towing with a class c

[sunny_the_97_Su]

Howdy

I just bought a 1997 forest river sun seeker 2300 with 18,000 miles and the ford v10 on the e350 chassis

The hitch is rated at 3500 and I'm having trouble finding any others rated for more. Specifically I'd like to find a 10,000 lb rated one. Then I noticed that the factory frame has been extended 31` by butt welding and crosses plating.

Question: can safely beef up the frame and hitch to haul a 18 foot flat bed car hauler with my jeep wrangler? Total weight around 6000\7000 pounds with tongue weight around 500, if so, how?

Thanks!

[MikeRP]

🙂 I agree with that, I had to turn off auto correct on my iPhone cause i was getting some unusual corrections once in a while.

One thing is that I know my manufacturer has tested the 5000 lb hitch up to 7500 lb and even then the only failure was a eyelet on the safety chain system.

[MikeRP]

Is it rated at 19500?

[Mich_F]

MikeRP wrote:
You know I've heard about this frame extension worry many times, can someone give me one example of one failing
I really don't believe it. The manufacturers are not stupid. The extension is all likelihood will handle the full GCWR with ease.

I've never heard of a failure, yet many MH builders still won't rate their units at what the van builder rated the vehicle .
You stated earlier your MH is rated at full. GCWR. I have a 2014 MH that is rated for less than what the van is rated for.

** Trying to post on a "smart" phone is driving me crazy.

[MikeRP]

You know I've heard about this frame extension worry many times, can someone give me one example of one failing?

I really don't believe it. The manufacturers are not stupid. The extension is all likelihood will handle the full GCWR with ease.

MichF, I'm not saying its bad that you went the extra step and with a 1997 model, I'd want the structural integrity of the extension checked, however I do believe that there is a great deal of safety factor built in to these Coaches.

Now performance and the gearing on the E350 is another matter.

[Mich_F]

sunny the 97 Sunseek wrote:
Hey Dusty,

Anyway you could snap a pic of your hitch?

A weight distribution hitch will not work with your current situation. It would put more stress on that frame extension.

Sure you can do it, but there's no guarantee that frame extension won't give out.

[Dusty_R]

sunny the 97 Sunseek wrote:
Hey Dusty,

Anyway you could snap a pic of your hitch?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpVbheV-wTA

The above is a video of installing the wd hitch I have. The instructions that come with the hitch are a little more detailed.

I chose this model because all the other models use chains to hold up the ends of the spring bars which need to be fastened farther back on the trailer, and I have a tongue mounted box from TSC to carry tie downs cribbing etc. mounted where the chain hangers need to go.
With a hand crank operated jack this model hitch is more of a pain to hitch, but it is the only one that would work with my set up.

I don't do pictures on here, but I can e-mail them.
Right now I have a scaffold built on my trailer, working on the inside of my new shop.

Dusty

[rockhillmanor]

..

[MikeRP]

Go over on the first river Sunseeker forum. There's a lot of discussion with the manufacturer on the hitch ratings. You will have to search for different threads.

I caveat that an older model will need to be researched more than the new ones to catch their capability.

The new ones are rated right up to their GCWR of 22500 with no problems.I'm about 18500 with my Jeep Grand Cherokee.

[sunny_the_97_Su]

Hey Dusty,

Anyway you could snap a pic of your hitch?

[Mich_F]

rockhillmanor wrote:
You can beef up and weld this and weld that and bottom line you tow that much weight, car hauler and car, and you won't be able to get up the entrance ramp on the interstate with out your engine and tranny huffing and puffing. Can you tow it? Sure. But you sure won't have fun doing it.

He has a vehicle that Ford rated as 12,000 GVWRand a GCWR of 18,50. The only problem he has is because of the frame extension. He'll be close or over both those figures, but the van is rated to carry and tow a lot of weight.

[rockhillmanor]

You can beef up and weld this and weld that and bottom line you tow that much weight, car hauler and car, and you won't be able to get up the entrance ramp on the interstate with out your engine and tranny huffing and puffing. Can you tow it? Sure. But you sure won't have fun doing it.

[Mich_F]

I've yet to see a class C with a frame extension where the MH builder maintained the van manufacturers original ratings. I have a custom built hitch, tied into the main frame, on a 24' Coachmen. I'm down in Key Largo now in another motor home and can't come up with any pictures. That hitch is big/long.

[Dusty_R]

It's my understanding tongue weight should be 10 to 15% of total trailer weight.
I'm doing about what you want to do, and a friend talked me into going with a weight transfer hitch. What a huge improvement. It is also an anti-sway.

Dusty

[sunny_the_97_Su]

How doing find out if the frame extension is per ford specs? Does forest river usually do this?

[sunny_the_97_Su]

Thanks fellas!

According to the book on the chassis it is 12000 lb gvw and a 18,500 gvcw. I just weighed the coach and its 10,020 with me and 1/2 tank of gas and no water or gear.

My trailer states its 2000lb but a buddy says that's before wood boards, fenders , spare tire, etc So I'm guessing its closer to 2400. My jeep is a 2006 wrangler unlimited which is the extended two door that jeep only made for 3 years. I'm guessing its close to 4500, which is where I'm getting the 7000 lb total trail er weight.

So how can I figure tongue weight? How would a welding shop build a hitch and tie in into the frame?

Anybody got any pics?

I can flat tow but would rather not as this jeep has a 6 inch lift and 35 inch tires and 488 gears, much less friction to put it on a flatbed and less wear on the jeeps drive train, plus the trailer has electric brakes.....