I don't know if this is the correct area for this topic. If not then the thread will be moved to the proper location.
I have a 2002 Holiday Rambler 30' Atlantis. It is on a 2001 Ford E450 chassis. The original documentation said that the receiver hitch was rated to tow a maximum of 3500 pounds. Up until now this has not been a problem since my tow car is about 2600 pounds. We are now looking into a car that will be at, or exceed, 3500 pounds. I called HR today about this situation. I was told that the receiver hitch is a class 3 hitch which is rated at 5000 pounds. But I was told that the 3500 pound limit is because of the brakes installed by Ford. Needless to say I was skeptical about this because if memory serves me, other Class C units made by other RV companies (Coachmen, Jayco, etc) using the E450 chassis are rated to tow up to 5000 pounds. Even the 2005 Holiday Rambler Atlantis, which is on the E450 chassis, is rated to tow 5000 pounds. I called Ford and told them of my concern. The rep was giving me numbers, but since I am a visual person I asked her to send me any printed matter related to weight capacities related to towing.
My question to you: should I take what Holiday Rambler is saying to me as truth or should I be skeptical?
Look at the hitch. You'll see right on it that it is rated to 3,500 pounds only. It easily could be one for 5,000 pounds. The only real issue is if the frame extensions are not strong enough, which I doubt because 5,000 pound hitches are now common and I am sure there were no changes to the frames for this.
I think you'd be fine to change the hitch to a 5,000 pound hitch, but I don't know how you'd ever get Holiday Rambler to say it's okay.
I suggest you find out from technical folks sat Holiday Rambler if they made any changes OTHER than the hitch to get the 5,000 pound hitches they use now, since they do now.
You really need some official statement that will take the place of your sticker and change your GCWR to 19,050 based on the 5,000 pound hitch, or even go right to the 20,000 pound limit from Ford with an even bigger hitch (or a weight distribution hitch, which will allow more weight). I don;t know how you do that, though, sorry.
I would say that the Ford chasis can tow much more then 5,000lbs if the hitch was on Fords actual frame, however there are extensions welded on to their frame. The result is a lowered capacity. If you do a search I have read posts that have Fords chasis specs website on them.
More than likely the limit is set by the frame extensions added to the Ford chassis by HR. If you crawl under and look, the extensions are not full frame sized and are primarly for supprting the extra length of the box. Ford may or may not have knowledge of the actual extension. The manufacturer of the coach is supposed to have an aproval from Ford on any frame modificarions.
Any one tells you that they can weld on a 5000# hitch receiver, they are not considerinf the rest of the chassis. Avoid them. Best to stick with dinghies within your weight limits and use a brake system in your dinghy.
For has a 1500# limit on towed loads without brakes. Over 1500# of towed load, the Ford chassis brakes are not sufficient.
Ken
KE5DFR
Vintage 1979 Silver Streak Supreme Rocket toted by a 2002 F350, crewcab dually, 7.3L,4.10 axle,SCMT. Travel with two miniature Schnauzers and one African Gray parrot. Practicing for retirement!
Quote: I would say that the Ford chasis can tow much more then 5,000lbs if the hitch was on Fords actual frame, however there are extensions welded on to their frame. The result is a lowered capacity. If you do a search I have read posts that have Fords chasis specs website on them.
The Ford E450 cutaway chassis is delivered with 20,000 GCWR. I don't think the lower limits have anything to do with frame extensions, but with choice of hitch. I base that on the change in identical models from two model years from 3,500 pound hitch to a 5,000 pound hitch. I'd be very, very surprised if the same model had new frame extensions used in the later year.
I think I'll ask Jayco if there is any reason I could not switch to a 5,000 pound hitch (professionally installed, of course). That would pretty much settle this question for me, at least.
edit: I sent them a note. We'll see what they say. They have been very good about answering my inquiries in the past.
* This post was
edited 08/25/04 09:03pm by Westronics *
Thanks for the responses so far. I am not familiar with extensions made to the chassis. All I know is this: In 2002 my coach has a 3500 pound towing capacity. In 2005 a coach made by the same company on the same E450 chassis has a 5000 pound towing capacity. I want to know what the difference(s) is (are).
Quote: Thanks for the responses so far. I am not familiar with extensions made to the chassis. All I know is this: In 2002 my coach has a 3500 pound towing capacity. In 2005 a coach made by the same company on the same E450 chassis has a 5000 pound towing capacity. I want to know what the difference(s) is (are).
You'll have to ask the company, as I did with Jayco. I doubt there are any changes other than the more capable hitch.
* This post was
edited 11/10/04 11:07am by Westronics *
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks for the responses so far. I am not familiar with extensions made to the chassis. All I know is this: In 2002 my coach has a 3500 pound towing capacity. In 2005 a coach made by the same company on the same E450 chassis has a 5000 pound towing capacity. I want to know what the difference(s) is (are).
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Shpilkah,
I assume the weight sticker on your Atlantis indicates that the GCWR is 3,500 LBS. greater than the GVWR, hence the 3,500 LBS. towing capacity, right?
My 2004 27PBD Atlantis has a 5,000 LBS. towing capacity (though we originally had a 3,500 LBS. receiver and had the dealer swap it out to a 5,000 LBS. receiver).
Here's the e-mail address of a compliance engineer at Monaco/Holiday Rambler who has given me advice in the past on weight issues with my unit: jhoover@monacohr.com. Try sending him an e-mail message for an answer to your question.
Good luck,
Chris
2004 Holiday Rambler Atlantis 27 PBD
1998 Jeep Wrangler (toad)
1997 Yamaha V-Max (for passing RVs in the Colorado canyons)
Blue Ox Aventa II towbar & Brake Buddy
Thanks Chris...I'll do it first thing in the AM. I've called HR tech support for a second time today. The person I spoke to "assured" me that I could tow a car greater than 3500 pounds with the receiver hitch that I have. He also made sure that I didn't hear that from him. I hope the person you have mentioned can give me a more clear-cut answer.
By the way, we are looking into the Jeep Wrangler as a new toad. How do you like it?
Thanks again.
* This post was
edited 08/26/04 09:16pm by Shpilkah *
Quote: Thanks Chris...I'll do it first thing in the AM. I've called HR tech support for a second time today. The person I spoke to "assured" me that I could tow a car greater than 3500 pounds with the receiver hitch that I have...
Check the hitch itself. It's labeled for its capacity. If it is indeed 3,500 pounds then that's your limit, leaving open the question of whether you could swap it out for a 5,000 pound hitch.
Offline
