Tongue weight

[Ron & Dee]

The specs for the trailer hitch says 500 lbs tongue weight.

If I have almost 500 lbs combined weight on the trailer hitch; power wheel chair, bicycle,rack and misc. items, would I need to beef up the rear suspension of the MH?

Thanks,

Ron

[Ron & Dee]

The specs for the trailer hitch says 500 lbs tongue weight.

If I have almost 500 lbs combined weight on the trailer hitch; power wheel chair, bicycle,rack and misc. items, would I need to beef up the rear suspension of the MH?

Thanks,

Ron

[DriVer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Ron & Dee:
... would I need to beef up the rear suspension of the MH? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Depending on the construction layout on the rear of your motorhome you may not be able to force the issue.

Some MFGs use a frame extension made from smaller dimension steel than the main rail.

IF you have direct access to the frame rail, you might want to consider a Class IV hitch. I believe this hitch will allow for 1,000 of tongue weight HOWEVER you have to calculate how much weight you need to carry (plus) what your motorhome already weighs and figure how that's going to affect the GAWRR.

You can't exceed the gross axle weight rating rear AND whatever you do, you can't exceed the GVW & the GCWR.

You may only have a 12,000 rating on your rear axle IF you are P series. The rating on a W series 13,500 standard and 14.5K optional.

[John-D]

There are two specs, In the case of my intruder both the chassis manual and the hitch say 500 lbs hitch weight. I normally have perhaps 100 pounds on the hitch but have had more in the past. (about 200) and sometimes put it up to around 400 pounds but I'm not moving when it gets that high (Explanation, I'm 330 pounds, can't drive when standing on hitch gear)

You should not have to beef up anything up to 500 pounds. In fact you should be able to put 1,000 on that hitch but please do not.

[Ron & Dee]

Thanks Driver,

I have never had the MH weighed

We usually run fully loaded for two people and 3 cats with provision for at least two weeks before we have to restock, so we are pretty well loaded.

I'll have to look up the weight ratings and roughly calculate the added weight to see if I'm over weight or not.

What do the MH manufactures use for criteria to figure GCWR?

Ron

[TandW]

Ron & Dee; Please don't exceed your hitch rating. It is not safe, legal, or insurable if you do so. Also, on your rig 500# on the hitch puts 650# &lt; OR &gt; on the rear axle. The front axle will be lighter by about 150#. Good Luck!!

[Ron & Dee]

I know I going to become very confused on this issue

If I have figured right according to the chassis axle weight ratios I only have 5000 lbs of cargo that I can add to the MH.

Is this correct?

Thanks,

Ron

[FrontRangeRVer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Ron & Dee:
I know I going to become very confused on this issue

If I have figured right according to the chassis axle weight ratios I only have 5000 lbs of cargo that I can add to the MH.

Is this correct?

Thanks,

Ron </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Check your CCC sticker in your closet. This is what you can load on your motorhome....this figure will already include passengers, full water and propane.....

[Ron & Dee]

[/QUOTE]
Check your CCC sticker in your closet. This is what you can load on your motorhome....this figure will already include passengers, full water and propane.....[/QUOTE]

My sticker says 1764 lbs for the CCC, and dealer installed equipment and tongue weight will reduce this figure.

Does that mean if I add 500 lbs of tongue weight, then I reduce the CCC to 1264 lbs?

Thanks,

Ron

[FrontRangeRVer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Ron & Dee:

My sticker says 1764 lbs for the CCC, and dealer installed equipment and tongue weight will reduce this figure.

Does that mean if I add 500 lbs of tongue weight, then I reduce the CCC to 1264 lbs?

Thanks,

Ron </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yes

[Ron & Dee]

Thanks,

Ron

[alvinc]

This is why towing 4 down is so popular, it leaves all of the CCC for gear. Using a trailer or dolly decreases the CCC.

[TandW]

There aren't any 0-gravity towbars available yet!!

[DriVer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by T&W:
There aren't any 0-gravity towbars available yet!! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>T&W, Compared to what we can sustain tongue weight wise an Aluminum towbar like my BO Aladdin seems to defy gravity.