Changing Sizes

[buckeyes]

After spending the last 10 months in our 38' Class A DP, we have made the move across country to our new home in Tennessee. The Class A has served us well, but no longer fits our needs as we are going to be traveling less and shorter distances with less "stuff". Therefore, we feel that moving to a Class C will fill our requirements at reduced cost, for operation and maintenance, but still give us comfort on the road.
The new Class C is going to be a Holiday Rambler Atlantis, 31' with the V10, 6.8L engine.
That being said, my concerns are that we are used to pulling our Grand Cherokee behind us, and was wondering if we can do so with this Class C. The towing capacity is rated at 5,000lbs, and the Jeep weighs about 4,200.
That is cutting it close as far as I see it, but then again, I have seen many Class C on the road pulling the same or larger. What are your feelings on this?
The next is that the roof is a Fiberglass Roof, and I have no exposure to those. Our last MH had a rubber roof and I liked how easy it was to care for. Fiberglass roof? Pro or Con?
The large portion of the Class C protrudes past the rear axle quite far, as all do,but it worries me that somehow, this may make it not as stable our other MH. Comments please?
Okay, that about does it, and just like anyone going into a new venture, I have concerns. If you have comments or suggestions, I would appreciate hearing them. Thank You.

[buckeyes]

After spending the last 10 months in our 38' Class A DP, we have made the move across country to our new home in Tennessee. The Class A has served us well, but no longer fits our needs as we are going to be traveling less and shorter distances with less "stuff". Therefore, we feel that moving to a Class C will fill our requirements at reduced cost, for operation and maintenance, but still give us comfort on the road.
The new Class C is going to be a Holiday Rambler Atlantis, 31' with the V10, 6.8L engine.
That being said, my concerns are that we are used to pulling our Grand Cherokee behind us, and was wondering if we can do so with this Class C. The towing capacity is rated at 5,000lbs, and the Jeep weighs about 4,200.
That is cutting it close as far as I see it, but then again, I have seen many Class C on the road pulling the same or larger. What are your feelings on this?
The next is that the roof is a Fiberglass Roof, and I have no exposure to those. Our last MH had a rubber roof and I liked how easy it was to care for. Fiberglass roof? Pro or Con?
The large portion of the Class C protrudes past the rear axle quite far, as all do,but it worries me that somehow, this may make it not as stable our other MH. Comments please?
Okay, that about does it, and just like anyone going into a new venture, I have concerns. If you have comments or suggestions, I would appreciate hearing them. Thank You.

[RV Wizard]

Gene & Betty, the rear overhang will be the biggest problem. Not only will it be harder to keep it in the center of the lane and handle well but you will want to be more careful entering or exiting steep incline driverways. THe fiberglass roof will be easy to maintain, just clean it a few times a year and use a UV polish at the end of the season. You would be able to pull the Jeep but this will also add to the "tail wagging the dog" effect of hanling in comparison to the DP you are used to driving. Good luck and keep us posted.

[Gary RVRoamer]

In my opinion the fiberglass roof is much easier to care for - mops up easily if you care to wash it and practically no "black streaks" on the sides of the coach because there is no oxidation of the pigments in the rubber running down the side walls.

The longer rear overhang does tend to get swayed a bit more when trucks pass, but not so much as to be unsafe. Annoying more than anything else.

I don't think you will have any problem towing the Jeep.