2014 3050s hitch

[rbetzwieser]

I have a 2014 3050s. The dealer told me that it could tow up to 5000#. The tag on the hitch says 7500#. Does this mean that I have the upgraded hitch and can in fact tow 7500#? Not that I need it, I plan to tow a Hyundai Accent on a tow dolly.

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[davel1971]

NO. The hitch rating is specific to that model hitch. The vehicle rating is what you go by. Most all hitches in the same category will have the same rating, but the vehicle rating is what limits it.

[raoulwv]

The 3050 is on the E450 chassis which also has a tow rating of 7500 lb. So the answer is actually yes. Your rig is rated to tow 7500 lb.

[davel1971]

Not necessarily. Dealer said not so maybe it isn't equipped so

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[rbetzwieser]

Per owners manual GCWR is 22000. Per sticker on door GVWR is 14500. So I assume the chassis can tow 7500#. Looks like dealer was wrong?

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[davel1971]

no, that is not how you figure that. Lots if things come into play. Rear axle ratio, engine and trans cooling upgrades, etc. You could mount the same size hitch on your Hyundai, doesn't mean that becomes the towing capacity for it. You will need to do more research.

[lbrjet]

Davel, no, that is exactly how you figure it. The dealer was wrong.

[davel1971]

GCWR is total weight of vehicle with all loads, people, fuel, etc. including tongue weight of a trailer. Has nothing to do with towing capacity.

[davel1971]

I've been to 5 different websites, they all show a towing capacity of 5000lbs and a hitch tongue weight capacity of 500.bs

[RvBill3]

There are other threads on this forum where bclemens (factory rep) has explained that the new Ford E450 units have a 7500 hitch. Forest River is the only manufacturer that has certified with the chassis maker for 7500 hitches. If your hitch is marked as such, then that is the capacity it has. But don't believe me, just search the forum and you will find it directly from the factory rep.

Here's the quote:

Originally Posted by bclemens

We did nothing really different. Ford increased the GCWR back in 2010??? GCWR minus GVWR equals 7500lbs. We use a full frame extensions (same height and thickness steel that ford uses) all the way to the back. No departure angle (formed steel, smaller height in the back). This allowed us to use a 7500# hitch instead of a 5,000# hitch. Tested our 5,000 first, made some minor adjustments, retested, passed, sticker it for 7,500lbs.

We don't buy a different E450...we simply utilize the capacity they gave us. Of course it has to be tested, which we did and it passed.

[lbrjet]

Originally Posted by davel1971

GCWR is total weight of vehicle with all loads, people, fuel, etc. including tongue weight of a trailer. Has nothing to do with towing capacity.

The GCWR has everything to do with tow capacity. The 'C' stands for Combined, as in RV + towed vehicle. The post from the FR rep bclemens above sums it up nicely.

You described the GVWR. The 'V' stands for Vehicle.

[davel1971]

you are correct, I did my research. Either way, I have seen several ads online with this exact model and each one of them listed towing capacity at 5000lbs so I would go with that, not whats on the hitch. The vehicle want built around the hitch. Also, since they are towing a Hyundai, won't be over anyhow.

[bclemens]

I would go with what the factory says and shows. Most dealers post 5000lbs because they're so used to posting 5,000 lbs. I don't care what anybody goes by on other mfgs...but for Sunseeker, Forester, Lexington and Solera you can go by the hitch sticker.
Chevy: 5,000lbs
Ford E340: 5,000lbs
Ford E450: 7500lbs
Solera: 4200lbs

I'm not sure why you would go by a dealers ad...instead of the hitch sticker, the brochure rating and the rep's advice.

[rbetzwieser]

Thanks for the info. I'll probably never need 7500# but good to know it is there. In fact I probably won't hit 5000#.

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[asparky]

Thanks bc for that info again.. There is a lot of confusion still as in my case the dealer has not been educated as to the newer ratings. Told me flat out 5000#'s.. Even after showing the sticker to them. The 7500# was an important decision maker for me in choosing a Sunseeker!

Thanks again,
Ron

[bclemens]

PM me your dealer. I will have his rep educate him. It better not be one of my dealers or I will publicly shame them.