Posted 2012-08-02 10:30 AM (#146005) Subject: Motorhome towing
Member
Posts: 10
Location: Temecula, Calif.
We are trying to move from truck trailer towing to motorhome trailer towing. For many years we have observed and camped with all size motorhomes pulling horse trailers. We are looking for something in the 30' or less range in a class c or a. The problem is the tow ratings are in the 3500 to 4000# range and dealers/ salesmen are clueless as to increasing the ratings and the aftermarket hitch selection is void of products. Most sales persons have the cure in the purchase of a diesel pusher....not interested in that price level and I have even been directed to a very nice older diesel model with a Cummins 5.9, no power. Any suggestions or insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Posted 2012-08-02 10:42 AM (#146007 - in reply to #146005) Subject: RE: Motorhome towing
Elite Veteran
Posts: 720
A number of the smaller motorhomes are overloaded by the time the manufacturer got through building them and the customer "moves in". The tow receiver was installed primarily for that 1 trip from the factory to the dealership, before any personal items were put inside.
Posted 2012-08-02 11:27 AM (#146012 - in reply to #146007) Subject: RE: Motorhome towing
Member
Posts: 10
Location: Temecula, Calif.
Thanks, I agree, in fact, it seems to me most are at capacity after the "box" is installed on the chassis with all the "stuff" inside. I am really amazed at the sight of some diesel pusher with the 30' enclosed high cube trailer behind it loaded with all the toys and gear. Maybe I will put a small camper on my truck with one of the after market mega hitches.
Posted 2012-08-02 9:18 PM (#146027 - in reply to #146005) Subject: RE: Motorhome towing
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 379 Location: Missouri
When my wife and I were contemplating going the RV route I found the same problems. Very few small RVs have the towing capacity for hauling horses. Many of the big class A pushers have a large enough tow capacity, but then you're stuck with 40' plus rigs. There is only one class C I found that came close to the necessary towing capacity, the Endura. http://www.conquestmotorhomes.com/products/conquest/superc/conquest...
In the end, we chose to stay with a truck and trailer.
Posted 2012-08-03 6:08 AM (#146034 - in reply to #146005) Subject: RE: Motorhome towing
Veteran
Posts: 282 Location: southcentral pennsylvania
Someone else on the forum will have details, but I remember a thread about a well known competitor pulling their trailer with a motorhome. Terrible accident (Texas?), as I remember, as a result of the motorhome's frame(?) or hitch(?) not being adequate to handle the load.
Posted 2012-08-03 8:10 AM (#146038 - in reply to #146005) Subject: RE: Motorhome towing
Expert
Posts: 1205 Location: Arkansas
I did this exact thing, pulled a 2 horse TB trailer behind a class A motor-home. I could back this up to park, go most sensible places.
HOwever, the reason we sold it and got the gooseneck LQ, well, the rear axle on the motor-home was more up under it than say, on a truck. The big issue was the motor-home would wag its tail, and its a big tail. This had the effect of exaggerating the back and forth and up and down movements of the trailer, sort of the tail on the kite, even with a WDH hitch. This is not the ride that we wanted for the animals, and they have a much better less fatiguing ride now with the truck and gooseneck trailer.
Also, the class A was a 454 gas burner, and our current tow truck is a diesel, upgraded, and we get twice the mileage. In addition, we wanted the 4WD capability in the truck...
Posted 2012-08-03 11:37 AM (#146041 - in reply to #146005) Subject: RE: Motorhome towing
Member
Posts: 10
Location: Temecula, Calif.
Thanks to all of you for taking the time to help. My wife and I decided to this morning to go the truck camper route and use the nice Dodge diesel we already have. Happy trails to all.
Posted 2012-08-07 4:19 AM (#146158 - in reply to #146005) Subject: RE: Motorhome towing
Member
Posts: 20
If the tow vehicle already has a receiver, all you need to select is the proper ball mount and the associated hardware, such as a load-distributing hitch. The receiver will be properly matched to the tow vehicle's trailer-towing rating.
Motorhome towing
