E-450 Drawbar

[rpasetto]

Has anyone upgraded the drawbar hitch on their 2013+ E-450 class C?

Around 2016, Ford started equipping their E-450 cutaway chassis with 8000# hitches rather than the earlier 5000# ones. I know the E450 was built from around 2013+ with GVWR of 14500# and GCWR of 22000#. That gives a tow capacity of 7500#. So it should be do-able; not sure if class 4 drawbars are available though. Hope someone who has done this will chime in.

[Mich F]

Originally Posted by rpasetto

Has anyone upgraded the drawbar hitch on their 2013+ E-450 class C?

Around 2016, Ford started equipping their E-450 cutaway chassis with 8000# hitches rather than the earlier 5000# ones. I know the E450 was built from around 2013+ with GVWR of 14500# and GCWR of 22000#. That gives a tow capacity of 7500#. So it should be do-able; not sure if class 4 drawbars are available though. Hope someone who has done this will chime in.

I believe it was 2011 when Ford increased the GVWR to 14,500# and the GCWR to 22,000# for the E 450 . I also believe the hitches are installed by the MH builders, not by Ford. Your Aspect was built by Winnebago with a 5,000# hitch from the factory, as was my 2013 Itasca, which would limit us to towing 5,000#. There was also a sticker on my hitch of limiting tongue weight to 350#. I remember seeing something in the owner's manual about not exceeding the vehicle manufacturer's tow ratings, which in our case is considerably more than the ratings of the hitch they installed. I feel that their main concern is tongue weight. Assuming you won't be exceeding any of your weights ratings, I don't believe there would be any issue installing a higher rated hitch.

I believe it was Thor who first start putting 8,000# rated hitches on E 450's .
I think most, if not all MH builders, who use the E 450 for a base, now rate their MHs to tow 7,500.

[rpasetto]

I should have used the term "Hitch Receiver".

Tried to get the Ford Build Sheet (or window sticker) to find out exactly what my E-450 chassis had when it rolled off the Ford line. Tried three different sources at Ford but none were helpful.

There used to be the capability of getting a build sheet for Ford vehicles at etis.ford.com but that apparently changed.

[avfordguy]

Originally Posted by rpasetto

I should have used the term "Hitch Receiver".



Tried to get the Ford Build Sheet (or window sticker) to find out exactly what my E-450 chassis had when it rolled off the Ford line. Tried three different sources at Ford but none were helpful.



There used to be the capability of getting a build sheet for Ford vehicles at etis.ford.com but that apparently changed.

Door sticker has the gvw and gcgvw rating for the chassis BEFORE the rv manufacturer modifies it ( frame extensions).

[twinboat]

Haven't crawled under others, but my 2017 E450 Axis has the Ford chassis rails all the way back. They cut and lenghtend the chassis in the middle. The 8000 lb hitch is bolted to that.

My old E450 class C had frame extensions added to the back and the hitch was rated for 5000 lbs but Gulfstream listed it at 3500 lbs.

[Mich F]

According to the Winnebago brochure for the 2015 Aspect, the vehicle came from Winnebago with a 5,000# rated hitch and a 350# tongue weight limit.
https://www.winnebago.com/Files/Imag...0Digital.X.pdf

[ChrisDParise]

Originally Posted by rpasetto

Has anyone upgraded the drawbar hitch on their 2013+ E-450 class C?



Around 2016, Ford started equipping their E-450 cutaway chassis with 8000# hitches rather than the earlier 5000# ones. I know the E450 was built from around 2013+ with GVWR of 14500# and GCWR of 22000#. That gives a tow capacity of 7500#. So it should be do-able; not sure if class 4 drawbars are available though. Hope someone who has done this will chime in.

I asked the same question on eTrailer not too long ago. I think this is what your looking for.

[rpasetto]

Originally Posted by Mich F

According to the Winnebago brochure for the 2015 Aspect, the vehicle came from Winnebago with a 5,000# rated hitch and a 350# tongue weight limit.
https://www.winnebago.com/Files/Imag...0Digital.X.pdf

Correct. The Winnebago brochure and other spec sources also state GVWR of 14,500# and GCWR of 22,000#. That implies a towed-weight of the difference= 7500#. Although the supplied hitch receiver is rated at 5000#, their specs imply the 22,000# capacity is possible using proper hitch receiver-drawbar-towbar combination.

Restating my question: Has anyone installed a 7500# hitch receiver on their coach? If so, which brand/model?

[ChrisDParise]

Originally Posted by rpasetto

Restating my question: Has anyone installed a 7500# hitch receiver on their coach? If so, which brand/model?

See my post ^. It's a 10,000 lb hitch but you don't need to use all of it. If your frame measures up then Curt has one for you to bolt on

[rpasetto]

Originally Posted by ChrisDParise

See my post ^. It's a 10,000 lb hitch but you don't need to use all of it. If your frame measures up then Curt has one for you to bolt on

Is your motorhome on an E450 cutaway chassis? How was installing the Curt 14053?

[ChrisDParise]

Originally Posted by rpasetto

Is your motorhome on an E450 cutaway chassis? How was installing the Curt 14053?

Yes it is an E450 on a cutaway chassis. Mines a 30.5' and it's got frame rail extensions which fit inside the factory frame rails.

I have not ordered mine yet.

Take your measurements as noted above. Then go to the eTrailer website for that part number and they've got installation videos.

In my case, holes would be needed, then it bolts on

I would pay my rv dealer to install it since I am alone and do not care to tangle with it at 69.

[ChrisDParise]

Btw, I measured my frame rail extensions and center to center is exactly 38 5/8" so the 10,000 lb. Curt bolt on will fit my 30.5' Class C E450 Super Duty

Here is related q&a from eTrailer on the same Curt hitch showing all the bolt holes and center to center lines required. My frame rails will accommodate these bolt holes just fine.Attachment 380034

[ChrisDParise]

In my research which is nearly complete, Drawtite also has a 10,000 lb hitch with the same side to side bolt pattern measurements of 38 1/2"

Just talked to my rv dealer service manager and they're ok with doing the work which in my case involves r&r on a welded on angle iron bar for an Ultra Guard Rock guard and moving the header for the rear stabilizer jacks which is attached to the frame rails by large U bolts. Worst case scenario on the rear stabilizer is that it can't be moved because of obstacles but I rarely use them anyway.

After one final check under the rv for any other obstacles I'll probably order the Curt 14053 since I've got the Curt 5000 lb now and being a 2006 has held up very well structurally and cosmetically. Knock on wood the new one lives up to that reputation

[rpasetto]

Originally Posted by ChrisDParise

In my research which is nearly complete, Drawtite also has a 10,000 lb hitch with the same side to side bolt pattern measurements of 38 1/2"

Just talked to my rv dealer service manager and they're ok with doing the work which in my case involves r&r on a welded on angle iron bar for an Ultra Guard Rock guard and moving the header for the rear stabilizer jacks which is attached to the frame rails by large U bolts. Worst case scenario on the rear stabilizer is that it can't be moved because of obstacles but I rarely use them anyway.

After one final check under the rv for any other obstacles I'll probably order the Curt 14053 since I've got the Curt 5000 lb now and being a 2006 has held up very well structurally and cosmetically. Knock on wood the new one lives up to that reputation

Thanks for the update, Chris, Looked up the "Curt 14053" and it turns out it's not for my 2015 model year. Evidently something changed. Will check Curt, Drawtite, Reese and any others I can find to see if they support the newer year.