Welding on Over Built Hitch

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I am going to be welding on a new reciever hitch and was not sure if i need to worry about any electrical equipment on the bus it is an 1993 Prevost xl Vantare conversion.   David 1993/94 XL Vantare 8V92 DeLeon Springs , Fl.

[MyPrevost]

You need to disconnect the chassis grounds and unplug the ECMs such as from the DDEC and transmission.

If your hitch is intended to carry 1000 pounds or greater 8″ from the bumper (or a lesser amount as the distance from the bumper increases) you need to be aware of the Prevost weight limitations which should be on a plaque attached ot the current hitch.

Failure to observe those limits is likely to result in cracking and structural failure around the engine cradle. Owners who have pulled trailers in excess of the tongue weight or towing weight limits, or have installed motorcycle racks have damaged their coaches in this manner.

Prevost makes a 20,000 option but I don’t know the tongue weight limits.

Jon and Di 2006 Liberty Elegant Lady, 2021
Jeep Grand Cherokee, 1950 Ford
Knoxville, TN

Owner of three Liberty Coaches since 1990

[MyPrevost]

Typically the receiver hitch is bolted to the coach, unless you mean you need a new socket and want to weld it.

I would not weld a hitch to a coach, just sayin.

JIM

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This one has 3 reese recievers and uses the two out side ones to carry a 800 pound motorcycle ,the lift also weighs in at almost 300 pounds ,  I know a Prevost that has traveled many miles with one  . but i dont want trouble,  overbiltlifts.com   look at the elect lift here.  I have seen several on the highway thats why i wanter one .Any one had any expiernce with one????

David
1993/94 XL Vantare 8V92
DeLeon Springs , Fl.

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repoer

Do they show one on a Prevost?  Most I have seen are on plastic coaches and they have a different frame structure to attach the hitch to not the engine cradle.

I saw one Prevost with one and the owner was a Bus Converter and he ran steel square tubes all the way back past the engine.

Greg & Huong Meiling
92 Beaver Conversion # 25
05 Excursions toad

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With an 800 pound bike and a 300 pound hitch that 1100 pounds is likely to be centered way beyond the distance from the bumper that would make it within the Prevost limits. I would never consider doing that. But don’t take my word for it. Contact Prevost Car and ask their engineers what they think.

You hit the nail on the head when you said you have seen another Prevost travel many miles and don’t see any problem. That is the problem. The damage that occurs is hidden. The most visible is cracking around the rivets that hold the rear cap, then a crack that goes full width near the bottom of the cap all because the weight is flexing the rear structure. The real problem is not the cosmetic one relative to the cap, but is the broken welds in the rear structure.

Anybody out there have a coach that has had damage as a result of towing or carrying weights in excess of the Prevost limits?

Jon and Di 2006 Liberty Elegant Lady, 2021
Jeep Grand Cherokee, 1950 Ford
Knoxville, TN

Owner of three Liberty Coaches since 1990

[MyPrevost]

I saw one being put on an XL 45 at Nashville and they were changing out the 10K hitch to the 20K and then mounting the Overbuilt lift. This was to gain the heavier tounge weight. I would think hanging a 1000 lbs on the rear would almost have to have some effect on the steer.

Tom & Nancy
7 Prevosts Owned

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This is starting to sound like a bad set up i went down to the local motor coach place Tradewinds in DeLand, Fl they have seen them before on a prevost and one prevost in thier facility had the three reciever hitch on it . Allthough they were unable to g ive me an solid answer . Has any one here had or know of an over built hitch being used on an xl . In thier website the claime it is good to go and also tow a 6000 lb car ..  They sold me the reciever and pads to fit my bus . If any has any resualts good or bad let me know i have not installed it yet .Ill try to call Prevost car Monday am   Thanks for makeing me aware of a possible disaster….

David
1993/94 XL Vantare 8V92
DeLeon Springs , Fl.

[MyPrevost]

If you want an answer from someone who has installed many and knows the bus structure well give Doug a call at Excalibur Coach in Sanford Fl. He will answer all your questions and do the work is you so decide.

Bill BunchColumbia, SC 2005 Parliament XL-II SS 07 Avalanche

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Doug at Excaliber was on vacation but Doug at Prevost said no problum he has seen many and has not heard of a misshap. The xl has a better or stronger engine cradel than the others and can possibly carry load better. Im getting it installed tomarrow and will let you know after i get back from New England oh buy the way were can i get a great casual lobster lunch  ?
David
1993/94 XL Vantare 8V92
DeLeon Springs , Fl.

[MyPrevost]

I think you are making a huge mistake, but it’s your bus. You can always put it back together when the engine cradle breaks…

Mark & Kristi
Jasper, TN
2022 Newmar King Aire
2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited

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I dont want to make a mistake i have contacted overbuilt they claime over 200 on Prevost xl no problums , on Excailber web site they show the them instaling them when i called to get done the service seculder advised me that Doug was on vacation but has installed many with no complants, Than The service  man at Prevost in Nashville told me when i called him he has seen  sevral  on xl with no ill effects and last i looked in the arcives here on the site and it say it is fine to use on an xl.Why do you think damage will accure  have you heard or had a bad expiernce , i have seen several on the road but i dont know if they were breaking something. I have been a pi for years and aways try to find the facts and not assume .  Has anyone seen damage on an XL done by a M/C rear mounted carrier if so please let me know ….    New info the reciever is a bolt on made for the XL so i will not be welding.

David
1993/94 XL Vantare 8V92
DeLeon Springs , Fl.

[MyPrevost]

I think it is a bad idea.  You may not.  What is the weight rating of the hitch on the bus you have?  What is the allowable tounge weight, and at what position?  How much does the hitch, bike and kitchen sink you want to put back there weigh, and where is the weight?

I really don’t care if you or anyone else has seen someone doing this.  There are lots of people out there who do things they shouldn’t do.  It doesn’t make it right or smart.  If what you want to do exceeds the specification ratings of the Prevost trailer hitch, you are asking for trouble.  It isn’t worth it just to lug more crap around.  But like I said, it is your bus and you can do as you like.  Just know that something bad can happen that could be VERY expensive, and possibly unsafe.  Are you willing to do it just to haul more crap around with you?  Only you can make that decision.

Mark & Kristi
Jasper, TN
2022 Newmar King Aire
2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited

[MyPrevost]

repoer,

I’m kinda known for making modifications that shouldn’t be. I could really use that style lift. Since the weight is shared between the original hitch on the cradle and 2 other frame mounts I’m about 60% – 70 %  OK with it, but not completely sold. The weight is still hung on the back of the chassis. The static weight doesn’t concern me, it’s the force generated when driving at highway speeds and encountering an unexpected dip or even traveling slow over speed bumps, combine that with the lever effect of the weight, maybe 2 feet out from the mounts. I would be hanging about 1000 lbs off the rear. I’d like for you post some pictures of the side mounts and how they are attached to the chassis. If the guys at Nashville Prevost say it’s OK that makes me feel a little better about it.

 

Ken

Ken & Stephanie
Mount Juliet TN

1988 XL Angola Conversion Repowered With 14 Liter Series 60 & Eaton Ultrashift

My repower slide show

 

[MyPrevost]

I doubt  that Prevost will approve such a setup.  It obviously will not be within the published specification.  In addition, hitches are there to tow, not to be a weight bearing platform.  Why can’t people figure this out?

If Prevost did not care what people did, they would not publish a spec for the hitch.

Mark & Kristi
Jasper, TN
2022 Newmar King Aire
2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited

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