High Combined Weight Question

[David Maynar]

We are searching for a Class A that will be asked to serve a wide range of tasks. Due to the need to tow significant weights we have already eliminated gas coaches and are focused on pushers. The decision between new and used will likely be made based on used availability once we can’t stand to shop any longer. But we are not in a hurry as of now. We can wait for the right second hand unit if they are out there.

We will use the coach for traditional purposes like vacations as well as for business purposes. On the low side I anticipate 30k miles annually and in a good year that could reach into the 60-70k range. As we need a trailer for the business roles we will most likely use the same trailer to tow our vehicle at other times. And that is where my question lies. It seems from what I am seeing the majority of pushers with a single rear axle have a towing capacity of 10k pounds and a 50% gain with a tag. That extra 5k would be a very big deal to me in how we will use it.

But, it also appears that coaches with tags are generally over 40’. The diminishing return for the extra towing capacity becomes very real as I need to shorten the trailer appreciably to stay under 65’.
Does anyone know any manufacturers that “specialize” in higher combination weights in shorter (38 to 40 feet) coaches?

I suppose in a perfect world I’d be doing a bus conversion but that isn’t happening. Our budget currently sits at $200k but could be adjusted should we find the perfect fit. Of course 200k isn’t going to get me anything new with a tag I expect.

Thanks for any help you can offer.

[RV Wizard]

Hello and We are glad to have you join us here and we look forward to reading of your adventures and experiences. I am sure you will enjoy our website and forums. Good luck, stay safe and keep us posted.

Check out the website Race, Drag cars, Trailers and Engines for sale | RacingJunk Classifieds for rigs that are designed to pull larger trailers. they are called toterhomes.

[Sweetbriar]

Search out a sub class referred to a Super C. They are built on a medium to heavy front engine diesel chassis with towing capacities reaching into the 20 lbs range. You'll normally see them under 40' lengths single drive axle while 45' with a tag are available.

[Crasher]

FWIW, We have a 44' tag coach and we tow a 26' (31' w/tongue) for a 75' overall length. Out son's similar rig is 77' long. In three years, we have never had an issue. In CA it's easy to get a $16 over length permit. I don't know why, but LEO's do not bother private RV's for length as long as they are not speeding or violating some other ordnance. I met three rigs in ST George last year that were over 80' long and had come from the east coast and neither one was stopped for length. I've talked to my insurance company regarding being overlength in the event of an accident, and they do not have a problem with it. If you are going to be towing a 10-15,000# trailer, you absolutely want a tag coach.

Edit: As to your weight question I weigh about 53,000 loaded with trailer. Our sons Mountain Aire w/ trailer is closer to 60,000. He has ordered a Newell that will come in close to 70,000# w/loaded trailer.

[Scarab0088]

Diesel Pushers are beautiful...but like said above, for a real heavyweight chassis, you have a great option in the "Super C" market with Class 5, 6, 7 and 8 cab/chassis carrying the RV box.

Class 5 models are riding on the new(ish) lines based on the Ford F550 and Ram 5500...towing capacities start at 10,000lb.

Class 6-8 models are on cab/chassis, some with tag axles, from makers like Freightliner, IH/Navistar, and even Kenworth as your budget allows. Check out the Forums here:
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f16/

Best luck

[RobbieH]

Originally Posted by Scarab0088

Class 5 models are riding on the new(ish) lines based on the Ford F550 and Ram 5500...towing capacities start at 10,000lb.

I had one of these before my DP, it was on the F550. It was a hot rod. With 7,000 lbs behind it, it would very easily outrun my 400hp DP. Going through the Rockies, I never lost any speed at all, even when towing. I did not mention it due to him saying he was looking at 15,000 lbs. But there are some really big Super C models out there on Freightliner trucks that I bet would have no problem at all with that kind of weight.

[rvadventure]

Originally Posted by David Maynar

We are searching for a Class A that will be asked to serve a wide range of tasks. Due to the need to tow significant weights we have already eliminated gas coaches and are focused on pushers. The decision between new and used will likely be made based on used availability once we can’t stand to shop any longer. But we are not in a hurry as of now. We can wait for the right second hand unit if they are out there.

We will use the coach for traditional purposes like vacations as well as for business purposes. On the low side I anticipate 30k miles annually and in a good year that could reach into the 60-70k range. As we need a trailer for the business roles we will most likely use the same trailer to tow our vehicle at other times. And that is where my question lies. It seems from what I am seeing the majority of pushers with a single rear axle have a towing capacity of 10k pounds and a 50% gain with a tag. That extra 5k would be a very big deal to me in how we will use it.r

But, it also appears that coaches with tags are generally over 40’. The diminishing return for the extra towing capacity becomes very real as I need to shorten the trailer appreciably to stay under 65’.
Does anyone know any manufacturers that “specialize” in higher combination weights in shorter (38 to 40 feet) coaches?

I suppose in a perfect world I’d be doing a bus conversion but that isn’t happening. Our budget currently sits at $200k but could be adjusted should we find the perfect fit. Of course 200k isn’t going to get me anything new with a tag I expect.

Thanks for any help you can offer.

HI David welcome to the forum; there are lots of 40' coaches used and new with a tag. Just to name a few;
Newmar
Tiffen
Monaco
Country coach
Fore travel
These are all good premium coaches, Aldo in the newer Allegro buses they have a 37' to 40' with a 15 K tow rating. Regards

https://www.google.com/search?q=nort...ysEZ12-f3lM%3A

[dmurdock]

Originally Posted by Sweetbriar

Search out a sub class referred to a Super C. They are built on a medium to heavy front engine diesel chassis with towing capacities reaching into the 20 lbs range. You'll normally see them under 40' lengths single drive axle while 45' with a tag are available.

I agree..for what you want super c is the setup!

[2 Stroker]

Here is a 40' with a tag, top of the line coach.
2006 Country Coach Intrigue 40 | Premier RV
2 stroker

[David Maynar]

Sorry for not saying thanks earlier, it was a very busy week for me.

We will be attending a show in April and hopefully get a chance to investigate the Super C's in some detail. In the meantime we are going to do a couple of factory tours (Entegra is first on the list) and try to learn as much as possible.

Thanks again.

D

[2 Stroker]

Originally Posted by David Maynar

Sorry for not saying thanks earlier, it was a very busy week for me.

We will be attending a show in April and hopefully get a chance to investigate the Super C's in some detail. In the meantime we are going to do a couple of factory tours (Entegra is first on the list) and try to learn as much as possible.

Thanks again.

D

If you are interested in the Entegra, here are some great youtube's to look at.
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...BC71&FORM=VIRE
2 stroker

[marknpeg]

Foretravel made some 38' tag axle coaches, very nice units very well built. Ideally I would have bought one of those and done a full remodel to modern standards.

[gtsum2]

Super c's are made for the kind who f weight you want to tow and the length issues you might have. The issue will be cost...the higher end ones with true 20k towing capacity are quite expensive and likely not as readily available on the used market.

[Ziggy8321]

Since I have just ordered a 2018 Renegade Verona Super C, I can say with certainty that you can get 20k towing capacity with 5,000 lbs OCCC, 150 gal water, 75 ea black and grey (for long trips and boon docking at the races) etc, etc and you can do it for just a bit more than you are budgeting. This is on a 37' (36'10" actually) single rear axle Freightliner M2 chassis and Cummins ISL9 350 HP 1000 lb power. PM me if you want to discuss.

Also, Renegade is in Bristol, IN not far from Entegra.