid all the way to factory frame, welded to Ford factory frame and Fleetwood extension frame and welded to hitch with extra supports on hitch welded for more strength.The metal tubes are thick like 8 gauge metal and treated with under coat paint so not to rust, it can tow up to 7500 lbs with 750 lb tonged weight and no more wiggle in back of RV or frame bending from to much weight, also air bags in back to keep it all level.Weight police please don't troll this thread..Most gas motorhomes just have a light gauge frame extension from chassis frame to back of motorhome put there by the motorhome manufacture and that's usually why it has only 5000 lb towing and 500 lb tonged weight, but when you beef up the back of motorhome and beef up the hitch you can safely add to the towing weight as long as your gas motorhome is not so big like mine and has lots of extra carrying weight.

You can see the two 6 x 3 inch tubes sticking out the back of motorhome, the back is so stiff I have no wiggle while towing 6000 lbs and over 650 lbs of tonged weight, the drop hitch is rated for 10,000 lbs with 1000 lb tonged and 10,000 lb safety chains..

Well Sir, I've done a ton of fabrication in my life and, that's pretty good think'in. Cutting away the lower section of the fiberglass is not something that many would take lightly. But, in cases like this, it's the ticket to some added weight carrying capability. It's fun to be able to create and, at the same time, accomplish a very needed goal. Nice job. By the way, what kind/brand of ball mount and related parts is that and, where did it come from? I've seen adjustable height trailer balls before but, not that style. That's kind-a unique. ScottP.S. On edit: This is not criticism by any means but, if it were mine, I'd have capped off those 6" tubes and finished them off. Maybe you're going to and just haven't done it yet. Outstanding!

I bought the drop hitch at Cal Ranch Store here in Vegas, cant remember the company name on hitch but it was American made and made to work hard.

I forgot to ask 'cause I'm curious. What's the axle weight rating on the trailer axles? That is an ultra short car hauler. Was it made just for the Jeep or, is this a common length for that particular trailer maker? And, that appears to be one seriously heavy duty tongue jack! what's it's rated capacity? Scott

FIRE UP wrote:I forgot to ask 'cause I'm curious. What's the axle weight rating on the trailer axles? That is an ultra short car hauler. Was it made just for the Jeep or, is this a common length for that particular trailer maker? And, that appears to be one seriously heavy duty tongue jack! what's it's rated capacity? ScottCustom made just for the TJ Jeep and for a small boat, they are two 5000 lb axels and the tongue jack is rated for 5000 lbs and you can move the trailer by turning the crank and it has built in break to stop trailer.Here is link to the jack sitehttps://www.trailervalet.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/trailer-valet_800x800.jpg

Some Have Asked So Now I Have Pics | Good Sam Community

FIRE_UP
Explorer
Apr 08, 2016
Trumpet Player wrote:
timmac wrote:
sososixmpg wrote:
LOOK GOOD!!! I would be very concerned about the axel bearings on this. The manufacture of this coach has had all the weights figured in to the best acceptable ratings. That said... Rear axel problems are on the horizon.

Yes I did factor that in on this setup, my axel is 13,500lbs and that's on a 32 foot motorhome, so I have plenty of extra carrying weight on the back, I also don't have the motorhome loaded with lots of stuff inside, just basics, I also have the Jeep sitting almost center over the trailer axels so my tonged weight is not as heavy as you would think.

And he is still over the MAXIMUM GCWR for his coach no matter what he does.

Well,
I for one, would not hesitate to travel with him, in front of him, behind him, etc. Been in that same situation and, know how he's done what he's done. No biggie.
Scott
timmac
Explorer
Apr 07, 2016
sososixmpg wrote:
LOOK GOOD!!! I would be very concerned about the axel bearings on this. The manufacture of this coach has had all the weights figured in to the best acceptable ratings. That said... Rear axel problems are on the horizon.

Yes I did factor that in on this setup, my axel is 13,500lbs and that's on a 32 foot motorhome, so I have plenty of extra carrying weight on the back, I also don't have the motorhome loaded with lots of stuff inside, just basics, I also have the Jeep sitting almost center over the trailer axels so my tonged weight is not as heavy as you would think.
sososixmpg
Explorer
Apr 07, 2016
LOOK GOOD!!! I would be very concerned about the axel bearings on this. The manufacture of this coach has had all the weights figured in to the best acceptable ratings. That said... Rear axel problems are on the horizon. Same as letting a coach sitting to long in one spot, bearings will flat spot with the weight... just saying! Your job does look real good, just saying. Good luck.
lafrentz
Explorer
Mar 27, 2016
Timmac looking at your pictures and as a welder/ fabricater etc there is no law man in this world that would fault your set up
looks great and looks very safe to me.I laugh at the one poster saying to grind +re weld the cold weld. haha its not the golden gate bridge here now LOL
timmac
Explorer
Mar 27, 2016
Kayteg1 wrote:
Looks like strong design, but I would weight the axles with trailer attached.
Picture can dissort proportion, but looks like 500 lb tongue weight can take 500lb off front axle, while adding 1000lb to rear axle.

I have my tongue weight low, I don't have the Jeep all the way forward on trailer, its almost center over trailer axles, when loading the Jeep my motorhome back only lowers about 1/2 of a inch but that is after I raised it a inch with the airbags before trailer weight, I played with air bag pressure to find what was needed to keep from removing to much weight in front and at 70lbs it keeps my motorhome level as if no trailer tonged weight at all.
Ductape
Explorer
Mar 27, 2016
Thanks for sharing, I also upgraded the hitch on our rig, but fortunately did not have the frame extensions to deal with.

You'll never get a pass from the WP around here. They do a service for the newbies, but mods are beyond their comprehension and not allowed by the "rules".
Kayteg1
Explorer II
Mar 27, 2016
Looks like strong design, but I would weight the axles with trailer attached.
Picture can dissort proportion, but looks like 500 lb tongue weight can take 500lb off front axle, while adding 1000lb to rear axle.
Also the weld on this picture looks like cold weld. It should be grind off and reweld.
Mike_Hohnstein
Explorer
Mar 26, 2016
Some say it's a good idea to loosen the body bolts @ the back of the frame to save the side walls from chassis flex.
timmac
Explorer
Mar 26, 2016
Trumpet Player wrote:
FIRE UP wrote:

To the posters on here this guy claims he has called the Nevada highway patrol on me for my safe set-up, just cant understand why some old grumps got to be weight police..

Because Timmac, there are clueless people born every minute. There are the ones that are seriously jealous because they have no talent for creation, no ability to solve problems, no ability to adapt, no ability to overcome certain situations and work around things. They cannot sit down and reason something out and think, "How can I make this work?".

So, their answer is, "I'll just turn this guy in" instead of saying, "Nice job, that's great you have the ability to address your issue of wanting to carry with you, whatever you can, to have fun on this planet".
Scott

You are so right. There are clueless people born every minute and some of the responses here prove that point. Some, also have a great deal of experience, formal education and certifications on these issues. Then there are those that don't really understand any of it.

One last thought, you might not want to believe everything you read from some folks.

Hey lbligh/Trumpet Player why did you change your RV.net name, I bet I know why ?? :p
timmac
Explorer
Mar 22, 2016
lbligh wrote:

One last thought, you might not want to believe everything you read from some folks.

What part are people not to believe, I have a message from you in my inbox that you have notified your so called friend in the Nevada Highway Patrol to look out for my RV and trailer because I am unsafe and over weight, do I need to copy it and post it..