Towing with a 31' Class C, frame questions
I have a 2001 Coachmen Leprechaun 305MB 31' Class C on the E450 chassis and the V10. Was planning on hauling some ATV's this upcoming weekend and noticed that hitch rating was for 3500/350 tongue wei...
Forum Discussion
Frame Stretching (wheelbase) and Extending (rear overhang) used to be an ad-hoc thing, done on the whim of the coach builders. But for years now, they are following standards published by Ford. And those standards preserve the OEM rating of the CHASSIS.
That said, the amount of rear overhang in a 31 ft Class C is a LOT. In our case it's 10-11 feet and our wheelbase is 218 inches. That means it may not be a good thing to apply 500 pounds of hitch ball weight.
I think that what the 5000 and 7500 pound hitches offer, in addition to heavier material, is more "bearing" onto the frame. And maybe additional bolts, spacers and backing plates.
Please be sure to NOT extend the Drawbar. The rating is based on a standard length "ball mount" or whatever you call it. Lengthening it or using a Lift/Drop adapter weakens the system.
That said, the amount of rear overhang in a 31 ft Class C is a LOT. In our case it's 10-11 feet and our wheelbase is 218 inches. That means it may not be a good thing to apply 500 pounds of hitch ball weight.
I think that what the 5000 and 7500 pound hitches offer, in addition to heavier material, is more "bearing" onto the frame. And maybe additional bolts, spacers and backing plates.
Please be sure to NOT extend the Drawbar. The rating is based on a standard length "ball mount" or whatever you call it. Lengthening it or using a Lift/Drop adapter weakens the system.
