Car hauler towing

[Jim18655]

I need to tow a car hauler trailer with my motorhome. 3300 lb. car plus 1450 lb. trailer is under the 6000 lb. tow rating of motorhome. There's a Valley Ind. 2" receiver hitch 5000/500 350 lb. vertical rating installed, can't use weight distribution per manufacturer label.


Question time.
What does the vertical limit mean?


How close do I have to get the tongue weight? I've read I need 10 to 12% tongue weight which would be OK at the lower end but the 12% would be about 70 lbs. over the tongue weight.


Would a sway control hitch help correct any sway due to tongue weight?


Just upgrade to a class v hitch with weight distribution bars?


Can weight distribution hitch be used on a motorhome?



Thanks for the help.

[rgvtexan]

Originally Posted by Jim18655

I need to tow a car hauler trailer with my motorhome. 3300 lb. car plus 1450 lb. trailer is under the 6000 lb. tow rating of motorhome. There's a Valley Ind. 2" receiver hitch 5000/500 350 lb. vertical rating installed, can't use weight distribution per manufacturer label.


Question time.
What does the vertical limit mean?

When the Hitch is mounted like this.

https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hit...t/C11746V.html

[robertkathy]

Class I

Class I hitches are weight carrying (WC) hitches rated up to 2000 lbs. gross trailer weight (GTW) with a maximum trailer tongue weight (TW) of 200 lbs.
A Class I hitch usually has a 1-1/4" square receiver opening.
A higher class drawbar does not increase the towing capacity of the hitch.
Class I hitches usually attach to the bumper, truck pan or vehicle frame.
Class II

Class II hitches are weight carrying (WC) hitches rated up to 3500 lbs. gross trailer weight (GTW) with a maximum trailer tongue weight (TW) of 300 lbs.
A Class II hitch usually has a 1-1/4" square receiver opening.
A higher class drawbar does not increase the towing capacity of the hitch.
Class II hitches usually attach to the bumper or vehicle frame.
Class III

Class III hitches are weight carrying (WC) and also are weight distributing (WD) depending on the vehicle and hitch specifications.
Not all Class III hitches are rated to be both. See the specific hitch for that information.
Class III hitches used as weight carrying are rated up to 6000 lbs. gross trailer weight (GTW) with a maximum trailer tongue weight (TW) of 600 lbs.
Class III hitches used for weight distributing are rated up to 10,000 lbs. gross trailer weight (GTW) with a maximum trailer tongue weight (TW) of 1000 lbs.
A Class III hitch usually has a 2" square receiver opening.
A higher class drawbar does not increase the towing capacity of the hitch. To use this class of hitch for weight distribution requires a weight distribution system.
Class III hitches attach to the vehicle frame only.
Class IV

Class IV hitches are weight carrying (WC) and weight distributing (WD) hitches depending on the vehicle and hitch specifications.
Not all Class IV hitches are rated to be both. See the specific hitch for that information.
Class IV hitches used as weight carrying are rated up to 10,000 lbs. gross trailer weight (GTW) with a maximum trailer tongue weight (TW) of 1000 lbs.
Class IV hitches used for weight distributing are rated up to 14,000 lbs. gross trailer weight (GTW) with a maximum trailer tongue weight (TW) of 1400 lbs.
A Class IV hitch usually has a 2" square receiver opening.
A higher class drawbar does not increase the towing capacity of the hitch. To use this class of hitch for weight distribution requires a weight distribution system.
Class IV hitches attach to the vehicle frame only.
Class V

Class V hitches are weight carrying (WC) and weight distributing (WD) hitches depending on the vehicle and hitch specifications.
Class V hitches used as weight carrying are rated up to 12,000 lbs. gross trailer weight (GTW) with a maximum trailer tongue weight (TW) of 1200 lbs.
Class V hitches used for weight distributing are rated up to 17,000 lbs. gross trailer weight (GTW) with a maximum trailer tongue weight (TW) of 1700 lbs.
Your ball mount and hitch ball need to both be rated for Class V to safely tow these weight loads. To use this class of hitch for weight distribution requires a weight distribution system.
A Class V hitch has a 2-1/2" square receiver opening.
Class V hitches attach to the vehicle frame only.

ALABAMA
Total length: 57 feet; trailer length: 28 feet 6 inches; motor home length: 45 feet; width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding mirrors and safety equipment, and appurtenances up to 6 inches attached to a motor home, travel trailer, self-propelled camper or house car, truck camper, or RV); height: 13 feet 6 inches.

ALASKA
Total length: 75 feet; trailer length: 53 feet; motor home length: 45 feet; width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding appurtenances, equipment up to 3 inches, turn signals, handholds, splash and spray suppressant devices, load-induced tire bulge, retracted RV awnings, AC power outlets and exhaust fans); height: 15 feet.

ARIZONA
Total length: 65 feet; trailer length: 28.5 feet; motor home length: 45 feet; trailer width: 8 feet (8 feet 6 inches on certain roads); motor home width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding appurtenances up to width of rear view mirrors); height: 13 feet 6 inches (14 feet on designated roads).

May pull 2 units if the middle unit has a 5th wheel and brakes and has a weight equal to or greater than the rear unit; the rear unit is 3,000 lbs. or more and is equipped with brakes.

If a damaged or disabled vehicle is being towed, the tow truck and towed vehicle are except from the maximum weight load allowances.

ARKANSAS
Total length: 53 feet 6 inches; trailer length: 28 feet; motor home length: 40 feet; width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding safety equipment); height: 13 feet 6 inches.

CALIFORNIA
Total length: 65 feet (up to 75 feet in certain circumstances); trailer length: 28 feet 6 inches; motor home length: 40 feet (38 feet for a single-axle fifth wheel travel trailer; 40 feet for 2- or more axle fifth wheel travel trailer); width: 102 inches (excluding safety equipment and RV appurtenances up to 6 inches); height: 13 feet 6 inches (14 feet on designated roads).

COLORADO
Total length: 75 feet (excluding safety equipment and extension devices used for loading beyond the front or rear ends, used in combination for transporting automobiles and boats); trailer length: 45 feet; motor home length: 45 feet; width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding RV appurtenances up to 6 inches); height: 14 feet 6 inches.

CONNECTICUT
Total length: 65 feet (excluding the transportation of boats under 4,000 lbs.); trailer and motor home length: 40 feet; width: 8 feet 6 inches (for trailers, excluding safety equipment up to 3 inches and the transportation of boats under 4,000 lbs.; for motor homes, excluding appurtenances up to 6 inches); height: 13 feet 6 inches (excluding appurtenances up to 6 inches).

DELAWARE
Total length: 60 feet (65 feet for an RV towing a vehicle); trailer length 40 feet; motor home length: 45 feet; width: 8 feet 6 inches for trailers, 8 feet for motor homes (excluding safety equipment); height: 13 feet 6 inches.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Total length: 55 feet (excluding safety equipment and energy conservation devices); trailer and motor home length: 40 feet; width: 8 feet (8 feet 6 inches on certain roads with certain combinations); height: 13 feet 6 inches.

FLORIDA
Total length: 65 feet; trailer length: 48 feet; motor home length: 40 feet; width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding safety equipment and appurtenances); height: 13 feet 6 inches.

GEORGIA
Total length: 100 feet; trailer length: 53 feet (56 feet for boat transporters); width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding mirrors); height: 13 feet 6 inches (14 feet on designated roads).

HAWAII
Total length: 65 feet; trailer and motor home length: 45 feet; width: 9 feet; height: 14 feet.

IDAHO
Total length: 75 feet (excluding carry devices necessary for safe and efficient operation); trailer length: 48 feet (excluding carry devices necessary for safe and efficient operation); motor home length: 45 feet; width: 8 feet 6 inches; height: 14 feet.

ILLINOIS
Total length: 60 feet; trailer length: 53 feet (excluding safety equipment and energy conservation devices); motor home length: 45 feet (excluding energy absorbing bumpers and mirrors); width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding safety devices on interstates and mirrors;, for motor homes, appurtenances up to 6 inches on roadways at least 11 feet in width); height: 13 feet 6 inches.

A special permit issued by the Department of Transportation is required from September 1 through December 31 for a vehicle that exceeds the maximum axle weight and gross weight limits or exceeds the vehicle’s registered gross weight.

INDIANA
Total length: 60 feet (excluding boat transporters); trailer length: 28 feet 6 inches; motor home length: 45 feet; width: 8 feet 6 inches (for motor homes, excluding appurtenances up to the width of rear view mirrors); height: 13 feet 6 inches.

IOWA
Total length: 65 feet; trailer length: 53 feet (45 feet for travel trailers); motor home length: 45 feet; width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding safety equipment up to 6 inches); height: 13 feet 6 inches (excluding safety equipment up to 6 inches).

A combination of three vehicles coupled together one of which is a motor vehicle, unladen or with load, other than a truck tractor, shall not have an overall length, inclusive of front and rear bumpers, in excess of 70 feet.

KANSAS
Total length: 65 feet; trailer length: not specified; motor home length: 45 feet; width: 8 feet 6 inches (excludes mirrors, equipment up to 3 inches, turn signals, handholds, splash and spray suppressant devices, load-induced tire bulge, and appurtenances up to the width of rear view mirrors); height: 14 feet.

KENTUCKY
Total length: 65 feet; trailer and motor home length: 45 feet; trailer width: 8 feet (excluding safety equipment); motor home width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding appurtenances and safety equipment up to 6 inches); height: 13 feet 6 inches. There is an exemption to weight requirements for vehicles transporting feed for livestock or poultry.

LOUISIANA
Total length: 65 feet; trailer length: 30 feet; motor home length: 45 feet; width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding safety equipment and for motor homes, safety equipment up to 6 inches); height: 13 feet 6 inches (14 feet on designated roads).

MAINE
Total length: 65 feet; trailer length: 48 feet; motor home length: 45 feet; width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding mirrors, turn signals, and appurtenances up to 6 inches); height: 13 feet 6 inches.

A tow-away transporter combination may be operated with an overall length not exceeding 82 feet on the interstate highway system and those qualifying federal aid primary system highways.

MARYLAND
Total length: 55 feet (65 feet for travel trailers and boat transporters); trailer length: 35 feet; motor home length: 40 feet (45 feet on interstates); width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding retractable awnings, and safety equipment and energy conservation devices up to 3 inches); height: 13 feet 6 inches. The maximum allowable length of certain stinger-steered automobile transporter is 80 feet.

There is a 5% tolerance from the gross vehicle weight limits for certain vehicles used in certain agricultural activities during harvest time under certain circumstances.

MASSACHUSETTS
Total length: 65 feet (excluding appurtenances); trailer length: 33 feet (excluding appurtenances); motor home length: 45 feet (excluding appurtenances); width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding mirrors, safety equipment, turn signals, handholds, splash and spray suppressant devices, load-induced tire bulge, and retracted RV awnings); height: 13 feet 6 inches.

MICHIGAN
Total length: 65 feet; trailer length: 28 feet 6 inches; motor home length: 45 feet; width: 8 feet 6 inches (excludes appurtenances for motor homes); height: 13 feet 6 inches.

MINNESOTA
Total length: 75 feet (70 feet if an RV combination); trailer and motor home length: 45 feet (excluding bumpers up to 6 inches and aerodynamic devices); width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding rear view mirrors and load securement devices up to 3 inches, and for motor homes, excluding appurtenance up to the width of rear view mirrors); height: 13 feet 6 inches.

MISSISSIPPI
Total length: not stated; trailer length: 53 feet; motor home length: 45 feet (excluding bumpers); width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding safety equipment, for motor homes, excluding appurtenances up to width of rear view mirrors); height: 13 feet 6 inches.

Vehicles operating under a harvest permit and certain vehicles loading and unloading at a state port are allowed an extra 10% weight tolerance.

MISSOURI
Total length: 65 feet; trailer and motor home length: 45 feet (excluding bumpers for motor homes); width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding safety equipment and clearance lights and required accessories, and for motor homes, excluding appurtenances up to width of rear view mirrors); height: 13 feet 6 inches (14 feet on designated roads).

MONTANA
Total length: 65 feet; trailer length: not specified; motor home length: 55 feet; width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding safety equipment and appurtenances up to the width of the rear view mirror); height: 14 feet.

Passenger vehicles less than 2,000 lbs. GVW may tow 1 trailer; this combination shall not exceed 65 feet. Three-unit combinations shall not exceed 65 feet. Three-unit combinations permitted if rear unit is equipped with breakaway brakes.

NEBRASKA
Total length: 65 feet (excluding bumpers); trailer and motor home length: 40 feet (excluding bumpers); width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding safety equipment and for motor homes, appurtenances up to 6 inches); height: 14 feet 6 inches.

NEVADA
Total length: 70 feet; trailer and motor home length: not specified; width: 8 feet 6 inches (for trailers excluding lights or devices up to 6 inches, door handles, hinges, cable cinchers and chain bundlers up to 3 inches; for motor homes, excluding mirrors, safety equipment, and lights and awnings or hardware up the width of rear view mirrors); height: 14 feet.

NEW HAMPSHIRE
Total length: 53 feet; trailer length: not stated; motor home length: 45 feet (excluding bumpers); width: 8 feet 6 inches (for motor homes, excluding appurtenances up to 6 inches); height: 13 feet 6 inches.

NEW JERSEY
Total length: 62 feet, 65 feet with a camping trailer, fifth wheel trailer, or park trailer; trailer length: 53 feet, 45 feet for motor homes, 28 feet as part of a combination; width: 8 feet 6 inches (only on certain roads, excluding safety equipment up to 6 inches); height: 13 feet 6 inches.

NEW MEXICO
Total length: 65 feet (excluding bumpers); trailer length: 40 feet; motor home length: 45 feet; width: 8 feet (excluding safety equipment up to 6 inches; for motor homes, excluding appurtenances up to 6 inches); height: 14 feet.

NEW YORK
Total length: 60 feet (excluding bumpers); trailer length: 48 feet; motor home length: 40 feet (excluding bumpers); width: 96 inches (excluding safety equipment up to 6 inches; for motor homes, excluding awnings over 7.5 feet from the ground and up to 6 inches on the right and 4 inches on the left); height: 13 feet 6 inches.

NORTH CAROLINA
Total length: 60 feet (excluding bumpers); trailer length: 40 feet (excluding bumpers); motor home length: 45 feet (excluding mirrors and bumpers); width: 8 feet 6 inches; height: 13 feet 6 inches.

A boat or boat trailer with a width between 102 and 120 inches is permitted to be towed as long as the boat or trailer is equipped with two operable amber lamps on the widest point to clearly mark outside dimensions. The towing of a boat or boat trailer 114 inches to 120 inches in width may take place only during daytime.

NORTH DAKOTA
Total length: 75 feet (excluding safety equipment, energy conservation devices, and approved length exclusion devices); trailer length: 53 feet (excluding safety equipment, energy conservation devices, and approved length exclusion devices); motor home length: 50 feet (excluding safety equipment, energy conservation devices, and approved length exclusion devices); width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding appurtenances up to 6 inches and safety equipment up to 3 inches); height: 14 feet.

OHIO
Total length: 65 feet (excluding mirrors, safety equipment, carrying devices, and loading equipment up to 24 inches beyond the rear); trailer length: not stated; motor home length: 45 feet (excluding mirrors, safety equipment, carrying devices, and loading equipment up to 24 inches beyond the rear); width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding mirrors, safety equipment, turn signals, handholds, splash and spray suppressant devices, load-induced tire bulge, marker lamps, fender extension, automotive covering devices, tarp and tarp hardware, and tie-down assemblies up to 3 inches); height: 13 feet 6 inches.

OKLAHOMA
Total length: 65 feet; trailer length: 40 feet; width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding safety equipment, retracted RV awnings up to 8 inches, and appurtenances up to 4 inches); height: 13 feet 6 inches.

Vehicles operating under special permits must have dual wheels for any vehicles moving loads between 22,000 lbs. and 23,000 lbs., and requiring a minimum weight capacity rating of 20,000 lbs. for the steering axle of any vehicle moving loads greater than 23,000 lbs.

OREGON
Total length: 65 feet; trailer length: 40 feet; motor home length: 45 feet; width: 8 feet 6 inches (for motor homes, excluding appurtenances up to 4 inches); height: 14 feet.

PENNSYLVANIA
Total length: 65 feet; trailer length: 53 feet; motor home length: 45 feet; width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding mirrors, and sunshades and tarps up to 6 inches); height: 13 feet 6 inches.

Gross weight or registered gross weight limited to 10,000 pounds unless the combination of vehicles consisting of a motor vehicle towing a recreational trailer or recreational cargo trailer, registered as such, does not exceed the sum of the manufacturer’s rated axle capacities or the gross combination weight rating, whichever is less.

RHODE ISLAND
Total length: not stated; trailer length: 40 feet; motor home length: 45 feet; width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding safety equipment, for motor homes, appurtenances, for trailers, non-cargo-carrying appurtenances); height: 13 feet 6 inches. Towaway trailer transporter combinations may be 82 feet.

SOUTH CAROLINA
Total length: 53 feet (excluding safety equipment, energy conservation devices, loading equipment, compressors, and fuel-saving equipment on the front); trailer length: 40 feet (excluding safety equipment, energy conservation devices, loading equipment, compressors, and fuel-saving equipment on the front); motor home length: 45 feet (excluding safety equipment, energy conservation devices, loading equipment, compressors, and fuel-saving equipment on the front); width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding safety equipment, for motor homes appurtenances up to 6 inches); height: 13 feet 6 inches.

SOUTH DAKOTA
Total length: not stated; trailer and motor home length: 45 feet (excluding bumpers); trailer width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding safety equipment, for motor homes appurtenances up to 6 inches); height: 14 feet.

TENNESSEE
Length: not stated; width: 8 feet (excluding safety equipment, appurtenances, and retracted RV awnings up to 6 inches); height: 13 feet 6 inches.

TEXAS
Total length: 65 feet; trailer length: 28 feet 6 inches; width: 8 feet; height: 14 feet.

UTAH
Total length: 65 feet; trailer length: 53 feet; motor home length: 65 feet; width: 8.5 feet; height: 14 feet.

VERMONT
Total length: 75 feet; trailer length: not stated; motor home length: 46 feet; width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding safety equipment and appurtenances up to 6 inches); height: 13 feet 6 inches.

VIRGINIA
Total length: 65 feet (excluding safety equipment, energy conservation devices, and steps and handholds for entry); trailer length: 28 feet 6 inches; motor home length: 45 feet (excluding bumpers); width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding mirrors, and for trailers appurtenances); height: 13 feet 6 inches.

WASHINGTON
Total length: 75 feet; trailer length: not stated; motor home length: 40 feet (excluding bumpers, safety equipment, energy conservation devices, compressors, and fuel saving equipment on the front); width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding mirrors and for motor homes, appurtenances up to 4 inches); height: 14 feet.

WEST VIRGINIA
Total length: 65 feet (excluding bumpers); trailer length: 40 feet (excluding bumpers); motor home length: 45 feet (excluding bumpers); trailer width: 8 feet (excluding safety equipment); motor home width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding safety equipment); height: 13 feet 6 inches.

Maximum weight for wood-bearing trucks equipped with six axles and two additional brakes: 94,000 pounds.

WISCONSIN
Total length: 70 feet; trailer length: 48 feet (for trailers, excluding bumpers, stake pockets, air deflectors, ad refrigeration units); motor home length: 45 feet; width: 8 feet 6 inches (for trailers, excluding appurtenances up to width of rear view mirrors); height: 13 feet 6 inches.

WYOMING
Total length: 85 feet; trailer and motor home length: 60 feet; width: 8 feet 6 inches (excludes appurtenances up to width of rear view mirrors); height: 14 feet.

PUERTO RICO
Height from ground must not exceed 13 feet, 6 inches; length, including load, must not exceed 40 feet; and width must not exceed 8 feet, 6 inches.

Overall length of 2 vehicles coupled together may not exceed 75 feet, including load.

Weight: Overall GVW may not exceed 110,000 lbs.

[Jim18655]

Thanks for all the information.
I'm OK with the Pennsylvania weight and total length. 35' motorhome and 20' trailer. I'm mostly concerned about being too close to the maximum tongue weight on the hitch and sway. I can change the hitch to a WD rated type and get more leeway on loading and balance.