Pulling 5,000 lbs. over the Sierra's with a Class "A"

[Scarab0088]

Originally Posted by winniman

Be aware that most gas units are only rated for 5000 lbs towing. You would be maxed out...

The generalization of a 5000lb tow limit for gas Class A's is often erroneous...the numbers need to be checked.

Like, our W24 has 24,000lb GVWR and 30,000GCWR = 6000lb tow capacity even at full GVWR.
When we travel light, we weigh-in at about 21,000lb, leaving 9,000lb usable capacity left over.

Terms described here:
http://www.rvsafety.com/rv-education/glossary Safe travels

Best luck

[Scarab0088]

Originally Posted by chaney2000

Do you know what the HP is for these engines ?

Both the 8.1L V8 and 6.8L 3 valve V10 Class A engines in those years were rated new with mid-300's for HP send mid-400's for lb-ft of torque.

The difference is the RPM and therefore the MPG and noise involved to get there.

Best luck

[Thewellz]

IMO..any class a gas set up with an appropriate gcvwr and hitch will Accomplish what you are asking for...maybe not at the speed you require but close. it's All a matter of preference when it comes to layout and and budget with respect to chassis size. Just about every gas rv on the rd is a v10 340 hp engine, or the Chevy vortec which has slightly more hp. So Not much to choose from power train wise they are all basically the same in the chassis length you are looking at with the exception of some older Models with the ford 460 but they are pre 1998 vintage. Imo....most Any deisel on the market in those years over 300 hp will pull 5000 pounds up a mountain at that speed.

[chaney2000]

Great info, thanks !

[chaney2000]

So are you saying you think the 5.9 @ 300 hp would be enough ?

[chaney2000]

Thanks to you all this has been very helpful.

[Cacique]

Originally Posted by Scarab0088

The generalization of a 5000lb tow limit for gas Class A's is often erroneous...the numbers need to be checked.

Like, our W24 has 24,000lb GVWR and 30,000GCWR = 6000lb tow capacity even at full GVWR.
When we travel light, we weigh-in at about 21,000lb, leaving 9,000lb usable capacity left over.

Terms described here:
http://www.rvsafety.com/rv-education/glossary Safe travels

Best luck

So does my W24 !!!

[Polyian]

There are thousands of Ford V10 Motorhomes on the road pulling vehicles between 4000 and 5000 lbs, myself included. I slow down between 45-55 mph on the big hills often passing the trucks. The 5 Star Tune helped quite a bit by adding torque, HP and better transmission shifting. I have towed through BC, Washington State, Oregon and California mountains without any concern. My toad weighs 4500 lbs and often has another 100-150 lbs of bikes and golf clubs inside. In the mountains I try to minimize weight by carrying only 1/3 tank of fresh water and empty the waste tanks but even that makes little difference in pulling, I do it more for fuel economy... I'm not sure that makes much difference either.

[Cacique]

2009 Pace Arrow 38P with 8.1 Vortec and a Allison 2350 with grade brakes with a Ultrapower GM Custom Tuning. Pulling a Xterra does it.

[winniman]

Originally Posted by Scarab0088

The generalization of a 5000lb tow limit for gas Class A's is often erroneous...the numbers need to be checked.

Like, our W24 has 24,000lb GVWR and 30,000GCWR = 6000lb tow capacity even at full GVWR.
When we travel light, we weigh-in at about 21,000lb, leaving 9,000lb usable capacity left over.

Terms described here:
Glossary Safe travels

Best luck

You cant calculate towing capacity by how much is left over on your gcwr. It is governed by the hitch size on it. As stated, most longer gas chassis have a frame extension, which limits the weight it will pull. Usually around 5000 lbs. As shown in the other posters pic, the w24 is rated for 6000 lbs towing max. regardless of coaches weight. You dont want to go over your combined weight when towing, but you cant just subtract the weight of the coach and what ever is left is what you can tow. Thats a recipe for disaster. The frame can be damaged by overloading the hitch. I have seen coaches with bent rear frames from this.

[Scarab0088]

Originally Posted by winniman

You cant calculate towing capacity by how much is left over on your gcwr. It is governed by the hitch size on it.... I have seen coaches with bent rear frames from this.

Respectfully disagree. Like stated...for many gas RV's, even being at GVWR max allows an owner to simply check if they already have - or upgrade the receiver to a ClassIII-plus or Class IV to access the full tow capacity...like the W24's minimum 6000lb capacity.

GCWR by definition is the total mass that can safely be moved down the road with the RV's drive-line. This is a total sum of the UVW + on-board cargo/load + towed load.

To access tow capacity above that, the owner should check the frame...would only be smart...in our case, the rear rails are designed to support the contents of the toy hauler garage (2500lb for that alone). So, we upgraded to a Class IV receiver (10,000lb or 14,000lb with W/D hitch). They are inexpensive and plentiful in the aftermarket.
https://www.reese-hitches.com/learni...towing-classes.

RV makers have historically been conservative with receivers from the factory for obvious liability reasons. But there has been a gradual creep to upgrade the receiver with options like the 8000lb Class III-plus.

For a RV owner that does their homework, the capability of an RV can easily exceed what the factory offers.

[Cacique]

Agree with this when he says that they are very conservative, specialy for insurance purpose

[Highway 4x4]

I was told that the new 6 speed trans on the Fords made a big difference in towing ability on the grades. He waited to get a 16 with it.

[Mr_D]

Our '02 DSDP on Spartan had a 6,000# rated hitch, but Spartan confirmed that I could safely tow 10,000#'s by simply changing the hitch. Present rig is rated for 15,000#'s towing as it left the factory.