timcroft1
UK
New Member
Joined: 10/21/2009
View Profile
 Offline
|
I have a trailer that weighs 7725 pounds and want to pull it with a RV with a 5000 pound hitch. What damage can it do to the RV bearing in mind that the RV is empty.
Tim
|
adondo
Pasco, Washington
Senior Member
Joined: 07/28/2004
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club
|
You risk breakage of the hitch receiver components. You may end up with a loose trailer with the remains of the motorhome's receiver still attached. 
FMCA# F355513. 40 foot, one slide, Cat powered Magnum Blue Max chassis, PAC brake PRXB, Allison MD3060, Aqua-Hot, 7.5 KW Quiet Diesel, Howard PCS, Velvet Ride suspension. 2006 Jeep Commander attached via a Blue Ox Aventa II; stopped with a Brake Buddy.
|
John339
Clyde Ca. USA
Senior Member
Joined: 01/24/2002
View Profile
Offline
|
Are your brakes up to the task of stopping this trailer in an emergency?
John and Cindy and Misty Rain and Senor Paco(Chihuahuas)
1994 Coachmen Catalina 300 MB RD
in sunny Clyde, Calif. KE6IDM
|
timcroft1
UK
New Member
Joined: 10/21/2009
View Profile
Offline
|
John339 wrote:Are your brakes up to the task of stopping this trailer in an emergency?
The trailer has its own brakes, seperate to the RV.
|
mpmeisch
Arlington, TN formally Aurora, IL
Senior Member
Joined: 05/17/2008
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club
Offline
|
Its the damage and loss of life to the people on the road behind you that I would worry about when your hitch fails and you kill someone.
Flying for work, cruisin' for fun!
2001 Itasca Suncruiser
|
|
|
tahiti16
Camarillo, CA
Senior Member
Joined: 06/23/2008
View Profile
Offline
|
problem maybe worse than you think, the hitch may be rated for 5k but what does the coach say you can tow? The hitch may be attached to frame extensions and have a lower, like 3500lb limit! Oh and just to add to the doomsayers if you tow above the rating and anything happens, won't matter the cause or who's fault, a starving lawyer will have a field day calling it negligence!
Ray, Cheryl, Cory & of course Miss Molly the four-legged child
2006 Dolphin 36' F53 V10 5 speed auto 2 slides 7.5 KW genset
|
Deen
Vancouver, WA
Senior Member
Joined: 12/07/2000
View Profile
|
timcroft1 wrote:I have a trailer that weighs 7725 pounds and want to pull it with a RV with a 5000 pound hitch. What damage can it do to the RV bearing in mind that the RV is empty.
Tim Under the law it is not really possible to beef what you have up to take that heavy a trailer. It CAN be done, but the RV manufacturer would have to inspect, recertify the vehicle and issue you a new weight certificate. Very few, if any, would do that.
However, we did get that on our DSDP as Newmar had Spartan install the new front axle at the Spartan factory. Then they issued us a modified weight certificate which was affixed to the vehicle.
|
Dog Trainer
Richmond Mi.
Senior Member
Joined: 08/17/2006
View Profile
Offline
|
The hitch at a 5000 lb rating is engineered to perform at that level. By adding 50% more to the hitch weight you are taking many risks. No fear mongering meant when I say that should you be involved in any accident your fault or not the weight may play a significant role in how the courts may asses damages.
There is a weight restriction for a reason and to look beyond that fact is very libellous on your part. Why not get the hitch removed and replaced and all should be much better.
93 Airstream 35' Dp
5.9 230 uprated to 300 HP
Allison MD 3060
Dutchess and Shadow (fur Bearing Children)
|
Corkey05
Washington State
Senior Member
Joined: 06/04/2005
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club
Offline
|
I had the same issue on my last coach with a 5k hitch and took it to Tork-lift ( http://www.torklift.com/ ) in Kent WA. They reinforced they frame and built me a 10k, class IV hitch. As long as you have good trailer brakes and don't surpass your GVWR then it's doable.
Most gas MH's have frame extensions which require reinforcing. The extensions are often overlooked and are just as important as the hitch. It just takes a good professional weld shop to get you into a safe towing condition.
With all that said, I see MH's everyday towing rigs far exceeding specs, but can't remember that last time I saw one sidelined because of towing problems, .. amazing to me, but we see it everyday.
2008 HR Endeavor PDQ - Blazer 4 Down
FMCA F374292
.gif)
|
Gary.
Yukon, OK
Senior Member
Joined: 12/23/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
He may not be able to upgrade the hitch if the chassis is only engineered to handle 3500#.
|
|
|
