F53 v10 - How do I upgrade the transmission to 10k lbs?

[Burner]

2016 New mar Baystar Sport
V10

Towing capacity is limited to 5k.

Once a year I need to pull a trailer that weighs about 8500 lbs, from San Diego to Reno which has a 6.5% uphill grade.

I've already welded the ish out of the hitch and have reinforced the chassis and then the chassis to the hitch. Super solid now.

Next upgrade is the tranny, but I am having a difficult time finding info on how to go about this.

I'd like to beef it up to 10k.
Then, whatever engine upgrades I need to make.

I'd appreciate some direction.

Thanks

[donr103]

So I am sure you are going to get.. a lot of professional opinions that warn you about exceeding your max weight.. so I will pass on that.. use all safety precautions.. and here is some guessing.. you might try.. research oil temp versus eng and trans life.. so... just ringing in here.. you need to monitor eng and trans oil temp.. so 1st flush brake oil regularly and close inspection.. 2nd dedicated gauges for eng and trans temps.. 3rd.. over size both coolers .. by adding very large tube type coolers.. sence your rv .. most likely has plate type coolers.. use tube and fin.. check out DERALE. Com.. add eng oil cooler.. comes in kit and goes on eng filter. Get one thermostat type and then match with a big cooler and fan.. next.. I would find the return line to trans and add the biggest cooler with fan in a place you can fit.. plus make sure you put a fan on your existing trans cooler if it does not have one. Sence you are an experienced mechanic.. this should be easy for you and cheapest.. I have done this with reduced temps.. I catch a lot of flack.. but it's my opinion...

Next I would run the coldest eng thermostat you are comfortable with.. I like 160.. I still go into closed loop.. and sence i dont get 30mpg. You may experience a .002 reduction in mpg .. if you worry about your mpg.. then keep your foot off the floor..
Then if you find like I did..that on the far left of radiator and far right.. there is plenty of room to mount big coolers with fan.. but I ran into small problem there is no grill.. so online you can get those brake cooler kits.. and cut a hole in fiberglass cap down low.. to scoop all the cold air up.. they make all kinds of nice looking grill kits.. while there.. see if you can add from disk brake cooler kit for fronts.. the sky is the limit but they are nice.. I just used 4in. hole type.. sence I have 4in hole drill.. aka. Dryer vent hole drill..

Don't neglect the diff.. use hi quality oil.. change it more often.. they also make bigger rear end overs for some diff.. and you would have to this on your own..
That is all my opinion.. and always stay safe.. remember you can run cool forever.. but burn up only once.. you can add a temp gauge for diff.. see GLOWSHIFT.COM. for your needs.. I bet you have been there already.. I always find better and larger eng fans from DERALE. Com.. I used their heavy duty fan clutch and got a 1.5in bigger eng fan.. Hugh difference. But yu may need to add sound deadner.. because the fan really kicks in..
Good luck and keep us posted
This is what I do..

[twinboat]

If you look up the F53 specs, you'll see that as the GVW increases, the rear differential ratio increases.
Higher diff ratio let's the rest of the drive train work less.

If your serious about increasing pulling power change the ratio or just run in a lower gear when needed. Nothing else needs to be done.

[donr103]

There is something like.. aux. Trans.. GEARVENDERS.COM is one.. but they are expensive.. great opinion above.. I have great respect for above member.. but in my opinion.. you would be doing more work.. thus.. making more heat.. rv manufacturer use the cheapest parts to get unit out of warranty.. and make a large profit.. profits are always a priority over hi quality parts.. just research rv profits.. you guess the rest..
Good luck and keep us posted

[PKI]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bog3evaEKjA&t=872s

These folks may be of help to you.

[dssl]

I know a 22k chassis has a total capacity of 26k for the coach plus the tow, while a 24k or a 26k chassis have a 30k total.

If you have a 24k chassis, and your coach is weighing in at under 22k then a 10k hitch likely makes your load legal.

If you haveva 22k chassis ad your coach weighs 22k lbs then you can only legally pull 4k.

The total carrying capacity is based on various factors including the rear end and the brakes, as well as probably a few others.

If you exceed the weight ratings significantly and the overloading is a factor and someone ends up being seriously injured or killed you will be in a very bad position both morally and legally.

[ga traveler]

Towing capacity is usually limited by the hitch not the engine.

[Argosy]

The hitch and chassis will be more limiting than the drive train.

[Mudfrog]

The 2016 Baystar brochure shows the same drivetrain for all the different models. They all have the same 5.38 gearing, 22k gvwrs, and 26k gcwrs. The model with lightest estimated uvw is right at 18k, the other models heavier. No matter what's done to beef things up, the gcwr is going to be exceeded pulling an 8.5k lb trailer!

[Toby Dog]

Tow ratings are to protect the manufacturer. There is no "legally" involved unless a CDL and commercial use are involved.

[Argosy]

Originally Posted by Toby Dog

Tow ratings are to protect the manufacturer. There is no "legally" involved unless a CDL and commercial use are involved.

Tow ratings also protect the public.

I wouldn't bet a lot on your legal advice.

https://thehwlawfirm.com/2020/07/27/...of-rv-crashes/

The lawyers are advertising for clients from RV crashes, overloaded is #3 on the list.

[tderonne]

Originally Posted by Mudfrog

The 2016 Baystar brochure shows the same drivetrain for all the different models. They all have the same 5.38 gearing, 22k gvwrs, and 26k gcwrs. The model with lightest estimated uvw is right at 18k, the other models heavier. No matter what's done to beef things up, the gcwr is going to be exceeded pulling an 8.5k lb trailer!

Not what I see: 2016 Baystar brochure (2903 Baystar Sport - not one of the bigger Baystars)

[Cigrocket]

If you get in an accident and your load is overweight, Insurance will not cover you. FYI. They will just walk away.

[Mudfrog]

Originally Posted by tderonne

Not what I see: 2016 Baystar brochure (2903 Baystar Sport - not one of the bigger Baystars)

I see that. The brochure I downloaded is titled Bay Star Sport and Bay Star but the specifications page in it is for the Bay Star models. There is no page showing specific specifications for the Sport models.

The specifications for the 2903 are as follows. Uvw is approximately 16,430 lbs. Gcwr is 26,000. The rig's drivetrain could probably handle it ok but the gcwr would most likely be exceeded when people, water, and supplies were added to the mix.