Are There Class B's That Can Pull 10,000+ lbs?

[isucivile]

OK... I hope I can explain what I am looking for.

I have a wife and 4 kids and we are new to RV'ing, but we love it and are addicted! We rented several Class C's and pop-up trailers before buying a camper.

We recently bought a new 36ft pull behind camper trailer, "Open Range Light". It weighs about 9,000 lbs fully loaded. Gorgeous camper... Really enjoyed it.

The only vehicle I could think of that could pull a trailer that size, and carry my family of 6, was a Yukon XL 2500 (3/4 ton). So that's what I bought.

We just got back from an awesome trip from St Louis to San Diego, and back. But we really struggled over the mountains east of San Diego. We made it - but it was hairy.

Now I am thinking we need to buy a stronger vehicle. I am looking at buying a Ford Excursion 7.3L Turbo Diesel. I have heard only good things about them.

But... then I saw an RV show on Destination America. And they showed these gorgeous conversion Class B vans and semi tractor trailer RV things. It got me thinking... Wouldn't it be nice if we could drive one of those rigs, instead of an SUV, and pull our camper at the same time?!

Does anyone make a diesel conversion van or Class B motorhome that will pull 10,000+ lbs? Where would I go look? Am I off my rocker?

I really appreciate your comments. Thanks!

[Craig_R]

I know this link doesn't give the GCWR spec but I believe this unit is on an F-450 chassis and may be close to what you are searching for. Probably not cheap but you and Mama can have the Dynamax and the kids get the trailer.

Isata F-Series by Dynamax - Floorplans

[r___r]

Originally Posted by isucivile

But... then I saw an RV show on Destination America. And they showed these gorgeous conversion Class B vans and semi tractor trailer RV things. It got me thinking... Wouldn't it be nice if we could drive one of those rigs, instead of an SUV, and pull our camper at the same time?!

Does anyone make a diesel conversion van or Class B motorhome that will pull 10,000+ lbs? Where would I go look? Am I off my rocker?

I really appreciate your comments. Thanks!

Class B is a tow vehicle 26,001lbs.(+) and CANNOT tow anything over 10,000 lbs.

Class A is a tow vehicle 26,001lbs.(+) and CAN tow anything from 0 lbs. and above 10,000 lbs.

You need to upgrade your license before you can legally drive 'these gorgeous conversion Class B vans and semi tractor trailer RV things' that are 26,001lbs.(+).

There are Non-Commercial Class A Drivers Licenses available, where the tow vehicle is 26,000 and less, but, tow trailers above 10,000 lbs.

There's probably more info about these licenses and what you can drive that I may have missed, but, there's a little bit of info for you.

Rich

[Craig_R]

Originally Posted by r___r

Class B is a tow vehicle 26,001lbs.(+) and CANNOT tow anything over 10,000 lbs.

Class A is a tow vehicle 26,001lbs.(+) and CAN tow anything from 0 lbs. and above 10,000 lbs.

You need to upgrade your license before you can legally drive 'these gorgeous conversion Class B vans and semi tractor trailer RV things' that are 26,001lbs.(+).

There are Non-Commercial Class A Drivers Licenses available, where the tow vehicle is 26,000 and less, but, tow trailers above 10,000 lbs.

There's probably more info about these licenses and what you can drive that I may have missed, but, there's a little bit of info for you.

Rich

Rich, that would depend on his state of domicile. For example if he is registered in TX then yes, he would need a non-commercial class B driver's license. However, in some other states, like SD, no special license is required for an RV of any size providing it doesn't exceed overall max weight, length, width and height requirements.

[r___r]

Originally Posted by Craig_R

Rich, that would depend on his state of domicile. For example if he is registered in TX then yes, he would need a non-commercial class B driver's license. However, in some other states, like SD, no special license is required for an RV of any size providing it doesn't exceed overall max weight, length, width and height requirements.

Thanks for catching that Craig, I forgot to mention that my info is regarding California. Don't want to be misleading.

[cj23andout]

I looked through one at Hershey last year and the build quality looked good.

They are pricey, and you won't find too many out there used.

Isata F-Series by Dynamax - Overview

They call it a Class C. It looks like a B+ to me.

[2Bargos]

Originally Posted by isucivile

It weighs about 9,000 lbs fully loaded. Thanks!

First thing I would recommend is weighing the loaded trailer ,this way you will have better picture of what you actually need.The current Ford E-350 is rated to tow 10,000lbs.
I have a good friend that uses an E-350 to tow his tt .He has a basic van with second and third row bench seat plus has some storage room in back of van.
With his family of five plus dog the van fits his needs well and he uses it as his daily driver.

Myself ,I a firm believer in bigger is better,Our first setup was a 27 foot jayco and a half ton pickup.Truck handled the load okay ,,but i wanted more of a "in control feel"while towing.I soon purchased an Dually.

While the Dually"four door, eight ft bed,with diesel engine"Made an excellent tow vehicle it wasnt a daliy driver,just to much truck to be a grocery hauler.
I dont know what you budget is but a 1 ton van may well suit your needs.Also you mentioned a excurision with 7.3 .IIrc 2002 was last year for the 7.3 so keep it mind its a 12 yr old truck and will most likely have high mileage.

[mre]

Nexus has three Super C diesels (32', 34' & 36') that tow 10,000 lbs. I drove the 32' and 34' and will probably be getting the 32'. Thor also has also has Four Winds and Chateau each of which has two models. Each model is on a F-550 chassis and has a GVWR of 19,500 lbs with a GCWR of 35,000 lbs which translates into 15,500 lbs of tow capacity. Whether or not they have a 15.5 K (or greater) hitch to support this, I don't know. Be careful if you talk to Thor, as my experience has been they give out incorrect information. You could also look at Host, they have three Super C diesels. There are no specs on their website that I found to show tow capacity, but they are on the F-550 chassis like Thor, so they may have a similar tow capacity. However, they are pricey. Then there is Dynamax which are expensive.

[rvhippo]

I think you are way over your payload limit on the Yukon which is why it performed so poorly. Most of the big SUVs only have about 1500-1750 lbs cargo carrying capacity. The trailer alone at 15% tongue weight already eats up most or all of that payload capacity.

Six passengers and luggage will probably put you well over the payload capacity.

The one-ton vans (Ford with the gas V10 and Chevy with the diesel V8) have about 3000-4000 lbs of payload and can tow 10,000 lbs.

Sportsmobile can do a custom conversion for you (including 4WD if desired). Their website has a design-it-yourself app if you want to play with layouts.

[Scarab0088]

This question will get more and more common as large Tow Vehicles become fewer and fewer. Basically a pick-up will be the only vehicle that will tow a nice big trailer.

The end of the E series will end the availability of the E-350 van in trade for a Euro-van, like the Sprinter.
Of course Chevy has not shown any intension to end the 3500 van.

If the OP wants a SUV with well over 10,000lb towing capacity...how about this:
Golden California Coach Inc.,
Go Big or Go Home

Safe travels

[wincrasher]

Another alternative would be to get a 3/4 ton crew cab with the Duramax. If he needs enclosed storage, just get a bed cap. My HD 2500 will pull just about any travel trailer without breaking a sweat and is still plenty roomy for a family. You can get the LTZ and still have almost as much luxury as a Yukon.

Unless he needs the extra cooking and sleeping accomodations, a class b/b+/c and travel trailer is a bit excessive.