Winnebago 1992/94 Elante 37RQ or maybe a 1989-1993 Elandan

[Timon]

Originally Posted by ahicks

This is more about the chassis and brakes than it is about the hitch itself. Bolting up a class III or reinforcing a II does not do anything for the chassis and brakes.

Not familiar enough with the Winne design to say for sure, but the Fleetwood coaches of that time period depended on 2" square tubing in the floor for much of their hitch capacity. The frame rail extensions, with all that overhang acting as very long levers, and the fact there is little reinforcing where the extensions meet the real chassis, actually are not capable of carrying any more than the class II rating - if that.

Point being - look at the entire picture, not just the hitch itself. There's much more to it than most are aware of.

I found this modification done to an Airstream 345LE to increase the toad towing ability without changing the tail extension. The steel bars go all the way back to the main frame so the extension doesn't see any increase loading. I'd still put a Class III hitch mainly for the heaver receiver. Definitely something to talk to a certified hitch welder about.

[ahicks]

OK, I think you have the point. Not sure what you'll find under the pusher, but if you end up going with a 36+ foot more conventional gasser, consider the fact those extensions are very likely going to be MUCH longer than those on the 34' shown in the pick. If you hadn't said differently, I would have guessed that pic was a 26 or maybe 28' class A.

Last, this setup is one of the better I've seen. Many are hand welded by what have to be total amateurs w/no bolts.

[Timon]

Originally Posted by ahicks

OK, I think you have the point. Not sure what you'll find under the pusher, but if you end up going with a 36+ foot more conventional gasser, consider the fact those extensions are very likely going to be MUCH longer than those on the 34' shown in the pick. If you hadn't said differently, I would have guessed that pic was a 26 or maybe 28' class A.

Last, this setup is one of the better I've seen. Many are hand welded by what have to be total amateurs w/no bolts.

In my case, if I get the Elante, it's a gaser so it looks a lot like the photo at least from what I can see in the Winnebago documents. Getting those connection back to the main chassis I think is the key. The main chassis has a 25K GCVWR so it can handle the toad. If done right there shouldn't be any issues towing up to a 5K toad as long as one keeps the tongue weight under 100 pounds.

Yes the extensions are longer but I'm not sure how long. When I talked to Winnebago they didn't see an issue with the 19K GVWR chassis handling a 5K toad but not a 5K trailer due to it's much higher tongue weight. I think some of the 19K chassis had Class III hitches.