Upgrade hitch receiver

[Karter]

I would like to carry 2 scooters, about 200# each the carrier 100#. The carrying capacity on my hitch receiver is 350#. Has anyone had a new receiver installed that will carry more weight? I don't want to use a trailer. My MB Solera is 24". Any ideas/advice would be appreciated!

[Still Kickin]

The next class up is; Class 4 (Class IV) trailer hitch Trailer hitch with weight carrying rating of up to 10,000 lbs gross trailer weight and 1,000 - 1,200 lbs tongue weight. Although many times any hitch with a capacity greater than 5,000 lbs gross weight is referred to as a class four. Also, check the labeling stamped into the hitch to make sure it is a 350# tongue wt.

Best bet would to spec it for the sprinter so it bolts up. Like these; Sprinter Hitch: Towing & Hauling | eBay

Just dbl check on tongue weight rating, because the farther you get away from the receiver, the greater the mutiplier on tongue weight.

[bclemens]

Don't forget that doing it that way takes 500 lbs right off your carrying capacity..which is not a ton to start with on a Sprinter chassis.

[MNtraveler]

Originally Posted by bclemens

Don't forget that doing it that way takes 500 lbs right off your carrying capacity..which is not a ton to start with on a Sprinter chassis.

Are you referring to the 2 x 200# plus carrier 100# = 500#? Because that's the added cargo weight. But there would also be additional weight by moving to a higher capacity receiver hitch (new hitch weight less old hitch weight).

[Karter]

I am more confused than ever. Here is what I have come up with. Purchase Swivelwheel 46. Two scooters at 200# each on Swivelwheel 46. No problems correct?

[bclemens]

Sort of.

The issue is dead weight. While you can tow 4220 (on the ground), anything you hang from the hitch (dead weight) is just like carrying fresh water or cargo, it goes against the GVWR of the vehicle (11,030 lbs total) and not the GCWR (15,250).

If you have 1000 lbs carrying capacity on the Sprinter and you have 500lbs of scooters and hitch, that only leaves you 500 lbs for people, cargo, water.

If you put all that weight on a trailer....only 10% typically transmits to the hitch. With a swivel wheel...I'm not sure what they figure in...but I'm guessing its more than 10%. More like 50%. If the hitch and scooters weigh 600lbs, then 300 may count against cargo. I would verify this with the swivel wheel mfg.

[AquaMan]

With a 350# hitch tw, you could possibly pull a 3500# trailer giving that a 10% tw. Well within the realm of what you are wanting to do


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[ilmor]

A better idea would be to get a dual motorcycle trailer to tow them.

[dogpa]

I tow a 6x12 enclosed and its weight is around 1000 empty no load scooter, bikes, ladders, chairs etc. in it and the tongue weight is less than 200 lbs.