Community Forums

wkclark · 08-30-2015, 07:14 PM

Running an 04 Fleetwood Pace Arrow (36B) and want to make sure I don't overload it towing my car. Trailer & car combined weigh in the 5000lb range. Have had the combo out for a run and could hardly notice it there.
Heading for some hilly terrain in the next week and would hate to get myself if a bunch of trouble coming down a hill.
Thanks.

Rockwood27 · 08-30-2015, 07:59 PM

Do you have a WH 20K or WH 22K chassis? If the 22K then it has a 26K GCWR. This gives you a 4K tow limit if you're at max GVW. A trailer will add a lot of tongue weight to the rear axle of the MH. Have you weighed your MH to find out where you are on ready to travel weight?

JimAerbus,W22,2003 · 09-01-2015, 03:21 PM

Don't you have trailer Brakes?

wkclark · 09-02-2015, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimAerbus,W22,2003

Don't you have trailer Brakes?

Yes. Brakes on both axles of my trailer.

JimAerbus,W22,2003 · 09-02-2015, 10:27 AM

I don't know where the 4k load limit comes from, but my W22 has a 5k load limit checked at hitch shop while getting ready to tow heavy car from LA to home. NOT by the book, but an easy way to check trailer/tow dolly/supplemental brake systems was shown to me at the same shop. Adjust the brakes until they lock up at 25mph, and then back off some until they don't.. Here is how this works: Find a level street parking lot or wherever that you can drive the RV past somebody (friend/wife/whoever) at 25mph. Just as you pass them stab the brakes REAL hard (just for a couple of seconds/time for the brakes to activate). If they don't lock up adjust until they do and then back off. If they do lock up, then adjust until they don't. I have used this method for several years now and have helped other people doing this and it works. Maybe not by somebody's book, but it does work, and as I said I have done this every time I change a tow car and it works!! And its easy, especially with in the car units. Trailers a bit more work, but worth it. Jim C.

lanerd · 09-02-2015, 12:46 PM

First, I'm sure you have a coach/hitch tow rating of 5000lbs. If your trailer/car have combined weight of "around" 5000 lbs....you are pushing or exceeding the coach/hitch ratings.

However, there is also the weight of your coach and it's GCWR that you must take into consideration also. However, this requires that you get "actual" weight of your coach. Then you will need to measure the "actual" tongue weight of the trailer with the car on board. Then get the weight of the loaded trailer (not including the tongue). Add the weight of both the rv and trailer tongue weight and then subtract it from the coach's GCWR. If the actual weight of the loaded trailer without the tongue weight is less than the actual weight of the rv and the tongue weight of the loaded trailer.....you're good to go. If more, you're in trouble.

Good luck

Ron