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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> Toads -> Trailer hitch capacity for toads...
Post Info TOPIC: Trailer hitch capacity for toads...
arcaguy


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Trailer hitch capacity for toads...
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OK guys and gals here's my dilemma.  I will be towing a 2004 Ford F150 HD with a GVWR of 8,200 lbs.  I will have it loaded fairly close to that with a 1,000 lb motorcycle and other stuff.  The coach I'm looking at has a hitch with a capacity of 7,500 lbs for a non-weight distributed hitch and 12,000 with a weight distributed hitch.  My thinking is that I can use the 12,000 capacity as a toad is natively weight distributed as there in minimal tongue weight of around 25 lbs., half of the tow bar weight.  However etrailer tells me that I should use the 7,500 lb. number as I don't have a weight distributing hitch.  I'm thinking this is just them being ultra conservative for liability reasons.  Anyone have any insights here? 



-- Edited by arcaguy on Wednesday 5th of August 2020 06:40:36 AM

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LarryW21


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You have almost no weight on the hitch, so you can’t “distribute” anything forward or to the rear. Isn’t the “goal” of that limit...no excessive weight bearing down on the hitch? I say 12,000.

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LarryW21


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Surprised that more comments and opinions haven’t been posted. I was looking forward to reading other thoughts!

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Winnebago TT 2101DS & 2020 Silverado LTZ Z71. 300 watts WindyNation solar w/MPPT, 2 Trojan T-125s. TALL flag pole. Prefer USFS, COE, BLM, USF&WS, NPS, TVA, state/county camps. 14 year Army vet-11B40 then 11A - old MOS 1542 & 1560.
arcaguy


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I'll give it a little while longer, folks might chime in.

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Terry and Jo


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Dave,

I can't answer specifically to your question, but I can give something of an answer.  When we ordered our fifth wheel (yes, capacities will be a lot less), we were informed that the receiver hitch put on at the factory had a "tongue weight" of 300 lbs and that the "towing weight" was 3000 lbs.

I'm presuming that their specification is for the towing weight, so the hitch weight would be totally unimportant in your case.

If I were you, I'd take your question to the manufacturer of your RV and explain your circumstances.  I take it that your hitch is NOT weight distributing, so I'd talk with them about solutions.  Perhaps a change of hitches?

Perhaps they are looking at liability, but if I were you, I would as well.  It's like the old saying for those towing trailers, it is better to have too much truck than not enough. 

Terry



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