Has anyone using weight distribution for your Class C towing enclosed trailer? I have my hitch re-enforced by local RV shop and thinking to use weight distribution to tow 18' enclosed trailer (5800 lbs loaded and 860 lbs TW)
Thanks for your input.
Can you give us more info? What make, model, year & chassis is your Class C?
I believe I've seen it posted here numerous times that the majority of motorhome manufacturers do not approve of weight distributing hitches on their motorhomes. What does the owner's manual for your rig say?
5,800 lbs. is a lot of weight for many C's. Some only have a 3,500 lbs. hitch, most are limited to 5,000 lbs. What does the "local RV shop" have to say about your plans? Will they warranty their work and be responsible for any damages?
860 lbs. of tongue weight is quite a bit. That weight needs to be carried by your rear axle, which is why I guess you're looking at using a weight distributing hitch.
All that said, do you know the actual weights of the rig and how they compare to the chassis specs? It sounds like you're going to be overloaded, and if so, I would think you'd want to know just "how over" you're going to be. Tires may be a key area of concern.
If you give us some more info, we might be able to help more.
~Rick
2005 Georgie Boy 3625 DS on a Workhorse W-22 (Class A)
Rick, Gail, 1 girl (12-Angel), 1 girl (7), 2 boys (8 & 5), 1 plump Golden Retriever.
2001 Honda Odyssey with Demco Aluminator tow bar & tow plate, SMI Silent Partner brake controller.
Keep in mind it's not just about hitch, pulling and load capacities.
It's also about braking and the rig's ability to stop safely. ~bugjr ~
1993 Glendale Royal Classic Ford E350; 460EFI; E4OD; Drives 26'/Sits 29' with rear slide; Michelin LTX/M&S; New Monroe "SC2955" Damper & anti-sway bar bushings; Rebuilt Rear Leafs; Bilstein B46-1613/14; Should be "pristine" by 2009 or 2010 or ...
Ford makes the chassis, and does not disallow use of weight distribution. If anything, using WD will reduce frame deflection. And if the frame was stretched correctly, no deductions need to be taken due to the stretch.
Just make sure the receiver is designed to transfer weight forward. Receivers that are ok to use with WD will have extended hanger arms that attach to the frame across a span of 12-24".
* This post was
edited 03/11/08 01:49pm by carringb *
Bryan
2000 Ford E350 DRW Wagon (14-pass all captains chairs)
V10 w/ Banks PowerPack, Diablo Predator, 4.56 LS, 230,000+ miles
Had: Weekend Warrior 41' FSW (still looking for its replacement)
I agree with Bryan!!!!!!!!! Check your hitch most are only 3500# and are not intended for the weight distribution set ups you will need a min of 5000#. It will work I tow a 3 horse slant load with mine but never full. Hope this helps.. JIM
The Camperkids Jim & Lois
3 Grandkids Maria, Christian, Antony (part timers)
1999 Coachmen Leprechaun 290RF
Ford E450 V-10
Thanks everyone for yours input.
After local RV shop reinforced the RV hitch (3500 lbs original) by welding and braced at the rear frame extension and the hitch they recommended to use the weight distribution since I told them that I will be towing 18' enclosed trailer 7k lbs gross weight.
I have 2001 Ford E450 26' no slide and here is from local scale station
Motorhome fully loaded front axle 2700 lbs rear axle 10,200 lbs.
Motorhone fully loaded total 12,900 lbs.
Gross trailer weight 5,840 lbs.
Trailer tongue weight 860 lbs.
Trailer gross weight when connected to motorhome 4,980 lbs.
Before buying the weight distribution I want to see how much tongue weight it will transfer to the motorhome. I also tow the same trailer with my 04 Durango.
I have air bag on both TV so I dont see that much weight applied to my TV's rear axle at this time but if there is a way to transfer some tongue weight to TV I think it better.
I believe according to the numbers you published, you need a lot more weight on your front axle and need to remove a lot from the rear axle. I'm assuming those front and rear axle weights are with the trailer connected, correct?
I believe the E-450 has a rear GAWR of 9,450 lbs., which means you're 750 lbs. over the rear GAWR.
I think somewhere on this forum it's posted that Ford recommends about 34% of the vehicles' weight on the front axle and 66% on the rear axle. (I forgot the exact ratio, hopefully someone here will cite the true numbers.) You've only got about 21% of the weight on your front axle.
Is there anyway you can relocate stuff in the RV up towards the front?
Well, anyway you do it, you'll probably be over your rear GAWR, so keep a close eye on tire & brake condition and maintenance.
00zx6r wrote: ... snipped ... I have 2001 Ford E450 26' no slide and here is from local scale station Motorhome fully loaded front axle 2700 lbs rear axle 10,200 lbs. Motorhone fully loaded total 12,900 lbs.
Gross trailer weight 5,840 lbs.
Trailer tongue weight 860 lbs.
Trailer gross weight when connected to motorhome 4,980 lbs.
IMHO - these front/rear numbers don't seem quite right. Based on my weight balancing experience with my rig, it seems you have an almost impossible weight bias to the rear.
Are you sure you divided/weighed your rig at the halfway point defined as the the halfway point of your wheelbase (measured from the axle center of both front and rear wheels) ... not the halfway point of the entire length (bumper to bumper) of your unit?
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