Source for Class IV hitch for W24 chassis

[Nonno]

Anybody know where I can get a Class IV hitch for the W24 chassis. Looking for a bolt on that does not require any chassis modification.

[Nonno]

Anybody know where I can get a Class IV hitch for the W24 chassis. Looking for a bolt on that does not require any chassis modification.

[alvinc]

Didn't the Adventurer come with a hitch already installed? Assuming the answer is yes, this implies that you want upgrade the capacity of the existing hitch beyond 5000 lbs.

Upgrading the hitch capacity is tricky business because it brings into play not only the weight restrictions dictated by GVWR, GCWR, CCC, etc, but also the chassis extension that was added by Winnebago. Winnebago added extensions to the chassis to support the house as well as provide a mounting point for the hitch. This extension was designed for the needs of the house and a 5000 lb hitch.

If you want to increase the hitch capacity, even ignoring the weight restrictions, you will need to have the frame extension reinforced. From the postings I have seen, it is often very difficult to find anyone that is willing to do this and warranty the work.

As to where to get a bolt on hitch? My understanding was that the RV manufacturers make the best deal they can on a hitch with the desired rating, then build the frame extension to match the hitch.

So far, all I've done is give reasons why upgrading the hitch is a bad or difficult idea, and I apologize. Hitch and tow limitations is one restriction that we gas Class A owners must live with (our RV's are cheaper). I have often wondered why there are not more gas Class A with shorter (than 37 ft) boxes that have a 6000 or 7500 lb tow capacity.

[Nonno]

Alvin,

Yes, it came with a Class III 5000lb hitch. Reason I'm looking to upgrade is that I was considering my 5280lbs (CAT Certified) 2007 Chrysler Aspen as a toad. Some have said don't worry about it the Class III will work. However in case of accident I don't think those that write tickets and authorize insurance payments would agree.

The 37B on a W24 is tow rated for 6000lbs so I'm within both the GVWR and GCWR. If I find one, it will have to fit without modification or I will not do it. The width of the rails for installing is 39 1/2". If I'm not mistaken Winnebago uses Class IV hitches on DP and I think it may be the correct width but I need to verify that. I did call Winnebago about their Class IV's but they only recommend the Class III. I'm wondering if their reasoning is that they are concerned that having a hitch rated for 10,000lbs I might want to ignore the 6000lb limit.

Another problem I'm having is that Demco (I have their tow bar) doesn't have a baseplate for the Aspen. Called Blue Ox and they expect to have it available sometime in April but that would involve a new tow bar.

May have to go to Plan B and get a smaller toad.

[alvinc]

I would still be concerned about the frame extension rating. According to Winnebago it is 5000 lbs.

With respect to the 10000 lb hitch, when we were looking for RV's I saw lots of Class C's that had 5000 lb Class III hitches. Many of them were derated to 3500 lbs in the spec sheets, as well as stickers on the hitch. De-rating the hitch is common.

If you put a larger hitch in, a sharp accident investigator could still determine that you were towing in excess of the manufacturer's limits and you did nothing to improve the frame extension.

Hate to see you have to get something else to tow, but that may be the best solution.

[DonavonP]

Bob, I called Rigid Hitch up here in Burnsville, MN. Talked to a Jesse at X 242 (1-800-624-7630). He wants to help you find a hitch. He needs the inside and outside measurements of the frame rail and the type of frame rail. They don't show an exact replacement in a class 4 but he says sometimes they can match one for you in a different application.

You may need to order it through one of their dealers out in your neck of the woods.

Would like to hear your opinion of the Aspen after you've had it for awhile.

[Nonno]

Alvin,
I appreciate the info about the extension. Don't understand why they advertise the 37B for 6000 lbs towing but only put an extension and hitch rated for 5000. Will definitly check this out because I don't want to solve one problem and create another.

We may have to go back to our original plan which was to replace my Avalanche with a towable vehicle under 5000 lbs. Hadn't even considered the Aspen for towing until after we got it and I discovered it was towable 4 down and its weight (5280) was under the limit for the MH. Was looking at the Nissan Frontier.

[Nonno]

Donavon,

Thanks for the contact. Will check it out.

Will let you know about the Aspen. So far with only 3000 miles on it, we love it.

[LanceMan]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Bob Russo:
Alvin,
I appreciate the info about the extension. Don't understand why they advertise the 37B for 6000 lbs towing but only put an extension and hitch rated for 5000. Will definitly check this out because I don't want to solve one problem and create another.

We may have to go back to our original plan which was to replace my Avalanche with a towable vehicle under 5000 lbs. Hadn't even considered the Aspen for towing until after we got it and I discovered it was towable 4 down and its weight (5280) was under the limit for the MH. Was looking at the Nissan Frontier. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Bob,
Same here. Damon advertises a 6k lb tow rating but then puts a Putnam 5k lb hitch on the rig...at least on my Outlaw anyway. When I run the numbers my coach could tow 6k lbs but then I would be exceeding the hitch rating. I won't do that. -Walt

[Nonno]

Walt,

The irony here is that the Aspen has a Class IV hitch and a towing capacity of 8750 lbs.

Maybe I should put a baseplate on the MH and push it instead of pull it!