Currently, I am towing a Pontiac Sunfire on a Dolly. I am planning on going to flat-towing a pickup truck. So, I started checking out all the specs on my 2004 Georgetown. While it appears I can flat-tow a max of 5,000 lbs I am O.K. I went a step further and looked at the hitch. It's a Putnam hitch that's rated at 3500 lbs max. Why would Forest River put a 3500 lb. hitch on a MH that can tow 5,000 lbs? Anyone else have this situation, and is it a problem?
I know.............someone will tell me I should have checked it when I purchased it, but when you buy a motorhome with a hitch, you assume (yeah, I know what that means, too) that you can hook up a small car and start traveling.
Any input would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Barry
2004 Forest River 342XL
1500 Suzuki Intruder
Pontiac Sunfire
They probably assume like most you will be towing a small car. To bad they didn't just put a hitch that matches the limit. Are you sure 5000# would be enough to flat tow a truck? My quad trailer is almost 1200# it would have to be a pretty light truck and trailer and those car haulers can be heavy.
There is more involved than just the hitch rating.
Does the chassis have the capacity for a higher rating.
Are there any frame extensions that are added by Forest River. Many times the chassis manufacturer's frame does not extend the full length of the motorhome. So the motorhome builder has to extend the frame. Are these frame extensions strong enough for a higher towing load?
Replying to both of you guys, it's probably going to be a Chevy Colorado, which I think will be O.K., and as far as the chassis, the Ford F53 Spec Sheet says 5,000 lbs, and there is no extension on the frame. My thought is that they should have put a 5,000 lb. hitch on it.
Often, the manufacturer will chew into the towing capacity with extra weight on the coach and therefore try to cover their liability by putting a lighter hitch on board.
You may want to look at the GVWR of the coach and your actual weights. Once you have enough capacity there, you can move to the hitch. In any case, it sounds like your towing capacity is going to be 3500lbs or less.
Donna and Brian
Sebastian, FL
'07 Chevy Duramax 2500
08 Travel Lite Truck Camper
2008 HD RoadKing
I have the same situation on my Four Winds Windsport. It has 6,000# available on the wieghts but only a 350/3500# hitch. Do hitches have any latitude on the tow wieght? My Vue is right at 3,400# and I'd like to put my bikes on the toad.
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