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[RC] trailer curb weights - Dawn Simas
Hi had a 3h, bp Charmac. All steel, even the roof. I was told by the dealer that it was within the weight rating of my Dodge 250 truck, class 3 hitch (500 tongue/5000 trailer max), and was naive and trusting. The truck was strong enough to pull that thing all over the west coast. After a few years, I had an opportunity and weighed it at a truck scale. Found out the tongue weight was 900 with horses, curb weight was 9000# empty! Sold it right then. Bought my Brenderup. That was 6 years ago and I heard my hitch pop last month, took a look underneath it BROKE in two places. Cracked clean off against the frame and sheared a bolt next to that. I had the Draw Tite hitch replaced and the mechanic said that he'd never seen a hitch so tweaked. That 1/2" steel was warped and bent all over the place, was just a matter of time, even though the Brenderup is so light, for the stress to break it.
Moral of this story, even if you think it is okay, if you are/were overweight, it is extremely dangerous, for the remaining life of your hitch.
Dawn
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