Community Forums

seasonedsole · 02-22-2011, 11:37 AM

I have a 30' WH chassis and would like to tow 18' enclosed trailer with just over 750lbs tongue weight. I know an equalizer hitch would be good if the pair were somewhat level, my question is: with such a long overhang behind the rear axle, when going over dips such as entering exiting gas stations, will the torsion bars flex enough without breaking or damaging the hitch or tongue?

**JohnRR** · 02-22-2011, 12:12 PM

A more important question is what does the manufacturer state is the allowable tongue weight?

mikron · 02-22-2011, 12:24 PM

If gas I would think 10% of the 5,000 lbs tow weight.

seasonedsole · 02-22-2011, 05:43 PM

The hitch rating is 5000lb with a tongue weight of 750lb. Evan if I were to get the trailer weight down to 4000lb and the tongue down to 600lb, the question of the bars, hitch, and tongue is my concern. The tension must be extremely high when the tail almost drags.

**JohnRR** · 02-22-2011, 05:56 PM

An equalizer type hitch would transmit a lot of extra weight along the rear frame of the MH. In many cases the very rear frame section of a MH are welded on extensions which may not be capable of the additional weight which is why I think they put a lot of the lighter capacities on coaches.

I'd be willing to bet that most frame extensions in the very rear of a gas MH are not even chassis grade steel as they do not really do anything (forgetting hitch requirements), many of these extension are not even full U shape like the rest of the main frame.

seasonedsole · 02-24-2011, 06:06 PM

Thanks for the replies, as John said, when I looked at the rear of the motor home, there isn't much in the way of support. Even if I reinforced or rebuilt the hitch, I believe the next weakest link would soon be found. This only leaves me with 3 choices, either I don't tow the enclosed trailer, or tow it with sway control and no equalizers, or the dreaded dolly wheel which I despise. Thanks for the input.

RJay · 02-24-2011, 06:45 PM

Be careful when adding weight to the back of the motorhome especially with a long overhang. 750 lb. tongue weight can add as much as 1800 lbs. to the rear axle depending on the length of the overhang. I carry a motorcycle on the back of my motorhome and have to be careful I don't exceed the rear axle capacity. You should know how much weight is on the rear axle before you add the weight to determine if it will be safe.