Reinforcing hitch

[LadyFitz...]

Originally Posted by Dunner

My friend had his re-enforced at a trailer hitch shop. Basically what they did was to weld some of the same 2" square stock to the frame, slightly inboard of where the hitch bolts or is welded to the frame and to the hitch. Not to the plug-in part, but to the cross piece of the hitch. That make since?

His was rated at 5000# and is now over 10,000#

How much does he actually tow with it now?

[Mike Canter]

Has anybody ever seen a mh that is rated at 10k on hitch and mh with a Allison 3000 series trannsmission?

[Dunner]

Give Cliff a call. Link says he has been doing it close to 50 years.

Just because a "Local" welder beefs up a trailer hitch, doesn't mean the hitch is not stronger.

[Dunner]

Originally Posted by LadyFitz...

How much does he actually tow with it now?

He pulls a 28' enclosed trailer with two small sandrails an and ATV. A lot of guys pull as much or more. I will ask the next time I go camping.

And quit quoting me the 10,000#. I'm just guessing at what he told me.

I don't know about hitches, but Peerless Chains test every link to double their rated capacity(it's on the Discovery Channel right now). They've been making chains since 1917.

[LadyFitz...]

Originally Posted by Dunner

He pulls a 28' enclosed trailer with two small sandrails an and ATV. A lot of guys pull as much or more. I will ask the next time I go camping.

And quit quoting me the 10,000#. I'm just guessing at what he told me.

I don't know about hitches, but Peerless Chains test every link to double their rated capacity(it's on the Discovery Channel right now). They've been making chains since 1917.

Whoa! I never quoted you on the 10k#! I appreciate you being willing to ask the guy.

[Dunner]

Originally Posted by LadyFitz...

Whoa! I never quoted you on the 10k#! I appreciate you being willing to ask the guy.

Sorry, I didn't mean you.

There are sometimes 30+ MH's in out group and thousands at the dunes that tow enclosed trailers.
I'll ask some of the heavies.

Have you thought about a 5er. They tow so sweet. None of the tail wagging the dog stuff.

[chief02]

Maybe people just want to beef things up a bit. I'm about to refenforce my spring shackle mounts because of the numerouse failures out there the on "engineered" frames. Just because it was "engineered" does not mean the final build wont fail.

Like she said "wheres the beef?"

[Dunner]

[LadyFitz...]

Originally Posted by Dunner

Sorry, I didn't mean you.

There are sometimes 30+ MH's in out group and thousands at the dunes that tow enclosed trailers.
I'll ask some of the heavies.

Have you thought about a 5er. They tow so sweet. None of the tail wagging the dog stuff.

True, they tow and back like a semi (yes, I've driven a few small flatbed semis back when I worked for SRP) but they take a honkin' big truck that would make a lousy grocery getter and travel rig the 363 days of the year I'm not towing. I also wouldn't be able to have a shell on the bed (and there AIN'T NO WAY I'm giving up having a shell!).

I also know what the tail wagging the dog is like. The F150 should handle things at freeway speeds but I would have no problem going 45mph if necessary to keep the trailer from emulating the tail end of a happy porpoise or to keep the engine from overheating. So what if it takes three or four hours instead of two to move the trailer twice a year?

[LadyFitz...]

Originally Posted by chief02

Maybe people just want to beef things up a bit. I'm about to refenforce my spring shackle mounts because of the numerouse failures out there the on "engineered" frames. Just because it was "engineered" does not mean the final build wont fail.

Like she said "wheres the beef?"

That and adding heavier shackles and wet bolts with real metal, not plastic, bushings should be done right after getting a trailer.

[Dunner]

Originally Posted by LadyFitz...

True, they tow and back like a semi (yes, I've driven a few small flatbed semis back when I worked for SRP) but they take a honkin' big truck that would make a lousy grocery getter and travel rig the 363 days of the year I'm not towing. I also wouldn't be able to have a shell on the bed (and there AIN'T NO WAY I'm giving up having a shell!).

So, have a friend with a 5th wheel hitch move it for you twice a year, or maybe you could rent a truck from U-haul with a hitch. Make friends with someone in the CG that is going your way to get supplies. Pay for gas + a tip.

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by Mike Canter

Has anybody ever seen a mh that is rated at 10k on hitch and mh with a Allison 3000 series trannsmission?

According to Spartan ours is even though we only have a 6,000# hitch on it right now.

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by Dunner

Give Cliff a call. Link says he has been doing it close to 50 years.

Just because a "Local" welder beefs up a trailer hitch, doesn't mean the hitch is not stronger.

But, under Federal Law, the only one that can certify/recertify a vehicle is the original manufacturer of the completed vehicle. Even if a hitch company did all the stress analysis and testing they still couldn't change the weight ratings.

[Dunner]

I don't know Cliff, but I'm sure he stands behind his work and ~50 years of experience. If he said the hitch is now rated for 10K, I would trust him. That's no consolation if you are half way through a trip and it breaks though.