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spcorvette
Michigan
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Joined: 08/02/2013
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Looking to update the hitch on my 2008 F53 to a #10,000.
The GCVW of my coach will handle this but the production installed hitch is only rated for #5000.
What is everyone using?
Thanks!
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MitchF150
Puyallup, WA
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Joined: 07/13/2002
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I think it's gonna be the limitation of the F53's frame itself, and not just the hitch?
You can probably get any one of the universal fit "Super Hitches" with a 2.5" shank that will have that hitch rating... But, if you just bolt it up to the rigs stock location and don't do any reinforcing of the frame itself, you are essentially in the same boat.
But, if you are going to do all the extra custom work to do that, more power to ya! V10, 14 year old rig... GCWR is probably only #26,000 at best. I think the #5000 'tow rating' is more for the vehicle and not just the hitch??
Good luck! Mitch
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spcorvette
Michigan
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The frame has already been reinforced.
I have spoken directly to the Ford F53 Engineers and the limitation is the hitch that the body builders install. Just looking to upgrade the hitch itself now.
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dodge guy
Bartlett IL
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Joined: 03/23/2004
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In my research the F53 frame is similar in dimensions to an F550 frame. The only difference being there is no cab. The frame rail widths are the same, as well as the axles.
Wife Kim
Son Brandon 17yrs
Daughter Marissa 16yrs
Dog Bailey
12 Forest River Georgetown 350TS Hellwig sway bars, BlueOx TrueCenter stabilizer
13 Ford Explorer Roadmaster Stowmaster 5000, VIP Tow>
A bad day camping is
better than a good day at work!
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wildmanbaker
Kennewick, Washington
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Joined: 02/24/2005
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It is not the MH frame that is the limit, but the extension the MH manufacture adds to the end of the Chassis frame that is the limit. IF you look, it is probably made up of angle iron, flat bar, and sometimes, channel. This is engineered to support the part of the MH that is not mounted on the actual frame. This is why there are different tow weight limits, for the same chassis. You can reinforce the abomination the manufacture installed, but it will be hard to get a licensed mechanical engineer to sign off on it being up-graded for a heaver towing limit.
Wildmanbaker
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spcorvette
Michigan
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No frame extensions, but I have still beefed up the frame.
Been towing with Motorhomes for over 20 years and would never trust a production frame.
There is a big difference in towing a trailer and “Pulling” a Toad. No tongue weight with a Toad.
The body builders always seem to install a generic #5000 hitch, even if the capacity is higher.
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Dale.Traveling
Newport News, VA
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Joined: 12/16/2010
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spcorvette wrote:,,, The body builders always seem to install a generic #5000 hitch, even if the capacity is higher.
They do that because if they put a 10K hitch on a coach that can't tow that much weight someone, actually may someones, will attempt to tow 10K because that's the number on the hitch so that must be the limit for the coach.
2006 Hurricane 31D built on a 2006 Ford F53
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