What trailer hitch do I order?

twainharteartist wrote:

LChambers wrote:
My 32' Coachmen had the light duty hitch as well. I had a brand new 5K hitch for an F350 laying around, So I installed it. It tapers as it comes back, so I welded it down both sides to the MH frame and installed gussets and support struts for the frame. My 16' inclosed weighs about 3500lb loaded, the ol' F53 towed like it wasn't even back there. Just install a good digital brake controller.

Thanks My trailer has the electric braking set up too. I carry my tools in the motorhome so the only thing in the trailer is the car ( RX7 stripped down race car)2100 lbs. and some carb jets no spares other then two tires and a floor jack. Maybe 4K lbs.total.

That's not bad. My buddy had a 26' P-chassis that he pulled a 20' enclosed with. When we would travel to races together we had it loaded (2 drag bikes, 4-wheeler, big gen, tools, and gear)Only issue was wind push by big trucks when they passed.

LChambers wrote:
My 32' Coachmen had the light duty hitch as well. I had a brand new 5K hitch for an F350 laying around, So I installed it. It tapers as it comes back, so I welded it down both sides to the MH frame and installed gussets and support struts for the frame. My 16' inclosed weighs about 3500lb loaded, the ol' F53 towed like it wasn't even back there. Just install a good digital brake controller.

Thanks My trailer has the electric braking set up too. I carry my tools in the motorhome so the only thing in the trailer is the car ( RX7 stripped down race car)2100 lbs. and some carb jets no spares other then two tires and a floor jack. Maybe 4K lbs.total.

My 32' Coachmen had the light duty hitch as well. I had a brand new 5K hitch for an F350 laying around, So I installed it. It tapers as it comes back, so I welded it down both sides to the MH frame and installed gussets and support struts for the frame. My 16' inclosed weighs about 3500lb loaded, the ol' F53 towed like it wasn't even back there. Just install a good digital brake controller.

Thanks guys my rig has a 3500 lbs. hitch now I would be happy to increases it to 5000 lbs. that should be enough. If I could go to 10,000 lbs. I would but I don't need to go that heavy.

No need to build a hitch/receiver. Etrailer, hitchweb etc sell hitches to fit your chassis. No need for an adjustable width in most cases.

There are likely lots of pre-fabricated hitches available. Measure the outside dimension of your frame rails and buy one to fit. Measure carefully. Look for obstructions such as tabs on the frame, cross members and such like that might get in the way.

If you have a Ford Chassis then your frame width should be 34 inches. When searching for a hitch to fit a Ford Chassis select your year then select a F650 or F550 truck, stripped chassis. The selector tool should then show you hitches to fit a 34 inch frame.

When the selector tool shows the hitch options you can click the specification tab to see the dimensions of the hitch.

The previous posters are correct. Finding a hitch is no problem. The problem is that you can't exceed the towing capacity specified for your coach. No sense changing hitches unless the coach allows for a higher capacity.

Greg, the manufacture has extended the rear of the MH, past the existing frame, and certified it to carry a certain load. It has an engineering cert to meet DOT requirements. The original chassis certainly can tow more weight and carry a heaver tongue weight with no overheating problems. The frame extension is the problem. You certainly can do this on your own, but you will be assuming the responsibly.

And no, I'm not the weight police.

Your rear frame extensions maybe your weak link. I have seen extensions cracked from trailer towing.

HD trailer hitches usually jump from 5000 lb to 10,000+ lb ratings.

etrailer.com has RV/truck Class V hitch for about $200.
http://www.etrailer.com/p-15901.html
Measure carefully.
The only adjustable width RV hitches I remember are only 5000 lb max. IF you buy an adjustable width make sure you weld the hitch with frame welder at the adjustment points. (Voice of experience talking)

I've never sided with the weight police who usually show up on this site, especially, if you're talking about increasing your tow capacity 500 to 1000 pounds, but you're talking about doubling yours. That MH was never made to tow that much weight and there isn't much you can do to change that.

Tow capacity is computed by a combination of weight, hitch, brakes, engine, transmission, cooling system and geometry. You can't just add a bigger hitch and expect to tow anything you want.

You'll never find a hitch built for your mh certified for what you want to do. You have to reenforce the frame yourself and build your own hitch an no,it won,t be certified.

The hitch may not be the limiting factor. It may be the MH frame that is not designed or stressed for more weight. What does the manual say?