Who installs the hitch?

[RodgerS]

On a 20,500 lb chassis, Ford F-53 rates the Max. trailer capacity as 5,500 lbs. However, the representations for the Newmar motorhome, that I have found, and with difficulty, states 5,000 lbs hitch capacity per dealers.

So, I'm assuming the chassis comes from Ford without a hitch and that Newmar or the dealer then installs a 5,000 rated hitch.

Regardless, is it correct to assume that MTC equals hitch capacity, but doesn't equal hitch rating, which will vary based on the hitch system attached to the chassis?

[palehorse89]

One has to take the GVWR or the GCWR and then get it weighed to get the fully loaded ready to travel weight, then subtract the numbers to find out what you can tow. If the final number comes up 3500#........that is all the chassis manufacture states it can handle even though the hitch manufacture states the receiver can handle 5,000#. This info. should be inside the Coach some where........listed on the chassis info. tag.

[RodgerS]

I'm trying to understand who usually installs the receiver on the rv - Newmar, Ford, or the dealer?

I understand the GVWR and GCWR, but that is not my question.

Hitches, as I understand it, can be upgraded, but only to the extent of the chassis capacity and that often times the hitch rating is less that the chassis capacity.

And yes the home itself adds another set of variables.

[edgray]

Originally Posted by RodgerS

That's not the issue I'm trying to address, and I understand the GVWR and GCWR computations, but thanks.

I'm trying to understand who usually puts the receiver on the rv, Newmar or Ford.

The coach builder ADDS the hitch attachment framework AND the receiver hitch to the chassis rails provided by Ford.

[RodgerS]

Thanks edgray,

which is the basic reason you can't rely on the Ford F-53 maximum trailer hitch capacity vs what Newmar says your hitch rating is. So, it follows you could upgrade your hitch capacity, but not to exceed the Ford chassis mthcapacity AND not to ignore the GVWR and the GCWR which is apparently reliant on the home Newmar puts on the chassis, etc.

So, Newmar puts 5,000 hitches on a 5,500 rated chassis, which probably is a cost, rather than safety factor, but maybe both. If you hitch a 5,500 truck onto a 5,000 hitch on your rv, that's a no no, even if you reduce the weight inside the motorhome to stay within the GCWR.

[Luv2go]

Originally Posted by RodgerS

Thanks edgray,

which is the basic reason you can't rely on the Ford F-53 maximum trailer hitch capacity vs what Newmar says your hitch rating is. So, it follows you could upgrade your hitch capacity, but not to exceed the Ford chassis mthcapacity AND not to ignore the GVWR and the GCWR which is apparently reliant on the home Newmar puts on the chassis, etc.

So, Newmar puts 5,000 hitches on a 5,500 rated chassis, which probably is a cost, rather than safety factor, but maybe both. If you hitch a 5,500 truck onto a 5,000 hitch on your rv, that's a no no, even if you reduce the weight inside the motorhome to stay within the GCWR.

Something else to consider: In the case of our Canyon Star, Newmar also added chassis rail extensions to the Ford chassis rails. Because the hitch connects to the extensions, not the original Ford rails the hitch rating may be derated below the Ford spec. Not an issue for us with the current 2900lb toad, but it may be in the future.

The 2008 brochure we have, which covers both 20,500 and 22,000lb chassis, says the hitch is a 5000lb hitch. Evidently Newmar felt comfortable enough to leave the hitch rating at 5000lb with the extensions.

[palehorse89]

Originally Posted by RodgerS

I'm trying to understand who usually installs the receiver on the rv - Newmar, Ford, or the dealer?

I understand the GVWR and GCWR, but that is not my question.

Hitches, as I understand it, can be upgraded, but only to the extent of the chassis capacity and that often times the hitch rating is less that the chassis capacity.

And yes the home itself adds another set of variables.

I believe it is different with each manufacture.........Back in 2000, Newmar installed the one on my Coach, today, I believe Spartan and other chassis manufactures(DP's) install on them on the chassis before delivering it to the Coach builder......

Spartan Chassis

All the Spartan chassis today have the receivers mounted by Spartan.....

[Dutch Star Don]

RodgerS....Keep in mind, Ford is probably stating that their bare chassis, as it's delivered from Ford to Newmar is rated at 5500 pounds. Newmar than adds coach to the chassis, extending and reinforcing frame rails. Now Newmar has to determine what they want to rate the modified chassis at.

I know you have the weight numbers figured out, but that is only part of an overall rating. Engine, trans, radiator, shocks, brakes, suspension all come into play. Now most of those things are all part of how Ford delivers the chassis to Newmar, but Newmar still has to make a determination on how well all of that plays with their coach, coach weights and frame reinforcement.

[edgray]

Originally Posted by RodgerS

Thanks edgray,

which is the basic reason you can't rely on the Ford F-53 .........

No truer words were ever spoken, because I don't EVER intend to rely on a Ford chassis (see signature) .

[BattChief]

Hitches are rated by class.

Class I - 2,000 lbs
Class II - 3,500 lbs
Class III - 5,000 lbs
Class IV - 10,000 lbs

It has everything to do with ratings. Not sure economics has anything to do with it.

[BFlinn181]

Originally Posted by palehorse89

I believe it is different with each manufacture.........Back in 2000, Newmar installed the one on my Coach, today, I believe Spartan and other chassis manufactures(DP's) install on them on the chassis before delivering it to the Coach builder......

Spartan Chassis

All the Spartan chassis today have the receivers mounted by Spartan.....

A Ford F-53 chassis is a front engine layout. The frame is often extended at the rear to allow longer RVs. The hitch would be added by the RV maker and their engineers would do the rating. On a Spartan chassis, it's a rear engine layout with the frame full size to it's final length. The hitch on a Spartan DP chassis would be rated by Spartan.

It sounds like the OP isn't happy with his hitch rating and is asking how to increase it. Usual answer, YOU CAN'T INCREASE THE RATING, only the manufacturer can do it. The rating is not only for the physical limits of the hitch and frame, but the drive train, axles, springs, braking, etc.

In addition to all that, the forces so far back from the rear axle are dramatically increased at the hitch point. I'd never trust more than the original rating and wouldn't try to increase it.

[RodgerS]

Great responses. Puts a little deeper thought on the issues. I think you can rely (edgray) on the Ford F-53 chassis, in fact it is an excellent gas chassis that by all accounts significantly narrows the gap between diesel and gas, but once you modify or add anything, it seems the modifier takes responsibility for the ratings, which is why you go by Newmar's tow ratings and capacities on an unloaded rig and then the responsibilities shift to us as owners to comply with the rigs stated limits.

["007"]

Originally Posted by Dutch Star Don

RodgerS....Keep in mind, Ford is probably stating that their bare chassis, as it's delivered from Ford to Newmar is rated at 5500 pounds. Newmar than adds coach to the chassis, extending and reinforcing frame rails. Now Newmar has to determine what they want to rate the modified chassis at.

I know you have the weight numbers figured out, but that is only part of an overall rating. Engine, trans, radiator, shocks, brakes, suspension all come into play. Now most of those things are all part of how Ford delivers the chassis to Newmar, but Newmar still has to make a determination on how well all of that plays with their coach, coach weights and frame reinforcement.

I agree with Dons statement 100% and its handed over to you to follow what Newmar has classified your towing weight will be. for chassis involved

[RodgerS]

I agree 007. I find it useful to understand how various systems in the rig affect each other as the rig is put together.