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Old 06-16-2018, 03:27 AM   #1
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Pennsylvania
Posts: 23
THOR #7047
Hitch swap

Has anyone upgraded their hitch on a Thor Axis? If so I am looking for a recommendation.

I was surprised to find that on my 2017 Thor Axis 24.1, despite being equipped with a class IV hitch with a 8000# tow capacity it is only rated for 500# tongue weight.

I just purchased a hitch mounted atv carrier rated at 700# and this isn't strong enough.

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Old 06-16-2018, 10:41 AM   #2
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 37LS outlaw
State: New Jersey
Posts: 516
THOR #5248
Its not the receiver hitch, it's what it is bolted to. The rating is limited because the way the frame is built.
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Old 06-16-2018, 12:35 PM   #3
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Georgia
Posts: 2,585
THOR #4735
yep, it shouldn't be any surprise since the ratings are printed on the label right on the hitch itself....and you can't just 'bolt' on another that you would rather use. As stated, it's the rating of the CHASSIS that determines the weights that you can tow, not the hitch.

admittedly, downforce weight is not part of the chassis's ratings calculations, but it is for the hitch - the manufacturer certainly put 500# for a reason.

maybe you can find a 8,000lb rated hitch with a 800# tongue rating to 'switch'... but even the 8,000lb rating on a new hitch doesn't mean that your Chassis can handle up to that weight... you have to weigh your coach, fully loaded, and subtract that from the GVWCR for the 'towable' weight. I suspect you won't even be able to two 5,000lbs. Most coaches come with a hitch that's rated for much higher weights than the coach Chassis can actually handle.

sorry... : /
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Old 06-16-2018, 02:10 PM   #4
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Brand: Still Looking
State: Texas
Posts: 6,187
THOR #2121
The weight limit is determined by the weakest link in the entire system, so please don’t go just by the rear axle load. Since you have a relatively light 24.1 floorplan, especially if built on an E-450, for example, you may overload the frame rails themselves and or the frame extensions before the axle is overloaded.

Additionally, hanging an 800-pound ATV well behind the rear bumper is much worse than simple down force from a trailer ball that was located within a foot or so of the bumper.

Thor and or Ford engineers may have also placed that limit for reasons that are not obvious.
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Old 06-16-2018, 02:48 PM   #5
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Freedom Elite 29fe
State: Florida
Posts: 700
THOR #4656
Return atv carrier if possible and get a utility trailer. Those carriers are more for pick ups where the springs and axel are closer to the rear. The momentum you would generate with that carrier loaded on your MH would have you wandering all over the road.
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