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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> Buying An RV -> 5000lb Hitch?
Post Info TOPIC: 5000lb Hitch?
Dogpatch


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5000lb Hitch?
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Okay, so the possible new to us diachronic has a 5000lb hitch. My truck I'll be towing is 5600lbs. Can the Reese hitch be modified legally to pull my truck? 

I know now it can be beefed up but can it be legal and certified or do I have to replace it with a 10000lb hitch?

I don't want an issue going down the road!



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Lucky Mike


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it will depend on the frame ........contact the Mfg. of the coach.......it doesnt matter how much the hitch will hold......a factory hitch takes into consideration frame stress...drive line stress...safe vehicle handling while towing.

you could put a 20k hitch back there.....but will the coach support the stress it creates?

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Selah


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As Lucky Mike said (well basically) it not just the hitch that limits towing capacity. It has to do with the frame stress, braking, transmission cooling, and probably some other stuff as well. I would follow LM's advice and contact the coach mfgr.



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Dogpatch


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I was told today from a hitch shop that it doesn't really matter if I am over the 5000lb on the hitch rating as I am towing 4 down. There is really no tongue weight to apply.

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Les, Bonnie, Morgan and 4 Legger - Bella

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Terry and Jo


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With regards to the hitches, there is more to it than just the tongue weight.  When we had our fifth wheel built, the factory installed a receiver for towing purposes.  The capacity of the hitch also has to consider towing weight as well as tongue weight.  While my memory isn't the best, I'm thinking we have capacities on our hitch of something like 300 lbs tongue weight and about 3500 lbs of towing weight.  When towing up grades, the full weight of the towed vehicle will be a force against that hitch.

When one looks at the towing capacities of trucks for instance, that towing capacity is based on numerous factors, including the frames and axles.

Right now, I don't have a lot of faith in the people at the hitch shop.

Terry



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