Just a question on hitches

[ready2retire&drive]

I am planning on upgrading my trailer to enclosed unit about 10,000lbs roughly . On my 2015 37rb with the air ride rear suspension is it advisable to install equilizer hitch on trailer. I haul a small open atv trailer now, but moving up to more weight not sure of the upgrades required, as usual thanks for any info on towing, hitches and max weights these beauty's can haul, gord

[bansai]

A good guideline for weight-distributing hitches is that you should use one if the trailer weighs more than 50-percent of the tow vehicle's weight. I'm guessing the answer in your case is going to be yes unless for some reason your tow vehicle weighs 20,000 pounds, in which case I'd like to see a picture.

[Rustic Eagle]

Bansai,

Originally Posted by bansai

snip.......unless for some reason your tow vehicle weighs 20,000 pounds, in which case I'd like to see a picture.

Actually the OP's 2015 Seneca 37RB has a GVWR of 28,000lbs and a GCWR of 33,000lbs, this isn't a typical WDH application TV.

I would recommend that member "Ready2retire&drive" refer to his owners manual on the usage of a WDH with his particular motorhome (Freightliner frame), and confirm his OEM receiver Weight Carrying and Weight Distribution mode ratings. Also confirming the loaded weight of the 37RB would be required for GVWR & GCWR available weight considerations.

Bob

[bansai]

Originally Posted by Rustic Eagle

Bansai,


Actually the OP's 2015 Seneca 37RB has a GVWR of 28,000lbs and a GCWR of 33,000lbs, this isn't a typical WDH application TV.

I would recommend that member "Ready2retire&drive" refer to his owners manual on the usage of a WDH with his particular motorhome (Freightliner frame), and confirm his OEM receiver Weight Carrying and Weight Distribution mode ratings. Also confirming the loaded weight of the 37RB would be required for GVWR & GCWR available weight considerations.

Bob

Holy moley... ok I'm out of my league on answering this one lol.

Err... umm, what Bob said X2.

[bankr63]

LOL @bansai. Was thinking the same thing, but the nickle dropped in time. @ready2retire&drive, this question might get a little more traction over on the Class C forum rather than here in the "Welcome Mat".

[RVermont]

The base weight of a late model ( freightliner) with full water and fuel tanks is about 21500 lbs. this allows about 6500 lbs for occupants gear food etc. then another 5000 lbs for a trailer. The heavier the trailer the less you can haul in the unit. I think most people gear and fuel come on around 24-25000 lbs. the base weight is what was delivered from the factory with full fuel and water and can be found on the chassis labels.

[RVermont]

If you want to haul 10000 trailer you have to be careful on what you carry for gear. There are several posts with specific weight examples

Happy travels.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by bankr63

snip.....this question might get a little more traction over on the Class C forum rather than here in the "Welcome Mat".

I advised the JOF Site Team earlier with the same recommendation (relocate thread).

Bob

[repacs0103]

Sway control might be helpful, but a WDH is by no means needed- even at 10k you're at half the weight of a Seneca. You would probably be over GCWR but the GCWR noted seems woefully low- I'm wondering if freightliner dumbs down the ratings for MH chassis. The chassis could more than handle a combined weight of upwards of 50-60k..... the weak link would be the engine and trans. The 6.7 and smaller Allison would be working pretty hard to lug all that weight. Personally I'd say go for it, but you'll be pulling grades slow. The reality is that the M2 chassis is built for well over that much weight and commercial freightliners do that much and more every day safely and legally

My delivery truck for work is a 33000 gvwr GMC with a similar size engine and 6 speed manual. We load the truck out to capacity and pull 15000 behind it,so a combined weight of 48000, and it handles the load with zero issues, but it's a dog.


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[norty1]

Moved to class C forum

[WaltW]

ready2retire&drive, I know there are other Seneca owners that are towing trailers circa 10,000 lbs. I don't know if they use a weight distribution hitch. You might get some to read your post if you were to title it "considerations for towing 10,000 lb trailer".

Having springs vs air suspension does not affect towing.

[ready2retire&drive]

Sorry to any guy's I may have sent on the wrong path am still trying to figure this posting stuff out. My previous unit was a leaf spring assembly, but some of the guy's here are hauling some good weight was trying to pick their brains, as asking for help from those more experienced is easier and less expensive than breaking or endangering something or somebody. thanks for your patience

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by ready2retire&drive

Sorry to any guy's I may have sent on the wrong path am still trying to figure this posting stuff out.....snip

No apology necessary..., your asking some good questions that deserve related JOF sub-forum visibility.

Your posting is spot-on!

Bob

[jschulz1720]

Is the trailer 10,000 loaded or empty? My question would be, isn't that a lot of trailer for the 10,000 rated hitch?

[WaltW]

I found an older thread "Does the Seneca have enough power" in which 2 owners
memphis02 tows 8000+ lbs and Slowpoke tows 7640 lbs. Reach out to these 2 and you will probably get the info you are looking for.

If they don't respond in the forum please repost what you learn for others benefit.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by WaltW

I found an older thread "Does the Seneca have enough power" in which 2 owners memphis02 tows 8000+ lbs and Slowpoke tows 7640 lbs......snip

JOF thread "Does the Seneca have enough power" link:

http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f5...wer-38495.html

Bob

[ready2retire&drive]

Thanks WaltW I looked through that old thread it looks like my first step is to weigh the unit fully loaded and wet then work my math back from there, just means trailer change's may have to be made. gord

[WaltW]

When you get done weighing your rig also verify what your tires pressures should be set at. Makes a difference in handling, wear, etc.

[SloPoke]

Originally Posted by WaltW

ready2retire&drive, I know there are other Seneca owners that are towing trailers circa 10,000 lbs. I don't know if they use a weight distribution hitch. You might get some to read your post if you were to title it "considerations for towing 10,000 lb trailer".

Having springs vs air suspension does not affect towing.

We have a tendency to roll heavy.. We Boondock 90% and haul everything with us. Our trailer is 28-feet rated at 10,000 lbs. We have a tool box on the toungue with Jacks, chain and heavy equipment. A 35 gallon Water tank, Deck for the Yamaha Kodiak 400 and the back deck for the Toyota FJ Cruiser. All of this puts us at trailer capacity with a hitch weight adjusted by where I strap down the Toyota over the trailer axles.

When we roll this heavy... we try to keep our GCVW under the 33k by leaving the tanks empty until we get to our destination, and fill up there(or right before we arrive).

We are using the stock hitch receiver on the back of the Seneca... it is rated at 10k, and you MUST use a hitch that is rated at 10k too (many are not) the trailer is Hydraulic Surge brakes and works amazingly well.

As far as power of the Seneca pulling over grades... We live in Utah, where we can't get out of town without climbing an 8%'r. (Look up Parleys Canyon, Daniels Summit or Wolf Creek Pass on google)

Just keep the total weight under the 33k GCWR and you will enjoy it!

[Rustic Eagle]

SloPoke,

Just curious, what are the weight ratings stamped on your Seneca's OEM receiver?

Originally Posted by SloPoke

snip..... We are using the stock hitch receiver on the back of the Seneca... it is rated at 10k,....snip

There must be a typo in the 2014, 2015, and 2016 Seneca Owners Manuals, they state: "The factory installed towing hitch on this vehicle is capable of pulling 5,000 lbs. of load (maximum), however the vertical (tongue) weight will vary according to the towed vehicle."

However, the 2017 Seneca Owners Manual states: "The factory installed towing hitch on this vehicle is capable of pulling 15,000 pounds of load (maximum), and a maximum vertical (tongue) weight of 1,500 pounds."



Bob