Pulling a trailer with a MCI

Tikvah · October 22, 2015, 10:38:43 AM

Any more thoughts on a weight distribution hitch?

Fredward · October 22, 2015, 11:37:24 AM

Brian,
I just looked at that hitch that you have. It looks real nice as far as being easy to attach to the cradle. But I am really surprised to see that it does not reach up towards the front and attach up ahead of the engine also.

On your '5 can you inspect the area up by the alternator where the cradle attaches to the vertical 4" square tube? That's where mine cracks.
Fred

bevans6 · October 22, 2015, 01:15:44 PM

Not sure I know where you mean. You mean by the stock 50DN alternator, which is hung off the engine cradle at the rear of the engine (towards the front of the bus)? What I am now thinking of is my 1980 MC-5C probably used the whole rear framework from the MC-9, and it's mostly stainless steel. There are only a couple of little mild steel tubes in back there. I can imagine a whole lot of small improvements in the frame from when your MC-5A was made. I wonder what the weight difference between an 6V-71/Spicer or a 8V-71 Spicer and a 8V-92/Allison 740 would be. I would think a fair bit, and the MC-9 was engineered for that heavier engine package. Maybe that makes a difference, I don't know.

Brian

Tom Y · October 23, 2015, 04:06:37 PM

Fredward, Mine was cracked at the bulkhead also. I assume that is what you mean. Hears a pic of mine with the engine cradle off.

86102A3 · November 01, 2015, 03:45:35 AM

Dave my 102A3 has a crack on the support for the engine cradle. I would give your engine structure a good once over before adding the trailer. I have been wrestling with whether I want to tow a trailer or just flat tow a vehicle behind, I have been leaning toward flat towing a vehicle. I spoke with a couple a while back, and they told me they went and purchased a car trailer to tow behind their coach and they decided to give it. The reason was that it limited the places they could go, they would have to leave the trailer outside of most parks and find a place to leave it. Just a few thoughts you may want to consider. I thought it would be nice to have one to keep a vehicle, golf car and possible a laundry as well, I am just concerned that will be too much weight.

Fredward · November 05, 2015, 01:03:06 PM

Tom,
Yes that looks similar (but different). Probably the same difference though. It might have gone a long time, but it is concerning that the second time I had the engine out the entire repair we did first time had a crack in it as well. So I'm not going to put anything more than the light weight aluminum trailer with minimal hitch weight behind our bus. Too bad because I have a nice 18' flatbed and an enclosed 16' too. But afraid to hook them up.
Fred

jackhanow · November 05, 2015, 02:16:48 PM

Just a thought. it could be that with a tag axle, the rear of the MCIs are stronger, just for the tag and that may make a difference. I have an mc5 and an A2. I have a dolly with inertia brakes and a tow a little tacoma and sometimes my dodge b3500 church bus. Ive seen guys pull some heavy trailers, 15k plus and claim no problem, but my guess is they never look.

RJ · November 05, 2015, 02:29:39 PM

Quote from: Tikvah on October 22, 2015, 10:38:43 AM
Any more thoughts on a weight distribution hitch?

Yes:

http://trailertoad.com/id79.html

Much cheaper than repairing a broken cradle.

FWIW & HTH. . .

Tikvah · November 05, 2015, 11:53:10 PM

QuoteAny more thoughts on a weight distribution hitch?

Yes:

http://trailertoad.com/id79.html

Much cheaper than repairing a broken cradle.

FWIW & HTH. . .

That rather eliminates the ability to back up.

I think some of my question has been answered. First, I already flat tow. But I need a trailer for business, that will also include my toad. But the trailer won't have much more weight than the aluminum trailer and my toad anyway.
I see the frame cracks, and I'm sure I have some too. But, I doubt the risk is very high. Stainless tends to crack often but it appears to maintain some strength.
The topic seems to be a lot like my mini-split topic. Lots of folks said it couldn't be done or shouldn't be done. But a few of us are doing it and loving it.
I appreciate the feedback. and I'll be getting my frame closely inspected and maybe reinforced.
But, I don't think my main question was answered..... would a wight distribution hitch be of any value?

Dave

bevans6 · November 06, 2015, 12:13:18 AM

From my first reply...

"I have an MC-5C. I have a 20 foot box trailer (25 feet ball to bumper) trailer that loaded is between 6000 and 8000 lbs. I also have a car that, on it's dolly, is around 3500 lbs. I have a hitch that I got here: http://www.busrvparts.com/Towing%20Hitches.htm I rarely, OK never, take the bus on a trip without one or the other towed behind me. I use a dead weight hitch for the dolly and a equalizing hitch for the trailer. The point of the equalizing hitch with the bus is not to restore ride height or to transfer weight, it's to remove the twisting torque on the hitch and mounting points that you get from the tongue weight. I use a Prodigy brake controller for the electric brakes."

Yes, a WD hitch has value in this application. I would not tow my trailer without one.

Brian