Trumpet_Player
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Re: Towing
timmac wrote: Trumpet Player wrote: RLS7201 wrote: Ford rated your 17,000lb F53 chassis to tow 8,000lbs. Fleetwood derated your chassis when they installed frame extensions and installed a 3500lb receiver. If you take a look at the installation of the frame extensions, it may scare you. Have those frame extensions beefed up and add a 5000lb receiver and you'll be good to go with that truck. Richard Unfortunately, the recommendation to "beef up the frame extensions" is frankly one really bad piece of advice. As most probably know, the required federal certification sticker as issued by the completed vehicle manufacturer sets the maximum limits allowed for each vehicle. The fact is, if you were over the allowed gross combined weight (as you would be based on your description), having the modifications made as recommended above would actually work against you, if God forbid there were to be an accident. See, a first year law student could present the idea that clearly you knew you had an over capacity/weight issue and you attempted an unapproved modification to try and compensate for the conditions. That would then be turned on you to prove gross negligence on your part. You would also likely see your insurance carrier wash their hands of any liability coverage as a result. Sorry, that is just the way it works. I have testified many times on issues like these as a SME (Subject Matter Expert) and seen it happen. Beefing up the rear frame and adding a 5000 lb hitch on a chassis that is rated for up to 8000 towing is not a bad idea in my book, just make sure you have good toad brakes, safety chains, etc and I don't see a issue, I would only limit the towing to 5000 lbs.. I towed 6800 lbs behind my beefed up motorhome for over 3 years no issues.. When a drunk driver has a accident the insurance company is still on the hook even though the drunk driver knew he was in the wrong.. You really need to read the exclusions that are detailed in your contract/policy with your insurance carrier. You need to take a look at your contract/policy for its defined "exclusions" of coverage. You might look for the exclusion that states something to the effect of "bodily injury or property damage reasonably expected to arise out of an intentional act." Reasonably expected would include exceeding certified posted limits. An intentional act would clearly include the really bad idea of attempting an unapproved modification. You think that these insurance companies spend the time and money they do having 60 or so pages drawn up by their staff attorneys so they don't cover themselves? Think again.643Views0likes0CommentsRe: Towing
dodge guy wrote: FloridaRosebud wrote: Trumpet Player wrote: tropical36 wrote: gswcgi wrote: If you get into an accident while towing that much over your weighted limit your insurance company will probably tell you to get lost !! Granted, they may tell you to get lost, if they even have a clue as to weight being a factor or for maybe not wanting to renew your policy next time, but they will have to pay, regardless. "...but they will have to pay, regardless." I wouldn't be so sure about that. Have you ever read your contract/policy with your insurance carrier? Most people don't and that can be a GIANT mistake. You need to take a look at your contract/policy for its defined "exclusions" of coverage. You might look for the exclusion that states something to the effect of "bodily injury or property damage reasonably expected to arise out of an intentional act." Reasonably expected would include exceeding certified posted limits. You think that these insurance companies spend the time and money they do having 60 or so pages drawn up by their staff attorneys so they don't cover themselves? Think again. Unfortunately, Trumpet Player is correct. I work for insurance companies as an engineering consultant, and I can not tell you how many times I've seen claims turned down because of willful negligence on the insured. Al You mean like knowingly speeding or turning right on red? Dodge Guy, I believe that turning right on a red light after coming to a complete stop is legal in most states unless posted otherwise. But if you are concerned, you might want to check your local state driver's handbook? Also, if traveling out of state, you might want to check the laws of the states in which you plan to travel.642Views0likes0CommentsRe: Towing
tropical36 wrote: gswcgi wrote: If you get into an accident while towing that much over your weighted limit your insurance company will probably tell you to get lost !! Granted, they may tell you to get lost, if they even have a clue as to weight being a factor or for maybe not wanting to renew your policy next time, but they will have to pay, regardless. "...but they will have to pay, regardless." I wouldn't be so sure about that. Have you ever read your contract/policy with your insurance carrier? Most people don't and that can be a GIANT mistake. You need to take a look at your contract/policy for its defined "exclusions" of coverage. You might look for the exclusion that states something to the effect of "bodily injury or property damage reasonably expected to arise out of an intentional act." Reasonably expected would include exceeding certified posted limits. You think that these insurance companies spend the time and money they do having 60 or so pages drawn up by their staff attorneys so they don't cover themselves? Think again.643Views0likes0CommentsRe: Towing
dodge guy wrote: gswcgi wrote: If you get into an accident while towing that much over your weighted limit your insurance company will probably tell you to get lost !! No they won’t. Same could be said if you were speeding and got into an accident. Now that is a leap if I have ever seen one. Speeding compared to knowingly violating posted certification limits? I wouldn't be so sure about your answer if I were you. And you know this how?475Views0likes0CommentsRe: Towing
RLS7201 wrote: Ford rated your 17,000lb F53 chassis to tow 8,000lbs. Fleetwood derated your chassis when they installed frame extensions and installed a 3500lb receiver. If you take a look at the installation of the frame extensions, it may scare you. Have those frame extensions beefed up and add a 5000lb receiver and you'll be good to go with that truck. Richard Unfortunately, the recommendation to "beef up the frame extensions" is frankly one really bad piece of advice. As most probably know, the required federal certification sticker as issued by the completed vehicle manufacturer sets the maximum limits allowed for each vehicle. The fact is, if you were over the allowed gross combined weight (as you would be based on your description), having the modifications made as recommended above would actually work against you, if God forbid there were to be an accident. See, a first year law student could present the idea that clearly you knew you had an over capacity/weight issue and you attempted an unapproved modification to try and compensate for the conditions. That would then be turned on you to prove gross negligence on your part. You would also likely see your insurance carrier wash their hands of any liability coverage as a result. Sorry, that is just the way it works. I have testified many times on issues like these as a SME (Subject Matter Expert) and seen it happen.476Views0likes0CommentsRe: New Tires, should the lug nuts have a re-tighening check?
So, when you purchase a car, truck or motorhome new, who rechecks the torque after it leaves the factory? No one. Now, the real issue is, did the tire installer at the local tire shop or roadside service actually use a torque wrench? Was it set to the proper torque? That should be the real question. I have been in the truck business for 30+ years. The real issue is making sure the job is done correctly each time a wheel is removed.969Views0likes0CommentsRe: Towing weight limit
dougrainer wrote: The WEIGHT/LOAD limit for the HITCH is what the HITCH is designed for and the Chassis mount/frame is designed for. You CANNOT just add a 10k hitch and think you are OK. Some Chassis/Frames you can install a 10k hitch but you must first find out from the Chassis maker if that is possible. If NOT, you can go to a certified welder and have him beef up the rear chassis/Frame to allow a 10k hitch to be installed. Doug Well... I was with this all the way UNTIL the foolish idea of taking a coach to a certified welder somehow changes engineered weight ratings. There is not a welder, certified or not on the planet that can re-rate the specifications set by the chassis manufacturer. Additionally, my guess is that most welders don't have enough liability insurance to be able to stand behind their work should there be a serious accident and God forbid, there is a loss of life. A lot of the nonsense advice given here could well cause someone to get themselves in a great deal of trouble. Unless I missed it reading through these posts (and that is possible), not one mentioned the federal requirements for weight ratings that are posted inside every coach. The one that is important in this case is GCWR or Gross Combined Weight Rating. The definition for that rating is as follows: "GCWR (Gross Combination Weight Rating) is the maximum allowable combined weight of the tow vehicle and the attached towed vehicle. GCWR assumes that both vehicles have functioning brakes, with exceptions in some cases for very light towed vehicles (less than 1,500 lbs). Check your chassis manual or manufacturer towing guide." Follow the ratings engineered by the chassis manufacturer and stay out of trouble and out of lawsuits. Really pretty simple.428Views0likes0Comments
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