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Dariengia · 03-25-2008, 04:06 PM

I have a Winnebago Elandon 1986 with a 454 Chevy block engine. I would like to tow a 29' Coachman that weighs 7,200 pounds, no mountains, just straight towing. Do you think this will be all right? I want to go to Vegas from Miami, FL.

Dariengia · 03-25-2008, 04:06 PM

I have a Winnebago Elandon 1986 with a 454 Chevy block engine. I would like to tow a 29' Coachman that weighs 7,200 pounds, no mountains, just straight towing. Do you think this will be all right? I want to go to Vegas from Miami, FL.

TXiceman · 03-25-2008, 05:48 PM

Truthfully, you will be hard pressed to tow about 5000# at the most. That much TT will have about 900# to 1000# of hitch weight, so you will need to be concerned with rear axle weight as well

See this is our post #2, so welcome aboard.

Ken

Wallaby Dan · 03-25-2008, 07:18 PM

Most tow bars are only 5000 pound bars and the same for the stinger. You would need a Class 4 hitch and I'm not sure if you can handle that much weight even if you did have a class 4 hitch. The total weight for that unit is 19000 pounds. That said, you would have to haver your Motorhome weighed and the trailer too to make sure if you are close to your max gvwr. If your motorhome is under say 10000 pounds and you have a class 4 hitch and you have everything just right you may..get away with it but I don't think it will go myself!

fleamarketer · 03-27-2008, 03:00 AM

Might want to consider how well it will tow.Everytime a semi truck goes by ya is it going to sway like it doesn't belong behind the mh??.OK-lets say you got room on the gtw and you got the hitch and you got a new prayer book too(you going to need it on this trip),but you still need to consider the wind resistance on flat towing or not.

Nope-I wouldn't tow with it.

rjf7g · 03-27-2008, 03:23 AM

I wouldn't even try! I have a 92 Tioga on a Ford E-350 chassis and don't pull anything behind it except my generator on a hitch hauler! Not only do you have to pull a trailer with a load, but you have to keep it on the road AND stop it. I have a 23' boat I pull with my Durango, so it's not about pulling a trailer...

NeilV · 03-28-2008, 01:48 AM

A motorhome is not really designed for anything that uses/requires a load equalizing hitch such as your coachman which I am presuming is a Camping Trailer and not a small motorhome. The hitches on those were mostly for a bike rack, gold cart trailers, small boat, light utility trailer, small car/SUV on a tow bar or dolly and the like with less than 350 lbs tongue weight possibly 250 lbs depending on how it is loaded up. It does not matter what the rating stamped on the hitch is as the capacity of the frame/suspension that it is mounted on will negate that.

parmm · 03-31-2008, 07:04 PM

The following is from a 1994 Chevy manual for a P30 chassis (model P31432), and others, which should be similar to the chassis you have:
"Trailer Towing Provisions, Cutaway Motorhome
(P31832/P31952/P32052)
The frame is designed to carry a 450 lb. maximum tongue load (approximatelyu 4500 lb. trailer weight). For Motorhome Chassis the maximum tongue load of 450 lbs is allowed provided that the center of gravity (C.G.) of the body and payload (including all tanks, generator, etc) is at least 26 inches forward of the centerline of the rear axle. All tanks, generator, etc. must be located in such manner that the composite center of gravity is as far forward as possible.

Pages 15, 16 and 17 of this document specify tht the C.G. location be within certain limits for proper brake balance and may be more restrictive that the data mentioned above. Body builder must use all appropriate data.

Note to Consumer:
Failure to keep body and payload C.G. at least 26 inches forward of centerline of rear axle will result in degradation of trailer towing capacity. Consult with your body Builder/Final Stage Manufacturer to determine maximum tongue load for your vehicle."

The models mentioned above (P31832/(31952/P32052) at 12,300 GVWR are at the top of the limit for the P30 chassis. I don't think there is any way of safely pulling a 7000 lb. trailer behind your motorhome. In fact I would call the Chevy quoted 4500 lbs. a long shot when everything is taken into consideration.

george henry · 04-01-2008, 08:41 AM

Dariengia , Welcome to iRv2.com . keep it under 55 mph and make sure that the travel trailer is completly empty no extra weight and empty propane tanks , no water . make sure you replaced your m/h hitch to a class 4 hitch. give yourself plenty of stopping distance. Take you time , and don't be in a hurry. . it can be done just take your time and plan ahead. Please be careful.and drive in the outside lane the whole time. Don't even think about passing anyone on the road unless that person is on a bicycle. You are way over your weight limit you might get stop and get a ticket. If you feel high winds going across 1-10 from Fl to texas just pull over and wait it out. GOOD LUCK , it can be done , but to be honest I wouldn't do it.

NeilV · 04-01-2008, 06:52 PM

Rmember one thing about the specs from Chevy on the P30 chassis. They state a max capacity "IF".... Most motorhomes are a compromise on that so the max will most likely not be available. Also you are talking about a 22 year old vehicle that you should not be pushing to its max capacity any more. Your trailer is well beyond the design capacity of your Elandon when it was new. 22 years of wear and tear have not increased its capacity.

Give Winnebago a call and see what they reccomend.