5000 lb hitch weight

[Crasher]

Originally Posted by fagnaml

The 5000# weight rating of a receiver hitch presumes the item being towed has wheels (i.e. not dragging a 5000# solid block). Some component of the receiver hitch is the "weak link" that sets the max weight rating -- thickness of the steel tube use, thickness of bolting plate, size of bolts used, type and thickness of welds, etc.

Personally I would not chance towing a 5400# vehicle using a 5000# rated receiver hitch as given my luck some component of the receiver hitch would break.

Think for a moment of the stress on a 5,000# hitch carrying a 500# tongue weight. Now drive 60 mph and hit a sudden dip in the road that amplifies the dead weight by 2 or more. The hitch and mounting bolts are designed to absorb that load. To me, that is far more stress that towing a 5500 or 6,000# toad with no dead weight.

[FatChance]

Ask your insurance agent if towing more that the rated weight what might happen if there were a problem and you submitted a claim. That is the first thing they would look at.

[Crasher]

Originally Posted by FatChance

Ask your insurance agent if towing more that the rated weight what might happen if there were a problem and you submitted a claim. That is the first thing they would look at.

You mean to say that I am covered in an accident if I was speeding and lost control, or failed to yield, or drunk driving, or inattentive driving, but not covered if I am towing a load that is above the hitch rating? Years ago I asked an agent a similar question. He told me that if it was not exempted in the policy, I was covered.

[77Travco]

Originally Posted by Crasher

You mean to say that I am covered in an accident if I was speeding and lost control, or failed to yield, or drunk driving, or inattentive driving, but not covered if I am towing a load that is above the hitch rating? Years ago I asked an agent a similar question. He told me that if it was not exempted in the policy, I was covered.

I think some people play that card thinking it's some sort of fail safe for their argument that will somehow wow everyone. Some of us enjoy our journey while others sit and stare out the window. Kind of like wearing a helmet in the shower or being scared to remove a mattress tag.
Gotta love these weight threads!

[NXR]

Originally Posted by 77Travco

I got passed today by a newer F53 chassis pulling a late model Ram 2500 as a toad. I don't feel so bad now!

The 2500 curb weight ranges from 6,000 to 6,500.

Some F53 chassis models, like the 24,000 GVWR, have a GCWR of 30,000.

Change out the stock 5,000 hitch for a 7,500 with appropriate mounting, stay 1,000 below GVWR, and yes, a Ram 2500, lightly loaded, can be towed within design limits by a Ford F53 gasser.

Ray

[Krikati]

I would be very cautious about exceeding the rated hitch capacity. Remember that your rig has to pull the toad, then the toad will push the rig or TV when you slow down. Hard on the hitch. Also, does the rig have the capacity to pull that much weight? Are you planning on climbing any hills or mountains? Are you ready to creep along at 10mph while a line of angry drivers forms behind you? I would vote NO. Get a lighter toad or a stronger hitch and TV . . . . or both.

[Krikati]

I would be very cautious about exceeding the rated hitch capacity. Remember that your rig has to pull the toad, then the toad will push the rig or TV when you slow down. Hard on the hitch. Also, does the rig have the capacity to pull that much weight? Are you planning on climbing any hills or mountains? Are you ready to creep along at 10mph while a line of angry drivers forms behind you? I would vote NO. Get a lighter toad or a stronger hitch and TV . . . . or both.

[doubleplay]

Originally Posted by Jimymc

Looking at a gas Motorhome that has a 5000 lb hitch. Our Jeep weighs in at 5400 lbs. Is that too much over the limit to be worried about?

YES, because you might run out of your payload limit with even less then that.
Educate yourself about towing before you make a costly mistake.
Towing weight is a deceiving number and a gimmick salesman and manufacturers use.

[doubleplay]

Originally Posted by Crasher

You mean to say that I am covered in an accident if I was speeding and lost control, or failed to yield, or drunk driving, or inattentive driving, but not covered if I am towing a load that is above the hitch rating? Years ago I asked an agent a similar question. He told me that if it was not exempted in the policy, I was covered.

Your agent gave you the wrong information.
Specially when there's a claim of total loss they'll look into everything including even if you are a smoker but told them you're not.
In a towing situation first thing they look will be if you are over the payload limit of your vehicle.
All insurance is a scheme and they are design to pay as little as they can and deny claims.

[Mowog]

My personal opinion is that if you own something that you would be upset if it were taken away, I would not exceed the rated limit. If you can verify that you have made improvements that can be certified to carry the extra weight, you might be OK.

If I were ever in an accident (that I knew wasn’t my fault) with a vehicle towing something I thought could be overweight I would demand a weighing.

Just because you can do something doesn’t mean that you always should.

[salisbury]

forgive....if this has been pointed already. i have not read all the responses.

If you are in court and weight becomes an issue, which side of 5000lb do you want to be on?

[Joe Maiato]

This is kind of another angle on this situation.. - are you sure the jeep actually weighs that much empty or is that the GVW of the jeep? That weight sounds high to me for a jeep.

[austx]

Originally Posted by Jimymc

Looking at a gas Motorhome that has a 5000 lb hitch. Our Jeep weighs in at 5400 lbs. Is that too much over the limit to be worried about?

Food for Thought … First thing, if you have an accident your insurance company may not cover you cause of exceeding the weight. Or if you ended up in court, which side of 5,000 lbs do you want to be on. Also 5,400 lbs is an empty Jeep … is it empty when you tow it? Lastly, if you have to ask … you know it’s not right to exceed the recommended weight based on safety alone!

[bird6465]

So what you're asking is, I want to do something that the mfr says to not do and the government says is illegal. Is it OK? If you do and something bad happens you might have a lot more trouble to deal with. Those numbers are there for a reason, and the lawyers know it.