|
10-10-2007, 04:33 AM
|
#1
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 128
|
Hi All,
I would like to tow a trailer (stacker v nose) that will weight 16000 lbs loaded. I have looked at several different coaches 39/40 feet with mostly cat 330 HP motors. I talked to a Cat Motor guy he thought that this engine C-7(which is not discontinued) " might not do the job.
Does anyone have any imput?
|
|
|
|
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!
iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!
|
10-10-2007, 04:33 AM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 128
|
Hi All,
I would like to tow a trailer (stacker v nose) that will weight 16000 lbs loaded. I have looked at several different coaches 39/40 feet with mostly cat 330 HP motors. I talked to a Cat Motor guy he thought that this engine C-7(which is not discontinued) " might not do the job.
Does anyone have any imput?
|
|
|
10-10-2007, 05:59 AM
|
#3
|
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: West Palm Beach, FL. USA
Posts: 27,676
|
The rule of thumb is that you want at least 1 hp for every 100 lbs for adequate performance, so figure the gross combined weight of coach and trailer and divide by 100 lbs for a minimum horsepower figure.
I agree with the Cat guy - 330 hp isn't going to make you happy. Not only will the HP be low for the load, the torque (I think it is 925 ft lbs for a 2007 C7) is also on the light side. You need a larger Cat or a Cummins ISL or ISM.
I pushing 37,500 lbs down the road with a 370 hp, 1200 ft lb Cummins ISL and it is fine on the highway and adequate for the steep hills. I wish I had a bit more power for steep grades but it's OK. You will likely be over 40,000 lbs GCW, so an even larger engine would be better. The ISL is available in a 425 hp version but an ISM (500 and up) would be better yet. The Cat C9 is similar to the Cummins ISL and the C13 is competitive with the Cummins ISM.
I'm surprised that you are finding the C7 engine in a coach that has the GCWR for the size trailer you want to pull. Look at the GCWR on the coach as the very first thing - even a 26,000 lb coach will gross at least 42k with your 16k trailer, so you need a really strong chassis and power train.
__________________
Gary Brinck
Former owner of 2004 American Tradition and several other RVs
Home is West Palm Beach, FL
|
|
|
10-18-2007, 03:58 AM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 128
|
Roamer,
We have decided on a Damon with the ISC Cummins Engine 360 HP. The total trailer weight is about 16,000 lbs. The GVWR is 32000 lbs CGWR is 42000 lbs. Total weight would be 48000 lbs.
So from what you are saying I should have 480 HP motor for this job. The hitch that Damon installs is 10,000 lbs which is too small.
Think this rig is marginal for the stacker. Is that your take? I appreciate your ideas.
David
|
|
|
10-18-2007, 04:44 AM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Rochester NY
Posts: 2,706
|
Dave, my take is that your coach is not marginal for the stacker, but inadequate. You state you will be 6K lbs over GCVW. Have you considered your safety and the safety of others towing a trailer which causes you to exceed GCVWR?
If you ever get into an accident with this rig, watch out for the attorney who will take you to the proverbial cleaners.
__________________
Don
'07 Winnebago Journey 34H - CAT C7, Koni's, MCU's, SS Bell Crank, Safe-T-Plus
'07 HHR Toad, SMI AFO, Blue OX
|
|
|
10-18-2007, 06:49 AM
|
#6
|
Administrator in Memoriam
Newmar Owners Club Retired Fire Service RVer's Spartan Chassis
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Newark, DE
Posts: 25,898
|
I agree with Don.
Having enough horsepower to move the load is secondary.
Controlling that load is the primary issue.
Your trailer is 60% over the capacity of the hitch and motorhome rating.
We have a member on this forum whose 15,000# hitch broke from towing his stacker.
__________________
Adios, Dirk - '84 Real Lite Truck Camper, '86 Wilderness Cimarron TT, previously 4 years as a fulltimer in a '07 DSDP
|
|
|
10-18-2007, 05:32 PM
|
#7
|
Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Northern Illinois
Posts: 84
|
My opinion is that you should be paying more attention to chassis and hitch capabilities. Even a coach with a 15k towing capacity is going to be undersized for your needs.
Jeff
__________________
Jeff
2007 Travel Supreme Envoy 40DS04
|
|
|
10-19-2007, 04:20 AM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 128
|
To all,
I have given much thought and guidance to this question. Because I have purchased a motorhome that cannot accomodate a stacker or at least a standard stacker this is a mute point. I have found a company that is interested in building a stacker with a fiberglass body which will reduce the weight substantially and maybe make this idea work after all.
Regards
|
|
|
10-21-2007, 08:50 AM
|
#9
|
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: West Palm Beach, FL. USA
Posts: 27,676
|
Sorry to be late getting back to you, Dave, but the others gave good advice. Definitely do not exceed the GCWR or the hitch rating. And a bigger hitch does not mean the frame is strong enough for the extra load either.
A lighter trailer is you only option, so I hope it comes through for you. Still think it will be an overload, though.
__________________
Gary Brinck
Former owner of 2004 American Tradition and several other RVs
Home is West Palm Beach, FL
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|