22,000 lb Chassis, 5000 lb Toad - Problem?

[Dan McMartin]

I notice the 22,000 lb F-53 chassis has a GCWR of only 26,000 lbs. That leaves 4000 lbs for towing unless you use some of the cargo capacity. We plan to tow a 5000 lb Jeep Wrangler. Seems to be a problem there.

The 20,500 lb chassis can handle 5,500 lbs. Seems to me that the 26,000 lb number isn't the actual GCWR...especially considering that 26,000 lbs is an important number to come in under due to certain regulations and classifications.

So, am I going down the wrong road looking at a MH with a 22,000 lb chassis considering my Jeep is 5,000 lbs and I'm not willing to give up 1,000 lbs in cargo capacity?

Edit: It appears 26,000 lb chassis have the same issue with a 30,000 lb GCWR. What gives?

[mhaston]

What is the curb weight on the jeep and also if you don't fill the fresh water until you get where you are going that would save on cargo weight

[Dan McMartin]

Originally Posted by mhaston

What is the curb weight on the jeep and also if you don't fill the fresh water until you get where you are going that would save on cargo weight

Jeep weighs 5140. It's going on a diet to get to 5000.

Not carrying water won't get me the 1000 back and that doesn't work for boondocking. I mean I could fill up close and be over the GCWR for a short distance but then why worry about it at all? Just be over weight all the time.

[l1v3fr33ord1]

Dan-

If I'm telling you something you already know, I apologize.

For these questions I go to the Ford Body Builder Layout Book pages on the Web (link here). I've extracted the relevant page for a 2017 chassis below. Looking at that, the following chassis offer a GCWR-GVWR of 5,000 pounds or more:

16,000 7,000
18,000 5,000
20,500 5,500
24,000 6,000

and the following do not:

22,000 4,000
26,000 4,000

Options:

1) Find yourself a 2017-chassis coach based on the first list and you should be all set.
2) Be prepared to give up coach carrying capacity- if you can. I recently weighed our coach on all four corners, and we'd be hard pressed to give up 1,000 pounds.
3) Get a lighter toad.
4) Consider coaches not based on the F-53 chassis.

The GCWR-GVWR numbers have varied over the years, so if you're considering a chassis of a different year it's important to check the numbers for that specific chassis.

The above assumes the coach builder installed a trailer hitch that's rated at 5,000 pounds or more, and that you can get your Jeep down to 5,000 pounds, as weighed (published curb weights seem "optimistic").

[redcolorado]

Originally Posted by Dan McMartin

I notice the 22,000 lb F-53 chassis has a GCWR of only 26,000 lbs. That leaves 4000 lbs for towing unless you use some of the cargo capacity. We plan to tow a 5000 lb Jeep Wrangler. Seems to be a problem there.

The 20,500 lb chassis can handle 5,500 lbs. Seems to me that the 26,000 lb number isn't the actual GCWR...especially considering that 26,000 lbs is an important number to come in under due to certain regulations and classifications.

So, am I going down the wrong road looking at a MH with a 22,000 lb chassis considering my Jeep is 5,000 lbs and I'm not willing to give up 1,000 lbs in cargo capacity?

Edit: It appears 26,000 lb chassis have the same issue with a 30,000 lb GCWR. What gives?

What is your actual weight of coach, Jeep and actual GCWR.
On the scales my 37 ft 2008 Bounder ready to travel, full fuel & full water, weighs 19600, 2015 Colorado 4960, total 24560. My GCWR is 26,000. My point is you may not be as heavy as you think you are.

[TexasTom]

The last time I weighed my W22 coach, full with fuel, water and cargo, it was 21,022 lbs. With a GCWR of 26 that would conceptually give me just under 5,000 lbs for a tow vehicle. I have not towed anything with my coach yet, but would be hesitant to pull anything over 4,000 lbs.

[Cousin Ed]

We towed our 2005 Colorado (4200#) (5000# with golf cart in the bed) with our 22,000# Suncrusier for about 63,000 miles. We never traveled with full water and watched how we loaded her. We weighed it many times and occasionally we might have exceeded the 26,000# limit by a hundred or so.

[Dan McMartin]

Here's the low down on our coach of choice (for now?):

22,000 GVWR
26,000 GCWR
18,600 UVW w/ anticipated options based on reported weights from other owners.

Jeep weighs in at 5140 (taken on a CAT scale a few days ago).

That leave us with about 3400 lbs but subtract us at 500 lbs and water at about 672 lbs and we're at 2200 lbs for cargo, give or take. We expect to travel light but we haven't weighed our stuff so...

I'm not concerned with going over any of that by a hundred pounds or so. I know engineers, lawyers and regulators all demand factors of safety. But a thousand? Probably not.

My heart says this isn't a big deal. Move forward and don't sweat it. My head says this is a deal breaker. I agree with the options above to an extent. I see them as:

Get a lighter toad, probably sell my Rubicon Unlimited and get a two door Wrangler Sport.

Look at different MH's. Though many over the same issue but a 26000 lb chassis should give us far more CCC to steal from.

Look at fifth wheels and trucks. Probably less money anyway though I won't be able to have a beloved Jeep.

Don't tow. Drive the Jeep behind the MH.

Grrr!

[l1v3fr33ord1]

Dan-

Per my earlier post, GCWR-GVWR for the 2017 26,000 chassis is the same 4,000 pounds.

[Dan McMartin]

Originally Posted by l1v3fr33ord1

Dan-

Per my earlier post, GCWR-GVWR for the 2017 26,000 chassis is the same 4,000 pounds.

Can't speak to Ford's numbers but Newmar is using the same 22k chassis on the 2018 model. I doubt things will change.

I'm checking with Newmar to see if I can upgrade to the 24k chassis. Problem solved.

If not, probably going to sell my Wrangler Unlimited and buy a new 2-door. Sad since I have a lot in my current Jeep but hey, I'll have a brand new Jeep I can start bolting part to

[rdd001]

I just had mine weighed a few weeks ago including my toad which is a 2004 Jeep Wrangler and my GCWR was 22,240. The Jeep weighed 3760 including fuel and lawn chairs. The GCWR was less than I thought but I guess it comes down to how much stuff you carry. It is so important to know your weight IMO.

[MisterT]

a Jeep weighs over 5,000lbs?? really?

[Dan McMartin]

Originally Posted by MisterT

a Jeep weighs over 5,000lbs?? really?

Unlimited Rubicons start life at 4500 lbs. I've got after market bumpers (70 lbs front, 160 lbs rear w/ tire carrier), rock rails (100 lbs), winch (75 lbs), tools (50-ish lbs) plus a couple of chairs, a small folding table, small air compressor, 33 inch tires and wheels, etc.

Crazy, right?

[rdd001]

I would be happy as all get out to tow that behind my MH all day everyday!!! Nice!!!!