Towing ABC's...

nubber · 11-05-2011, 05:41 PM

I hope I have this question in the correct forum as this just my second post? We are just starting to look at motorhomes for our drag racing hobby, and no not racing the actual motorhome just towing the trailer there.

Wondering what to look for on the motorhome itself. Is there a rating specification for the allowable total trailer weight on the manufacturers label or anywhere else? My race trailer tongue weight would be about 500lbs. I believe this would be added to the cargo carrying capacity correct? Such as passengers fuel food and other general items in the coach.

What about trailer limits? It would be a maximum of 7000 lbs. Knowing this I can shop for a m/h with the correct chassis and brakes for the job. Thanks for helping me out!

DC Cruiser · 11-05-2011, 06:06 PM

I would look for a MH with a trailer hitch rated for 1,000lb tonque weight and a max 10,000lb trailer. I haul my 07 Toyota FJ Cruiser in an enclosed 20ft trailer with a loaded weight of around 7500-8000 lbs with the above rated hitch. I would also look for a MH with at least 350HP if you are towing in any type of hilly or mountain terrain. Good Luck with your search.

CHEERS

Cat320 · 11-05-2011, 06:10 PM

As has been stated many times before, the actual tow capacity is the GCWR minus the weight of the tow vehicle when ready to tow (loaded) or the hitch capacity, whichever is smaller.

CD · 11-05-2011, 06:45 PM

[QUOTE=DC Cruiser;1002079]I would look for a MH with a trailer hitch rated for 1,000lb tonque weight and a max 10,000lb trailer. I haul my 07 Toyota FJ Cruiser in an enclosed 20ft trailer with a loaded weight of around 7500-8000 lbs with the above rated hitch. I would also look for a MH with at least 350HP if you are towing in any type of hilly or mountain terrain. Good Luck with your search.

Where nubber lives it is pretty hilly any direction he goes but beautifull country..

George Schweikle · 11-06-2011, 06:59 AM

Depending on your budget, look the various "Toterhomes". These are motorhome bodies on an over the road truck chassis (like an 18 wheeler). Lots of towing capacity, and you probably see some of these at the races.

nubber · 11-11-2011, 03:22 PM

Boy a toterhome with a stacker trailer sure would be nice but definately not in the cards. I'll change direction a bit with my thread instead of starting a new one. Do class c m/h's generally have lighter frames out back vs. class a's therefore lighter towing capacity's? Some of those 29-30 footers sure have a long overhang. Thanks!

DC Cruiser · 11-12-2011, 09:59 AM

Once again it depends on the Gross Combined Weight of the MH and trailer combined and the hitch class. Some C's I have looked at only have a hitch rated for 500lbs tongue weight and a trailer of 5,000lbs. So you maybe pushing the limits of the MH. If you get into the super C's then they usually are rated for Higher GCVW and hitch ratings. Lots of things to consider. Do your homework and have fun shopping I know it took us almost a year to find our MH and we are happy with our decision so far.

CHEERS

nubber · 11-12-2011, 10:03 PM

Thanks Cruise,
I'm pushing my luck with just a 500lb tongue weight hitch for sure. Also the trailer will be just under 7k so I'll be shopping for the big stuff to be safe. I'll have to hassle the owners to document the existing hitch assembly and ratings for their unit, joy. I'll have to hussle, only have till spring break to find it. Thanks again!

Toni Bennett · 11-13-2011, 01:01 PM

I am a new owner of a 1996 class c minnie winnie 27 feet and would like to tow a small car. I do not have the motor home yet and would like some input if someone out there has the same. I would like to know what is the best small car to tow and if it is even possible,

wa8yxm · 11-13-2011, 01:58 PM

Yes, each motor home has, somewhere in it, a sticker.. This sticker shows the weight of the vehicle as delivered, the weight with full tanks and a reasonable load of people and "Stuff", the maximum Gross vehicle weight, and the Maximum COMBINED vehicle weight.

Also the Hitch has a specification sticker on it when new (If you buy used you will likely not be able to read it)

As an example.. My 38 foot Gasser has a GVW ratihng of 22000 pounds, a weight of somethign like 21100 pounds with full tanks giving me 900 pounds of cargo carrying capacity (That's thh "Stuff" and, if fully loaded, a CGVW rating of 26,000 pounds so I can tow a 4,000 pound Chevy Lumina APV 4-down.. I can't put it on a dolly.

If I'd gone for a Diesel instead, Odds are I'd have had a couple thousand in Cargo capacity and 10,000 in towing capacity.

Oh, my hitch is rated for 5,000 pounds. And broke nicely under the influence of said Lumina.

nubber · 11-13-2011, 11:29 PM

Well said wa8yxm.........

Quote
As an example.. My 38 foot Gasser has a GVW ratihng of 22000 pounds, a weight of somethign like 21100 pounds with full tanks giving me 900 pounds of cargo carrying capacity (That's thh "Stuff" and, if fully loaded, a CGVW rating of 26,000 pounds so I can tow a 4,000 pound Chevy Lumina APV 4-down.. I can't put it on a dolly.
Quote

Mekanic · 11-14-2011, 12:41 AM

You could build one with only what you want and nothing you don't want. this is what I did over the last winter.
Bought a 94 F-700 with 5.9L cummins 6sp combo.
It had the 32K GVW(double frame), and air brake options
I added a 24 foot U haul box. then added bed, fridge, micowave, cabinets, windows, steps and a door.

You can only feel the 6K towing load on the steeper grades out west.
In the campground out west.

For more info here is the build thread
my new T/C project (with pics)