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Just For Fun · 11-05-2015, 07:52 PM

In looking at Monaco and American Eagle MH, I've noticed that with the same engines, the Monaco is rated at 10,000 # and the American Eagle is rated at 15,000 # towing capacity.

Is the difference simply the way the tow hitch on each coach is attached?

If the answer is "Yes" than can the towing capacity of the Monaco be increased by simply having a more/better connection to the steel undercarriage?

BFlinn181 · 11-05-2015, 09:18 PM

There are many factors to calculate a towing capacity. The axle loads and ratings, the braking system limits, tire loads, The weight of the RV, and on and on. Just beefing up the receiver isn't a proper or legal way to increase towing capacity.

Gary RVRoamer · 11-06-2015, 05:35 AM

As BFlinn181 says, there are many potential factors, so a simple Yes/No answer isn't possible. The two major factors are the chassis GCWR (max combined weight) and the hitch mounting, but lots of mechanical things go into to establishing the GCWR.

By the way, the engine power is rarely the limiting factor in GCWR. Performance may be less lively with a heavy trailer in tow, but the rate of acceleration is not a factor in the rating. It is more about mechanical reliability.

Are you looking at new Monaco's vs new Eagles, both of which are built in the ARG factory in Decatur on a Freighltiner chassis? Or comparing some other years, when Monaco's were built on their own Roadmaster chassis? If older ones, there are a myriad of differences between the Spartan chassis under nearly all Eagles vs the various Roadmaster chassis. Also, are you talking Monaco's in general or a specific model? The Monaco Dynasty or Signature should be equivalent to an Eagle, but I would not expect a Monaco Cayman or Diplomat to be in the same league.

JMonroe · 11-06-2015, 07:19 AM

You could hang the biggest/badest receiver hitch on the back of a Smart Car, but that won't increase it's towing capacity.

As others have already said, power is just part of the equation. Engineering, structure, individual components all add or subtract from the total.

If it were me, I'd simply limit rigs under consideration to ones rated by the manufacturer for the weight you need to haul.

Just For Fun · 11-06-2015, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

As BFlinn181 says, there are many potential factors, so a simple Yes/No answer isn't possible. The two major factors are the chassis GCWR (max combined weight) and the hitch mounting, but lots of mechanical things go into to establishing the GCWR.

By the way, the engine power is rarely the limiting factor in GCWR. Performance may be less lively with a heavy trailer in tow, but the rate of acceleration is not a factor in the rating. It is more about mechanical reliability.

Are you looking at new Monaco's vs new Eagles, both of which are built in the ARG factory in Decatur on a Freighltiner chassis? Or comparing some other years, when Monaco's were built on their own Roadmaster chassis? If older ones, there are a myriad of differences between the Spartan chassis under nearly all Eagles vs the various Roadmaster chassis. Also, are you talking Monaco's in general or a specific model? The Monaco Dynasty or Signature should be equivalent to an Eagle, but I would not expect a Monaco Cayman or Diplomat to be in the same league.

Monaco Signature - 2004 and 2005
American Eagle - 2004 and 2005

Gary RVRoamer · 11-07-2015, 07:19 AM

OK, so we are talking two distinctly different chassis here, the Monaco Roadmaster vs the Spartan Mountain Master GT (or maybe the Freightliner XCM (American Coach offer both Spartan & Freightliner in 2004-2005). The Spartan has 1 15,000 lb tow rating while the Freightliner was 12,000 (that's what I have in my '04 American Tradition).

The Roadmaster RR8R is a substantially different design than either Spartan or Freightliner, so not surprising that the tow capacity is different.