Flat Tow Advice

[BHEMOTH]

I have a 2008 Monaco Diplomat SKQ. To date I have been flat towing a 2005 Acura MDX (curb weight 4500 lbs), a little sluggish up steep mountain grades and some stress on the exhaust brake on steep downgrades but otherwise OK. Time to replace the MDX and am considering kitting out my 2014 Ford F150 FX4. That said I'm a little worried about the F150's weight of approximately 5400 lbs as I would be adding an additional 900-1000 lbs.

The Dip has a gross weight of 33,000 lbs (Monaco stats claim gross weight includes fuel of 100 US gallons) and combined weight of 43,000 lbs. The SKQ is a single axle, Cummins ISL 400 (8.9L). Allison 3000 six speed.

I know I'm within the weight calculation for towing but I would like to hear from anyone with a similar configuration as to practicality, any evidence of stress on the engine, axle or transmission.

Happy to buy a newer, lighter tow vehicle but so many have mechanical limitations i.e. certain manual six speeds, CVT transmissions, lube pumps, dual clutch automatics, push button start, electric steering etc.

Thanks in advance,

Rick

[clyon51]

We have an 07 Dynasty 43' with a tag, same eng/trans. Our Equinox is very near 4000 lbs and I don't even feel it's there. I wouldn't hesitate to pull an F150. Besides, the ISL and Allison know how to protect themselves if need be. Just my two centavos.

[walt2137]

I don't thing it would be a problem especially with the 400 hp ISL, We tow a 13 CC F150 with our 350 HP ISC and the only thing I can see when we tow the F150 is a little more fuel usage. If you are going to rig it up I would suggest the M&G brake .

[jfran304]

Look at the Chevy Spark with the 5 speed manual. It weighs 2,246 lbs. You don't even know it is behind you when towing it.

We purchased a new 2013 for $13,000 out the door including tax, tag and title. It gets great gas mileage, the back seats (hatchback) lay down for extra room. To tow it all we have to do is put the transmission in neutral, turn the ignition to the first click (not accessory) release the brake and go.

It is fun to drive around town running errands or sight seeing and easy to park. I wouldn't want to take it on any long trips on the interstate but if I had to I wouldn't hesitate to.

[vsheetz]

Our jeep is 5000+ lbs. Not a strain. Got toad brake?

[milepost50]

We tow a Toyota Landcruiser at 5,151 lbs with our Diplomat and a 275 hp 5.9. We seem to do well. No problems, we just set back and enjoy the view.

[digNbubbs]

I have a 2006 40' Knight with the ISC 330. I tow a very heavy 2011 4-door Wrangler (5600 lbs), and I feel it. I think the biggest thing I felt was larger tires and heavier wheels (37" tires and 17" beadlock wheels).

If you don't regularly weigh your coach, I would recommend that. At least you will know your margins. I am sure if you stay around the 5-6k pound mark, your ISL will not complain.

[TonyDi]

I rarely notice my Grand Cherokee when travelling. Maybe I would get up some of the steeper grades without it, but 6 and 7 pct grades, I can keep the speed above 45. Toad brakes make downgrades easy too.

[deSanford]

VERY HAPPY with our Mini Cooper 6 speed supercharged two door 2002.

[Robin_M]

Originally Posted by digNbubbs

...If you don't regularly weigh your coach, I would recommend that. At least you will know your margins. I am sure if you stay around the 5-6k pound mark, your ISL will not complain.

I agree with that. My 2007 Dip, with an ISL, had no problems towing our 2013 GMC Acadia, which weights about 5K lbs. Only thing I noticed was slightly less fuel economy when towing, which is normal.

As for a braking system on a vehicle of that weight, I would recommend a system that uses the coaches air brakes as a source, like the M&G Engineering system, or the SMI AirForce One.

[oldguy70]

I tow a Suzuki Sidekick Sport 4 door and it is just under 3000 lbs. which is legal to tow in BC but I will put a breaking system on this spring, probably Air Force one. I don't feel the Sidekick behind my 98 Dynasty

[R2Home]

Our toad is a 1999 Dodge Durango and the MH does just fine. It might be a little slower on steep grades and the fuel mpg's a little lower but the engine/transmission do just fine.

[russ2528]

We have a 2008 Knight SKQ and have been towing a 2014 Enclave with no real issues. Of course going uphill is a bit slower. We just bought a new 2017 Yukon that we are going to have a tow package put on. Its about 900 lbs heavier, now about 5600 lbs.

I know, it would be better with a smaller car but we travel a lot with our 6 grand-kids and need a vehicle that can seat 8. They outgrew the Enclave, damn kids keep growing for some reason.

We will also be using a Invisibrake unit that we had on the Enclave that uses the tow vehicles brakes to assist the RV.

Anything else recommended?

Thanks
Russ

[clyon51]

Originally Posted by russ2528

We have a 2008 Knight SKQ and have been towing a 2014 Enclave with no real issues. Of course going uphill is a bit slower. We just bought a new 2017 Yukon that we are going to have a tow package put on. Its about 900 lbs heavier, now about 5600 lbs.

I know, it would be better with a smaller car but we travel a lot with our 6 grand-kids and need a vehicle that can seat 8. They outgrew the Enclave, damn kids keep growing for some reason.

We will also be using a Invisibrake unit that we had on the Enclave that uses the tow vehicles brakes to assist the RV.

Anything else recommended?

Thanks
Russ

My only recommendation would be birth control for the kids :-) sounds like you have everything else covered.