Receiver Hitch

[Tami]

I have a 2013 Thor Challenger, the receiver hitch broke, yes both sides where it bolts to the coach broke. Luckily we noticed it before we lost our trailer with 2 motorcycles inside. Has anyone had issues with these? We are certain our hitch weight was no more than 500lbs, which is what the limit is. Any idea what I can replace it with? Thor sent me to Lippert and they tell me they cannot supply this hitch and have no replacement.
Any suggestions would be great. I need to pull my car and or trailer.
Thank you

[Bob Denman]

Call Reese...
And welcome to the Forum also.

[ducksface]

Hitches are standard to the frame they bolt to.
If you have an f53 it'll be a standard f53 hitch, an e350 or 450 and it's a standard hitch.

Reese is mainstay.
Both rear and front hitches are available on etrailer.com and mine shipped for free.

I have never heard of a hitch breaking like that.
Are you sure it's the hitch and it's not the frame that tore out?
If the hitch was loose and bounced around it could easily tear out the frame which is generally thinner metal than the mounting ears on a hitch.

If you need it RIGHT NOW many uhaul places install hitches.

[John & Diane]

Tami,
X2 on Bob's suggestion. Our 2015 (2014 18k chassis) Windsport came equipped with a 5000# Reese hitch from the factory. While you are working in that area check the frame rails for cracks, I believe some people had issues with the extended frame rails developing cracks. I check our hitch and frame rails several times a year. When it stops raining I'll check to see if there is a part number on our Reese hitch.

[16ACE27]

There have been several reports of these hitches failing - most are associated with drop-down stingers and heavy trailers/toads stressing them.

You should be able to easily find a replacement hitch'

Curt hitches # C13702 and # C13701 are recommended by ETrailer.
AutoZone recommends the Curt Trailer Hitch 14082 rated at 10,000 lbs and 1,000 lb tongue weight.

[DavidEM]

I am not sure of the statement that an F53 or an E350 frame is the same for all MHs. I understand that the wheelbase is extended from the Ford standard chassis on most MHs that use these. Does Ford do the extension or does Thor?

David

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by DavidEM

I am not sure of the statement that an F53 or an E350 frame is the same for all MHs. I understand that the wheelbase is extended from the Ford standard chassis on most MHs that use these. Does Ford do the extension or does Thor?

David

Neither, I believe it is Morryde.

But a frame extension doesn't change the spacing of the frame rails which is what receivers are attached to. So except for differences in rear body shape or bumper configuration by the MH manufacturer, the receivers should be pretty much interchangeable for the same chassis.

[Beau388]

Originally Posted by 16ACE27

Neither, I believe it is Morryde.

But a frame extension doesn't change the spacing of the frame rails which is what receivers are attached to. So except for differences in rear body shape or bumper configuration by the MH manufacturer, the receivers should be pretty much interchangeable for the same chassis.

Yep, Thor MC does not possess the required Ford certifications to modify the frame in any way. <https://www.morryde.com/chassis/>

[Tami]

Thank you for responding. Yes it definitely is the hitch that broke, both sides just under where it it is bolted to the rv. We removed it and had a welder look at it and he too was very surprised. I have contacted Thor and they no longer install the 5000lb, now an 8000lb which I can order through Lippert. Had to go through numerous calls and emails to get the correct info! ��

[EA37TS]

Lippert quit making the 5K hitch in 2015 and went to a 8k hitch instead.

Big Ben had an issue with hitch or frame welds on his Challenger around 2015 or 2016. You can search for his post.

[Mover]

Hi Tami,

I have a 2017 Challenger with an 8000lb factory hitch. I have always towed a Chevy Malibu, with a BlueOx tow bar.

Last Spring, while coming through Dayton, OH in heavy traffic, our friends following us called and told us to pull over - the car was swerving badly.

My hitch was completely broken on one side and only had approx. 2" holding the other side!! Both sides broke where the side plates were bent to 90 degrees so they could bolt to the frame flanges. We had a local welder patch it up, so we could return home.

I took my MH to a well known welding shop and they rebuilt it and "beefed it up" so I could regain my confidence in it. They used 1/4" plate steel to make gussets going from side-to-side, then ran a 2" x 2" (1/4" wall) steel tube forward approx. 4' where it was welded to a new cross member that they installed.

I am confident that it is going last now...Hope this info helps.