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Old 02-29-2016, 05:51 PM   #1
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Beefing up class 3 hitch

My Class A motorhome has a class 3 hitch installed from the factory that has a 5000 LB rating. My toad weighs 5300 lbs. I have attached a few pics of my hitch. Looking for suggestions to beef it up. If I replace it I would most likely need to have a new one fabricated for my freightliner chassis. I spoke with Hidden Hitch today and they said it was built custom for my coach manufacture. It looks pretty strong but I don't have anything to compare it to.
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Old 02-29-2016, 06:24 PM   #2
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Hi,

If that is what came with the coach than that is what you have to use.

You should also check your GVCW and see what that is as you may not be able to tow that car if the total weight exceeds GVCW. Usually there is a sticker somewhere in the coach with that weight info.

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Old 02-29-2016, 06:33 PM   #3
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When we had our '02 Dutch Star I called Spartan and found I could install a 10,000# hitch to replace the 6,000# one that came on it.
Never did because the 6,000#'s was OK. Now, to be legal I would have had to get a new "Modified Vehicle" sticker issued by Newmar like I got when they changed the front axle.
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Old 02-29-2016, 06:35 PM   #4
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Hi,

If that is what came with the coach than that is what you have to use.

You should also check your GVCW and see what that is as you may not be able to tow that car if the total weight exceeds GVCW. Usually there is a sticker somewhere in the coach with that weight info.

Tom

My GVWR is 26K
My GCWR is 36K
My loaded coach weighs 24K with my wife and myself not on board and full fuel. My toad is 5300 LBS.
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Old 02-29-2016, 06:41 PM   #5
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When we had our '02 Dutch Star I called Spartan and found I could install a 10,000# hitch to replace the 6,000# one that came on it.
Never did because the 6,000#'s was OK. Now, to be legal I would have had to get a new "Modified Vehicle" sticker issued by Newmar like I got when they changed the front axle.
Getting legal might be a problem. I don't see freightliner or Newmar issuing a sticker for me. I'm shooting for safety at this point.
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Old 03-01-2016, 07:29 AM   #6
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This is a common subject on these forums. Many times the tow weight is limited not so much by the actual hitch, but any frame extension structure added by the coach manufacturer after the chassis left the factory. In other words, the chassis may have been rated for the higher GCWR as it left the factory, but any extension added by the coach builder may not be up to the task.

Be sure to do your homework.
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Old 03-01-2016, 08:18 AM   #7
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This is a common subject on these forums. Many times the tow weight is limited not so much by the actual hitch, but any frame extension structure added by the coach manufacturer after the chassis left the factory. In other words, the chassis may have been rated for the higher GCWR as it left the factory, but any extension added by the coach builder may not be up to the task.

Be sure to do your homework.
Thanks. I was looking for this. The hitch is bolted to a massive steel bracket that is bolted to the frame. The location of the bolts from the hitch to the bracket is prior to the end of the frame rails. I'll have a fabrication shop review this but it would appear there would be no frame extension problems associated with this installation. I would think adding some cross sections to the hitch would add strength. What I'm not sure about is the actual receiver part of the hitch. Does a class 3 hitch have a receiver that is not as strong as a class 4 receiver. Mine is a 2 inch receiver and I know many of the class 4's are also 2 inch.
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Old 03-01-2016, 10:07 AM   #8
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Under no circumstances would I exceed the rating of the hitch.
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Old 03-18-2016, 05:29 PM   #9
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Just have a shop weld that plate, that will add an extra protection.
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