Increasing Tongue and Towing Capacity

MTPaul · 01-18-2021, 07:05 PM

I own a 2019 Jayco Eagle 25.5 REOK fifth wheel that is being pulled by a 2016 RAM 2500 turbo diesel. This trailer has a standard integrated rear 2 inch receiver hitch and it is rated as having a 300 lb. tongue capacity and a 3,000 lb. towing capacity. I am upgrading my off road vehicle from a Polaris ATV to a Polaris Ranger and I want to be able to safely tow the Ranger behind the fifth wheel trailer. My new aluminum Ranger trailer weighs 600 lbs. and the dry weight of the Ranger is 1,922 lbs. putting me within about 500 lbs. of the maximum towing capacity of the stock fifth wheel hitch. Has anyone else increased the towing capacity of a similar Jayco fifth wheel trailer by modifying the stock hitch and if so what modifications did you (or someone else) do to "beef up" the capacity? For my own peace of mind I would rather not tread too closely to the maximum towing capacity. If possible pictures and a parts list would be greatly appreciated. I can't wait for the 2021 camping season to begin! Thank you.

Ringneks · 01-18-2021, 08:33 PM

I had a local shop remove the factory hitch and install a new hitch, $400 bucks, this company actually does quite a few for several rv dealers in the area. You might want ask your dealer if they know of a local shop to do it unless your dead set on doing it yourself.

MTPaul · 01-18-2021, 09:29 PM

Thank you for the reply. If it isn’t too much of a haste could you send a close-up picture or two of the modified hitch? I see you are towing a similar side by side so no doubt the hitch is stout enough for my Ranger and trailer. The pictures might help provide my local shop with guidance or insight for the fabrication. Thank you for your help.

Ringneks · 01-18-2021, 09:43 PM

I can in a day or two if that works?

MTPaul · 01-18-2021, 09:47 PM

That’ll be just fine! My fifth wheel trailer is in storage at the moment and the Ranger’s trailer won’t be delivered for a couple weeks. I’ll be very grateful for any help you can offer. Thank you..

Ringneks · 01-19-2021, 05:26 PM

Send me a private message with your email and I will send you all the pictures I took.

Grumpy · 01-19-2021, 05:29 PM

I'd remove that and send it too him in a PM. Best way to get spam and or hacked is with your email out in public.

Ringneks · 01-19-2021, 05:37 PM

Thanks grumpy, can you edit yours?

**Midnightmoon** · 01-19-2021, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ringneks

Thanks grumpy, can you edit yours?

I took care of it for you.

billcf7 · 01-20-2021, 08:53 AM

Your 3000# is calculated into your GCWR, check your rv weight sticker, so legally you cannot exceed. see below the specs for your rv

Unloaded Vehicle Weight (lbs) 8290
Dry Hitch Weight (lbs) 1440
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (lbs) 9995
Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) 12995
Cargo Carrying Capacity (lbs) 1705

MTPaul · 01-20-2021, 11:06 AM

billcf7 thank you for the reply. I think I understand what you are saying but let's make sure. If my current fifth wheel trailer's GCWR is 12,995 lbs and the trailer's GVWR is 9,995 lbs, the difference between the two is the 3,000 lb (12,995-9,995) towing capacity, correct? If I understand you correctly, since my new Ranger's dry weight is 1,922 lbs and the new tow behind trailer for the Ranger weighs 600 lbs, I am still within the 3,000 lb towing capacity limit (1,922+600) correct? But back to my original question. This new set-up puts me within 478 lbs of the 3,000 lb towing capacity (1,922+600 = 2,522 lbs) and for added peace of mind I still would like to reinforce the hitch to account for the additional load beyond what I was formerly towing with a single Polaris ATV and trailer. If I understand you correctly, my new Ranger set-up will still legally fall within the 3,000 lb towing capacity.

billcf7 · 01-20-2021, 01:22 PM

Your hitch capacity is 3000# but it is not going to fail right above that. I think you are not going to have any issues being close to the rating on hitch

MTPaul · 01-20-2021, 04:26 PM

Thank you for the suggestions and insight.

Leon · 01-27-2021, 02:21 PM

The trailer has a gross weight of 10000 pounds so it should haul it pretty easily on its own without ITV trailer ,the trailer on the back with Utv on it this hardly gonna change weight on the a specialty if have less weighted stuff in RV staying below gross weight .The added trailer doesn’t increase tongue weight that makes better

specialK · 01-27-2021, 04:47 PM

I'm confused on something here. You're towing a trailer behind your fifth wheel? So basically two trailers behind your truck? If so, that total weight rating doesnt count toward load or GVW on your fifth wheel. Only about 10% of that, which would be the tongue weight. What that would count toward though would be the GCVWR of the truck itself. A class III hitch itself can handle that trailer no problem. But you're going to need to do the math on that and see where you are total weight - truck, fifth wheel, trailer, and anything loaded into those trailers, including people and cargo and the truck.

If it's something else, let me know. Because I'll be honest, I didn't follow your original post, and I'm genuinely curious.

billcf7 · 01-28-2021, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by specialK

I'm confused on something here. You're towing a trailer behind your fifth wheel? So basically two trailers behind your truck? If so, that total weight rating doesnt count toward load or GVW on your fifth wheel. . Only about 10% of that, which would be the tongue weight. What that would count toward though would be the GCVWR of the truck itself. A class III hitch itself can handle that trailer no problem. But you're going to need to do the math on that and see where you are total weight - truck, fifth wheel, trailer, and anything loaded into those trailers, including people and cargo and the truck.

If it's something else, let me know. Because I'll be honest, I didn't follow your original post, and I'm genuinely curious.

Yes it does count against trailer GVWR
He wanted to know if he needs to beef up the hitch on FW because he is close to rating of hitch

specialK · 01-28-2021, 04:14 PM

Gotcha. That makes sense.

In which case, I still stick by my theory of it shouldn't be a problem. 2" receiver is a class III. Can handle that trailer no problem. I would just check and make sure the receiver is frame mounted. Too many I've seen are not, just welded or bolted to a crossmember under there, no structural support. Like somebody installed it just to carry a small cargo rack.

billcf7 · 01-28-2021, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by specialK

Gotcha. That makes sense.

In which case, I still stick by my theory of it shouldn't be a problem. 2" receiver is a class III. Can handle that trailer no problem. I would just check and make sure the receiver is frame mounted. Too many I've seen are not, just welded or bolted to a crossmember under there, no structural support. Like somebody installed it just to carry a small cargo rack.

I agree

Ringneks · 01-29-2021, 02:23 PM

Forgot to mention I drive with my rear camera on just so I can see what’s going on back there, so if you don’t have the rear camera I would suggest you get one.

EricGlamper · 02-02-2021, 05:55 AM

One quick note.....don't forget that whatever tongue weight your Ranger trailer has will come OFF the truck pin weight and is transferred to trailer tires. So if you had the full 300 tongue weight at the rear, you'd be dropping roughly 300 lbs off your truck (exact ratio depends on the fifth wheel's axles location) and 600 lbs is being added to the camper's tires. Just make certain those tires are good for that additional weight. You may notice some handling differences as well. Safe travels!

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