Tow Capacity

kketterling · 05-15-2011, 04:17 PM

My 40' Contessa's tow capacity is rated at 10,000 lbs with a Cat 425hp engine. A 42' Contessa's tow capacity is also 10,000 lbs with a Cat 425 engine but it's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating is about 7,000 lbs more than my 40'. So my question is what is the determining factor for tow capacity for these two vehicles: the hitch or is it the strength of the frame the hitch is attached to? Engine size shouldn't be an issue as both coaches have the same engine.

Reason I'm asking this is I would love to tow a stacker trailer that would hold my Jeep, 2 Quads and aluminum Quad trailer but when I add up the weight I'm afraid I'd be over 10,000 lbs. So the question is if its the hitch could I up the tow capacity by changing the hitch?

Diplomat Don · 05-15-2011, 09:08 PM

Ken.....Are you talking the same year Contessa's? Do both have the same trans.....3000 or 4000 Allison?

If everything is the same, I'm guessing the limitation might be the rating on the hitch. You might be able to swap it out for a 15000 pound hitch.

Pairajays · 05-15-2011, 10:30 PM

The towing capacity is GCWR minus GVWR providing the hitch has that capacity. If you don't load your coach to the GCWR then then towing capacity is GCWR minus GVW.

I don't know this for sure but I think towing capacity is dictated by the braking ability of your MH.

Jim E

AFChap · 05-15-2011, 10:46 PM

Quote:

I'm guessing the limitation might be the rating on the hitch. You might be able to swap it out for a 15000 pound hitch.

This is quite likely the case ...another factor in the weight rating is the frame and whether or not there are extensions on the basic frame. I would not expect that to be an issue on a Contessa. An experienced heavy hitch installer might be a good consultant to take a look under the coach and see what he thinks.

Of course, you would have trailer brakes on any but the most basic trailer behind any motorhome ...that size stacker definitely would !!!

moisheh · 05-16-2011, 05:42 AM

If your Beaver uses the Roadmaster RR10 chassis I dont see how you could change the hitch. It is an integral part of the frame. Unlike other manufacturers who just buy one of those bolt on universal hitches Monaco built a real "Mother". Have you crawled under the rear to look at the hitch?

pipedream2 · 05-16-2011, 09:04 AM

Moisheh is correct the chassis would have to be re-engineered to change the GCWR as set out on the DOT sticker......it was built and approved at 10,000lbs and your insurance company may have a say if altered.......be careful with that one JMHO of coarse

kketterling · 05-16-2011, 10:27 AM

Don: Same year coach, size motor and transmission. Mine has RR8 and 42' has RR10 chassis.

kketterling · 05-16-2011, 10:38 AM

When I look at the new Dynasty specs they have the option for a 15,000 lb hitch. The 42' Contessa has the same engine and transmission as mine but has a total weight rating of 7,000 lbs more than mine. It then would seem to be the hitch.

I haven't looked under the coach yet but moisheh may be right in that to change the hitch might be a bear.

kketterling · 05-16-2011, 12:30 PM

Looked at the hitch and it is welded to the frame. So the old would have to be cut off and a new 15,000 lb would have to be installed. Would definitely want a skilled welder to do this if I decided to go this route.

Diplomat Don · 05-16-2011, 08:55 PM

Ken....The other issue with some of the Monacos uis the hitch is an integral part of the engine mount.

kketterling · 05-17-2011, 05:26 PM

Don: Checked and don't think that would be an issued based on the engine mounts in the coach but worth thinking about.

caymann · 05-19-2011, 07:45 AM

I don't know if this idea will work....here you go

Say your GCWR is 55k lbs
Say your actual coach weighs 40k lbs (GVWR is 45k lbs)
Could you subtract 55k-40k = 15k lbs and now legally (and safely) tow a trailer
at 15k lbs (assuming your hitch is rated for it)

Will insurance company accept this?

kketterling · 05-19-2011, 09:39 AM

caymann: My logic is that if a 42 ft Contessa has a GCWR which is 7,000 lbs more than my 40 ft coach but has the same transmission and engine then the coach should be capable of pulling 15,000 lb trailer. And in my case it's the hitch that's the determining factor all other things being equal.

cb5300 · 05-24-2011, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kketterling

caymann: My logic is that if a 42 ft Contessa has a GCWR which is 7,000 lbs more than my 40 ft coach but has the same transmission and engine then the coach should be capable of pulling 15,000 lb trailer. And in my case it's the hitch that's the determining factor all other things being equal.

Just call Monaco and give them your coach number and ask...They should be able to give you an answer.