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Sunset 1 · 02-05-2006, 08:42 AM

I have a 1999 Winnebago Chieftain 35u with a 6.8 L v 10 Ford engine. Can I tow a Chev Avalanche? weight about 6000 lbs. or is this unrealistic?

Thanks

Sunset 1

Sunset 1 · 02-05-2006, 08:42 AM

I have a 1999 Winnebago Chieftain 35u with a 6.8 L v 10 Ford engine. Can I tow a Chev Avalanche? weight about 6000 lbs. or is this unrealistic?

Thanks

Sunset 1

rebelsbeach · 02-05-2006, 09:53 AM

The Winnebago website lists as far back as the 2000 Chieftain,with a GVWR of 20,500.

dawg · 02-05-2006, 03:32 PM

You could tow the Avalanche, but I believe you would not like the performance of your motorhome with that much weight behind you.
I pull a Liberty at about 4,000 lbs and it is heavy when in the mountains.
You would need to change the hitch which is rated at 5,000 lbs to something that could handle that much weight. For sure you would need some type of braking system.
I feel that vehicle is just to heavy for your unit.
But this is just my opinion.

alvinc · 02-06-2006, 08:25 AM

I'ts all relative. With respect to capability, just about anything can tow anything, but with tradeoffs on longevity and speed. You have seen trucks in TV ads pulling impossibly huge things. Sure they can do it, but how quickly, and can they stop it once its rolling down hill?

On the practical side as others have said, the Avalanche is probably outside the weight rating of your tow vehicle. That is the tow bar is not rated for that heavy a vehicle. You could have the frame and tow bar beefed up, but this is not a standard operation and it would depend on how much you trust the person that does the upgrade.

With respect to tow brakes; since there are precious few automobiles that weigh under 1000-2000 lbs (limits for brakes in most states) any modern auto used as a toad will need auxilary brakes.

I have to side with dawg, I wouldn't do it.

Gary RVRoamer · 02-07-2006, 04:24 AM

There is a good chance you will exceed your Chieftain's GCWR if you try to tow a 6000 lb vehicle. I suspect your GCWR is around 20,000 lbs, so if the rig (loaded for travel with all passengers onboard) weighs more than 14,000 lbs (likely), the Avalanche will be too much. You should also check the rating on the hitch receiver - it may be 4000 or 5000 lbs.

Winnebago can tell you the GCWR and also the hitch rating.