Towing

[billygo3251]

OK I need some help from the real experts. I have the Berkshire 36 with a 340, on my hitch it says 5000 pounds for towing, it also says weight distribution I can tow 10000 pounds. Any advice will be greatly appreciated since the so-called experts can't agree.


Thanks


Bill

[Superchief]

It is my understanding that the 340's have a "5000" lbs hitch because of the transmission limitation. I am also told that the hitch can handle more than 5000 lbs. I was not told how much, but they said they didn't have stickers that said 7500 lbs (you could probably pick a number between 5000 and 10,000), so that is why they used the 5000 number. The 10,000 lbs weight sticker maybe an error. You might want to contact Freightliner Customer Service for advice.

[mjracsj]

I would imagine the receiver hitch can handle 10,000 with a weight distribution ball hitch but your Berkshire is not rated for more than the Gross Combined Weight Rating (same as mine-- MH + whatever you tow) of approx. 33,000 lbs due to the Berkshire 340's engine and transmission setup. With a realistic loaded weight that pretty much limits us Berk 340 owners to about 5,000 lbs for towing (if that)--
I am sure the same hitch on a different tow vehicle (like my Ford 350 Diesel) would be fine for the higher weights with a weight distributing hitch which really only helps with a tongue weight issue. It is more a limitation of the towing vehicle's (the MH in this case) capacity which is I am sure why they use only a 5,000 lb rated hitch for the 340.

[boowho]

I believe that 5K weight is for the entire toad weight and is limited by the capacity of the hitch itself.

HOWEVER, to keep from damaging your Allison 2500 transmission, you can not have more that 33K lbs TOTAL WEIGHT for the coach PLUS toad.

Boowho??

[Jersey Guy]

That's why I ordered the 360 HP with the 3000 series Allison, took all the guess work out.