Is 16K hitch large enough? - RV-Dreams Community Forum

DebbieM · RV-Dreams Family Member

Is 16K hitch large enough?

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

remember the 13k dry weight alot of times does not include add ons....or tank volumes...its just a basic weight average.....Mfg. and dealers do not weigh each unit......If you weigh the one you just purchased you will see this first hand

that being said.....their are more overweight coaches on the road than under.....

if it was me..(IMHO) what is the safety margin on the hitch....if no one could give me a documented answer I would step up to the next size just for a piece of mind knowing the wear factor & safety is greater....again IMHO

-- Edited by Lucky Mike on Thursday 24th of April 2014 11:47:55 AM

Howard · Host

If you are going to be full-time, I would definitely go with the larger hitch, maybe a 20K if that were an option. Of course, I like safety margins everywhere I can get them. And the 25K would certainly cover you if you changed to a heavier rig in the future.

P.S. Since June of 2008, manufacturers are, by law, supposed to weigh each unit and label it accordingly.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

I agree with Howard on this one. I am a firm believer in having a cushion with weights. Our trailer has a GVWR of 18,500 lbs and the smallest hitch I would consider was a 22,000 lb rated Reese hitch. I would also recommend the 25K.

Terry

DebbieM · RV-Dreams Family Member

For $250 more, it was a no-brainer to upgrade to the 26K Silver Addition Husky Dual Pivot. Thanks guys!!

TRAILERKING · RV-Dreams Family Member

This should be sufficient!

http://ww1.safholland.ca/sites/canada/en-CA/products/fifthwheels/fw35series/Pages/HOLLAND%20FW35.aspx

.......But then might need a BIGGER truck. Hahaha

-- Edited by TRAILERKING on Thursday 24th of April 2014 10:01:44 PM

0nTheRoad · RV-Dreams Community Member

I was told by a number of people that your hitch should be rated for a load of at least 20% more than your anticipated load. If it were me, I would go no lower than a 20K hitch...our 5'er is ~16.500 and I have a 25K hitch, I'm not taking a chance!!

Rob_Fla · RV-Dreams Family Member

Good move, we started out with the 16K Husky Hitch we had for about 10 years.
We pulled our previous 28 Ft 5er (approx. 9,500 lb. loaded weight) with it for years with no issues.
Our current 5er is much heaver, approx. 15,700 lbs. loaded weight.
The Husky was showing quite a bit of wear so we decided to replace it with a heaver rated hitch.
We went with the Curt Q24, 24,000 lb. rated hitch, much more solid when towing, glad we made the change.