Towing with a 31' Class C, frame questions

[haggs1974]

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 weight. I have read a ton on the reason for this (frame extension/flex ect.) but am curious how weak the frame extension really is. My trailer load comes in at roughly 4000/400 on an open 18' dual axle trailer with brakes on all 4. Is the hitch really only rated for 3500? Looks pretty beefy for just that. Am I in danger of any real frame flex by running with that load? For this trip I am going to drop a 500lb quad so there won't be any issues, but I guess looking into the future, if I add the proper hitch and get some frame reinforcements, will I be good to go or are there still going to be issues? Thanks!!!

[rjstractor]

Your biggest potential issue is rear axle weight. 31 footers built on an E450 are close to RGAWR empty. I use to have a 29 footer with no slides, and while loaded for camping I would be over on the rear axle if the dog went to the back to take a nap. Tires are a limiting factor and a common failure point when running heavy. A weight distribution hitch can help alleviate this problem, but your frame extensions are unlikely to handle the stress that a WD hitch will add. If I were in your shoes and willing to spend some $$ to upgrade the capacity of your rig I would:

Upgrade tires and wheels- the Rickson wheels 17.5" package is spendy but will end any worry of running tires over capacity.

Take the rig to a good, independent hitch shop and explain what you want to tow, have them assess your rig's frame and hitch to see what modifications will help you handle the load safely, including frame, hitch and/or suspension upgrades.

Now, card-carrying members of the Weight Police may argue that all of these mods will not change your stock capacities, and I suppose they are right to a point. But no one can really argue that upgrading frame, suspension, tires and hitch will make whatever amount of weight you choose to tow easier and safer.

[Mich_F]

haggs1974 wrote:
After looking in the owners manual, it appears I have a GCVWR of 26,000lbs, and a GVWR of 18,000lbs, and an UVWR of 15,019lbs.

I don't believe those are the correct numbers. The newest E 450's have a 14,500# GVWR and a 22,000# GCWR. :?

Oops - didn't realize there was a page 2 when I posted. 😮

[haggs1974]

Yeah it does seem high, I'm just going by whats in the owners manual that came with it. Do those frame braces sound factory or aftermarket? If I could figure out how to post pictures I would add one.

[j-d]

haggs1974 wrote:
After looking in the owners manual, it appears I have a GCVWR of 26,000lbs, and a GVWR of 18,000lbs, and an UVWR of 15,019lbs.

Something ain't right here. Either your Chassis is NOT an E-450, or you have the weight label from some other coach, perhaps a Class A on F-53

For 2001, E-450 GVWR is 14050, GCWR 22000, and UVW (depending on coach bulder and model) probably 11000-12500

E450 from 2008 and newer, GVWR upped to 14500 with CGWR 22000 leaving a max towing capacity of 7500

[haggs1974]

That was my thought, ot looks pretty beefy. I will say though that if the extension that is welded onto these things is just that butt weld it looks very weak! No wonder they need support!

[enblethen]

Sounds like it should handle a heavier tongue weight trailer.
I would go buy a hitch shop fabricator to be sure!
Still think you may want an equalizer hitch and not just a drawbar.

[haggs1974]

I was mistaken, it is an L shaped bracket that runs along the side and the bottom and extends roughly 1 foot on either side of where the extension is welded to the main part of the frame. On the side there are six slots where it goes to the main frame where it is welded as well as a bunch of welds along the top part of that piece of iron. It is not welded on the bottom at all. Despite being a 31 foot RV, my extensions are only 4 feet from the main frame it's self. The brace that goes across is roughly a foot and a half from the tow hitch and is just welded to the top of the frame in the bottom of the frame going across. If I knew what a stock extension from the factory look like I could tell if these were added on as pricing for part of the extension package. It is a good set up however not if it is supposed to be factory LOL

[haggs1974]

It runs on the outside of the frame, a larger c-channel covering over the frame that is roughly 1/4 thick. The brace is well after the extension connection, only about 2 feet from the hitch. Not sure if a larger hitch was offered or not, but from what I have read there was one. I would think with the ratings that the rv has a larger hitch could be installed

[enblethen]

Is the C channel parallel to the frame?
What size is it?
What size are the welds?
The cross brace, is it before or after the frame extension?
Most frame modifications are done at the coach manufacturer prior to the rig going in to have body affixed.
Did Coachman offer a heavier hitch option in your year?

[haggs1974]

After looking in the owners manual, it appears I have a GCVWR of 26,000lbs, and a GVWR of 18,000lbs, and an UVWR of 15,019lbs. It mentions that my GCVWR may differ depending on the hitch that is attached. Reading that logic would dictate that I could safely add a class 3 hitch rated at 5000/500 and be fine without frame reinforcement and still be under GCVWR? Also looking at the frame I can see where the frame extension is butt welded to the original, but there is also a large piece of c-channel covering that entire piece and welded in. Then there is a cross brace roughly 2 ft from the back near the hitch. Is this factory or reinforced?

[haggs1974]

Thanks for the replies, I had not intended to use a drawbar, just the standard hitch into the receiver. I figure I'm pretty close to what the tow rating is now, and with the frame reinforcement I should be good to go. I know the drivetrain will handle it, just want to make sure I don't start yanking stuff off the walls inside. The PO towed 3000#'s on a car dolly for thousands of miles with no ill affects, I just want to make sure I do everything I can to make it as strong as possible.

[enblethen]

The frame needs to be inspected. If the coach people used a standard butt weld for extension, it needs to have reinforcing plates added.
That is a lot of weight to be added. It will take weight off the front end. You may need to get an equalizing hitch.

[j-d]

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.