Do I Need A Class IV Receiver Hitch For My 2014 Forest River Forester With Ford E450 Chassis

Published 09/03/2021

Question:

Just for clarification - the GCWR of my motorhome is 22000, and the GVWR is 14500, which leaves 7500. If the motorhome weighs less than 14500, let’s say 13500, would that then allow for 8500 towing capacity, or does it not work like that?

asked by: Flint A

Expert Reply:

No you do not, provided you never flat tow a vehicle that is heavier than your motorhome's maximum gross trailer weight. Your Ford E450 chassis has the same weight limit has your hitch receiver, so it does not make a difference if you get a hitch receiver with a greater weight limit. The chassis will still limit how much weight you can flat tow.

expert reply by: Mark Smith

Flint A.

9/3/2021

Mark S.

9/3/2021

A vehicle's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) is the maximum weight your vehicle can carry, without a trailer. It includes the weight of the vehicle, the passengers, the load inside the vehicle, fuel, etc. This does NOT have anything to do with how much weight you can tow. The gross combined weight rating (GCWR) is a combination of your GVWR and your vehicle's maximum gross tow weight. Your vehicle's maximum tow weight is just that, the maximum. It does not matter if you carry less weight in your vehicle. Your maximum tow weight will still remain the same. You can find these weights in the owner's manual of your vehicle.