What would it take to increase Tow rating?

[3stooge]

I am looking at a 27' Sunseeker tomorrow. It is a 2013 model with an E450 chassis. It is rated at 5,000 lb tow capacity.

I notice from an online search that it seems that 2014 and newer versions all have the 7,500 lb tow rating.

Can someone tell me what changed to increase the rating? Was it something as simple as swapping out the hitch or adding air bags? Or was there something done to the frame?

I'm mainly interested in towing my boat right now which would be fine with the 5,000 pound rating, but in the future I would like to start towing our GMC Canyon and I'd like the tow rating to be 7,500 for that.

Thanks for any insight.

[timfromma]

Nevermind tow capacity and look at payload capacity. This is the number you will hit first.

[robbiels7]

The only real way to increase is to do and add a leaf or to put bigger leaf sings on all together. The frame and tires are still limited but that should work for a boat.

[3stooge]

Wow. Quick replies. Thanks.

Here are the specs for the 2013 model:
Dry Weight 11,200 lbs.

Payload Capacity 3,350 lbs.

Towing Capacity 5,000 lbs.

GVWR 14,500 lbs.
https://www.rvusa.com/rv-guide/2013-...-2450s-tr15137


Here are the specs for the 2014 model:
Dry Weight 11,200 lbs.

Payload Capacity 3,350 lbs.

Towing Capacity 7,500 lbs.

GVWR 14,500 lbs.
https://www.rvusa.com/rv-guide/2014-...-2450s-tr21380


So, dry weight and GVWR are both the same, but the towing capacities are increased for the 2014 model. What gives?

[timfromma]

Payload capacity is the amount of weight the frame and suspension can carry. Towing capacity is the amount of weight that can be pulled behind. Looks like they increased the engine torque but did nothing to beef up the frame and suspension.

All the towing capacity in the world will do you no good if you don't have the payload capacity to carry the tongue weight.

[robbiels7]

Use the same suspension but more powerful motor Maybe?? Not sure And yes Tim is correct with the payload but Springs will help you in both cases

[Kevin & Judy]

I believe that Ford changed the Rating in 2014, I heard that they had done something to the frame to make that change. Might check with Fords Tech line.

[3stooge]

Originally Posted by timfromma

Payload capacity is the amount of weight the frame and suspension can carry. Towing capacity is the amount of weight that can be pulled behind. Looks like they increased the engine torque but did nothing to beef up the frame and suspension.

All the towing capacity in the world will do you no good if you don't have the payload capacity to carry the tongue weight.

Both years use the V10 engine with identical HP and Torque listed. 305hp and 420 lb-ft torque.

[timfromma]

It does look like you've got payload capacity to spare.

A good rule of thumb is that a trailer put's 15% of it's total weight on the hitch. With 5000lbs of towing capacity, that translates into only 750 lbs of tongue weight. However with the increased towing capacity of 7500 lbs, you will carry only 1125lbs of weight on the hitch.

This is a rare case where you will exceed the tow capacity way before cargo capacity is reached. For most of us, it's the other way around.

[DieselDrax]

Originally Posted by timfromma

It does look like you've got payload capacity to spare.

A good rule of thumb is that a trailer put's 15% of it's total weight on the hitch. With 5000lbs of towing capacity, that translates into only 750 lbs of tongue weight. However with the increased towing capacity of 7500 lbs, you will carry only 1125lbs of weight on the hitch.

This is a rare case where you will exceed the tow capacity way before cargo capacity is reached. For most of us, it's the other way around.

...because the OP has a motorhome and not a pickup.

[llr]

are you flat towing (4 down) if so then this is one case where payload doesn't matter since you would be adding under 50lbs to the motor home. If you are going to tow on a flat or enclosed trailer it becomes much more of an issue.

I would not do it without a breaking system in the Canyon.

it you do it I suggest keeping an eye on the transmission and engine temperature, if they stay OK I wouldn't worry about it.

[3stooge]

Originally Posted by llr

are you flat towing (4 down) if so then this is one case where payload doesn't matter since you would be adding under 50lbs to the motor home. If you are going to tow on a flat or enclosed trailer it becomes much more of an issue.

I would not do it without a breaking system in the Canyon.

it you do it I suggest keeping an eye on the transmission and engine temperature, if they stay OK I wouldn't worry about it.

I haven't put a lot of thought into towing the truck yet. Mainly getting the MH so I can tow my boat. But then I started thinking that towing the truck would be nice. Initially I was thinking of looking into a flatbead car trailer for towing the truck.

[DieselDrax]

Originally Posted by 3stooge

I haven't put a lot of thought into towing the truck yet. Mainly getting the MH so I can tow my boat. But then I started thinking that towing the truck would be nice. Initially I was thinking of looking into a flatbead car trailer for towing the truck.

What year is your Canyon? Is it 4WD? Not sure about the 1st gen Canyons, but the second gen 4WD can be flat-towed without issue and are under 5,000lb. Second-gen 2WD cannot be flat towed.

[3stooge]

I'm really starting to think that Forest River must have just installed a class of hitch only rated for 5,000 lb for the 2013 and earlier models. I'm betting simply swapping out the hitch for a beefier one that is rated for 7,500 is all that would be needed.

The motorhome is about a 3 hour drive away, so it's not like I can just go take a quick look.

The E450 chassis I believe is rated for 22,000 lb. The motorhome is 14,500 GVWR; so it should be able to have a 7,500 lb tow rating.

[3stooge]

Originally Posted by DieselDrax

What year is your Canyon? Is it 4WD? Not sure about the 1st gen Canyons, but the second gen 4WD can be flat-towed without issue and are under 5,000lb. Second-gen 2WD cannot be flat towed.

2018 Canyon with 4WD.

[DieselDrax]

Originally Posted by 3stooge

2018 Canyon with 4WD.

Ok, so the option to flat tow is there if you're worried about the tow rating. Plus no trailer to deal with storing/parking at your destinations.

[LegacyFB38]

Nothing short of a small fortune invested in engineering, test, and certification will increase the tow RATING.

Back to the real world: Ideally find someone that has done what you want and learn from any trial and error they went through. Over-kill is not a bad thing when modifying something that could have serious consequences.

[MikeRP]

Hey I’ve already done this to a 2012 3010ds. The limitation is the hitch itself. I ordered he new hitch and my dealer installed it. Mine is rated at 14500 GVWR and gross combined 22000. Not a big deal. My understand is on the 5000 lb hitch the break away rings are not strong enough. But there is very little difference between them.

[3stooge]

Originally Posted by MikeRP

Hey I’ve already done this to a 2012 3010ds. The limitation is the hitch itself. I ordered he new hitch and my dealer installed it. Mine is rated at 14500 GVWR and gross combined 22000. Not a big deal. My understand is on the 5000 lb hitch the break away rings are not strong enough. But there is very little difference between them.

Awesome. Very good to hear. Thank you.

Makes me feel a lot better about driving the 3+ hours to look at the motorhome.

[n-e-d]

Agree with Kevin&Judy ,my 2015 has a GCVR of 22000# which allows the 7500# tow rating but that is based on a WDH being used over 5000#(something most chose to ignore). The tongue weight towing the Canyon would only be the weight of the tow bars if 4 down. Curb weight of the Canyon is around 4500# so unless your going to use a dolly you be just under the 5000# tow rating.My Cherokke is approximately the same weight