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02-22-2022, 04:26 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Miramar 34.1
State: Arkansas
Posts: 113
THOR #6634
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Towing capacity 2015 vs 2016
Ok. Here’s one for you. I’ve been looking and planning to buy a 2016 Miramar. Today I checked the car fax and learned that what I thought was a 2016 is really a 2015. This makes a big difference to me because I plan to tow a 2020 jeep Gladiator with a curb weight of 4650.
When comparing specs, I find that the 2015 Miramar has a towing capacity of 5000 lbs as opposed to the 8000 lbs capacity of the 2016 I thought I was buying. Though both specs are above the curb weight of the jeep, I would feel better about a 3350 lb difference rather than 350 lb difference.
So I started comparing other specs and discovered that everything else weight and power wise were identical. Both have the Ford Triton V10, and both have 363 horsepower. Torque ft pounds (457) torque rpm (3250) displacement (6.8), GVWR (22000) are all identical between the two models. The only difference I’m seeing is the towing capacity. 5000 vs 8000 lbs.
I know I must be missing something but I’m not sure what. Does anyone have any ideas?
And , most importantly, am I safe pulling the 4650 pound jeep with the 5000 pound capacity RV. (My Gladiator is the lightest Sport model and the rig is almost completely stock. The only thing I’ve added is a lightweight bed cover and some aluminum running boards.)
Thanks
HC
2015 (or maybe 2016)
Miramar 34.1.
26,000 miles
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02-22-2022, 06:32 AM
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#2
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Site Team
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 14,117
THOR #7035
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The difference is a 5000 lb rated hitch vs an 8000 lb hitch. Upgrade the hitch if you like.
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Ted & Melinda
2016 ACE 27.1
2016 Chevy Sonic Toad - Selling
2020 Chevy Colorado Z71 Trail Runner Toad
2024 Chevrolet Trax 2RS - Soon 2B TOAD
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02-22-2022, 03:34 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Miramar 34.1
State: Arkansas
Posts: 113
THOR #6634
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 16ACE27
The difference is a 5000 lb rated hitch vs an 8000 lb hitch. Upgrade the hitch if you like.
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Thanks. I’ll be checking back with them today. The salesman tells me that the hitch says 8000 pounds. I’m thinking that someone before me might have already upgraded.
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02-22-2022, 04:02 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Travato
State: Florida
Posts: 2,475
THOR #1765
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The specs info on Thor’s pages is routinely incorrect. In addition they do not necessarily change systems exactly at the new “vehicle” year point. Thor msy have used up their 5000 lb hitches before the end of the 2015 “year” and then switched to the 2016 8000 lb hitch. You may be looking at a late “year” 2015. A similar thing happened in the Axis 2015 year where Thor ran out of 350 chassis and switched to the 450.
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02-22-2022, 04:52 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 31S
State: Texas
Posts: 4,157
THOR #6411
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Moondoggie
Ok. Here’s one for you. I’ve been looking and planning to buy a 2016 Miramar. Today I checked the car fax and learned that what I thought was a 2016 is really a 2015. This makes a big difference to me because I plan to tow a 2020 jeep Gladiator with a curb weight of 4650.
When comparing specs, I find that the 2015 Miramar has a towing capacity of 5000 lbs as opposed to the 8000 lbs capacity of the 2016 I thought I was buying. Though both specs are above the curb weight of the jeep, I would feel better about a 3350 lb difference rather than 350 lb difference.
So I started comparing other specs and discovered that everything else weight and power wise were identical. Both have the Ford Triton V10, and both have 363 horsepower. Torque ft pounds (457) torque rpm (3250) displacement (6.8), GVWR (22000) are all identical between the two models. The only difference I’m seeing is the towing capacity. 5000 vs 8000 lbs.
I know I must be missing something but I’m not sure what. Does anyone have any ideas?
And , most importantly, am I safe pulling the 4650 pound jeep with the 5000 pound capacity RV. (My Gladiator is the lightest Sport model and the rig is almost completely stock. The only thing I’ve added is a lightweight bed cover and some aluminum running boards.)
Thanks
HC
2015 (or maybe 2016)
Miramar 34.1.
26,000 miles
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In June 2015 Ford (actually Detroit Chassis who manufactures the F-53 stripped chassis) stated shipping the 2016 F-53 model year chassis to the RV manufacturers. The key whether you have a 2015 chassis or a 2016 chassis is the transmission, is a 6 speed (noted by a 4th gear position on the shift indicator as opposed to the 3 on the previous chassis).
Only the ACE models (Thor MC's best selling model of the F-53 chassis) actually got those early 2016 model year chassis as Thor MC used the older stock until they were gone. The length of time for the chassis pipe line for Plant 850 (where you coach was assembled) is typically 80 days from shipping in Detroit to arrival at plant 850. Even then the chassis may wait as Plant 850 uses serial production rather than batch production line.
As a side note: I had to wait until September 2015 to see a Hurricane with the new transmission and found the engine specifications and chassis specifications had also changed. I was finally able to purchase the coach I wanted January 2016, but the chassis was manufactured in September 2015 and the coach out-shopped in November 2015.
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Jim & Roy Davis
2016 Hurricane 31S
1961 Rampside in tow
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02-26-2022, 11:13 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Miramar 34.1
State: Arkansas
Posts: 113
THOR #6634
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Oneilkeys
The specs info on Thor’s pages is routinely incorrect. In addition they do not necessarily change systems exactly at the new “vehicle” year point. Thor msy have used up their 5000 lb hitches before the end of the 2015 “year” and then switched to the 2016 8000 lb hitch. You may be looking at a late “year” 2015. A similar thing happened in the Axis 2015 year where Thor ran out of 350 chassis and switched to the 450.
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This is all very interesting to me. I did end up buying the Miramar and the hitch is plainly labeled as 8000 pounds. Just spent our first day in the coach getting to know all the quirks and benefits of a larger RV. So far so good. Thanks for the replies!
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02-26-2022, 01:03 PM
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#7
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Site Team
Brand: Entegra
Model: Accolade 37TS
State: South Dakota
Posts: 8,726
THOR #1469
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The hitch rating is not the towing capacity.
The towing capacity is GCWR - GVWR.
In 2015 and 2016 many Thors built on the F53 could only tow 4000lbs even though they had an 8k hitch. Our Challenger was one of them.
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02-26-2022, 03:14 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Forest River Forester 235
State: Indiana
Posts: 4,883
THOR #6826
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And actually, for many folks, the towing capacity is actually even less than the CGVWR- GVWR. That’s because MANY RVs are operated somewhat overloaded to begin with.
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02-26-2022, 05:59 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Windsport 32N
State: Arizona
Posts: 126
THOR #23246
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There is a newer model Thor parked next to my '15. Mine has the 5K hitch. There was a mid-model year "upgrade" with no price change to an 8K. I have inspected the hitches and they are identical right down to the bolts, metal thickness, number and location of attachment points. It certainly appears that the only difference is the sticker on them.
I've flat towed my Colorado loaded with tools and junk in the bed thousands of miles. It is close if not over 5K. No problems whatsoever.
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02-26-2022, 06:59 PM
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#10
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Site Team
Brand: Entegra
Model: Accolade 37TS
State: South Dakota
Posts: 8,726
THOR #1469
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CactusJuice
There is a newer model Thor parked next to my '15. Mine has the 5K hitch. There was a mid-model year "upgrade" with no price change to an 8K. I have inspected the hitches and they are identical right down to the bolts, metal thickness, number and location of attachment points. It certainly appears that the only difference is the sticker on them.
I've flat towed my Colorado loaded with tools and junk in the bed thousands of miles. It is close if not over 5K. No problems whatsoever.
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The difference in the hitches are the manner in which the manufacturer welded them. They changed the process which supposedly strengthened the welds.
Forest River provided a good explanation when the hitch ratings changed back in late 2014 early 2015.
Our 2015 Challenger was an August 2014 build and it came with the 8K hitch but 4 k towing capacity.
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