Class C RV towing capacity
We are new to the RV Purchased a 92 31ft four winds Class C and want to tow a 2010 Ford Explorer What is the best hitch Not sure what the tow capacity is
Forum Discussion
Hi,
What is the GVWR on the drivers side door for the van? It will either be 14,050 or something less. This gives a indication of it being a E-450 or the E-350 that was earlier.
What engine do you have? 460" V8 is probably in there, along with the 4 speed auto. Slightly newer, and I think that 1996 was the first time they offered the V10 6.8L (smaller than the 460").
You probably have a hitch on the RV, and it should have a rating on it. While the 'hitch' might say it is good for 5,000 pounds (without tearing it up) the chassis that it might be mounted to might not be rated that high. Ford rated the 96 E-450 chassis with a 22,000 GCVWR. But that did not include any frame extensions. Chances are that the chassis was extended by the RV manufacture by welding on about 3' - 6' long frame extension. If the hitch is bolted to that extension, then the RV manufacture is responsible for deciding how much it can tow. Many times the manufactures limited towing to only 3,500 pounds.
The Explorer is probably around 4,000 pounds curb weight? You would need to take it to a scale to find out for sure. My Edge that is slightly smaller is around 4,200 curb weight, though I did not take it to a scale.
You will also need a braking system. For my Edge I installed a junkyard cruise control motor, and when I turn on the motorhome brake lights, a solenoid energizes in the car, allowing vacuum (from motorhome engine) to pass to the cruise control, and pulls the cable that pulls the brake pedal to the floor. This pull is limited to about 20 pounds of force, and can not slam on the brakes, but will provide some noticeable 'pull' on the RV to slow it on a hill.
I also have the 460" engine in my class A motorhome, a 96 chassis, one of the last years before the class A went to the V10 engine.
Do you have a Ford or Chevy chassis?
Good luck!
Fred.
What is the GVWR on the drivers side door for the van? It will either be 14,050 or something less. This gives a indication of it being a E-450 or the E-350 that was earlier.
What engine do you have? 460" V8 is probably in there, along with the 4 speed auto. Slightly newer, and I think that 1996 was the first time they offered the V10 6.8L (smaller than the 460").
You probably have a hitch on the RV, and it should have a rating on it. While the 'hitch' might say it is good for 5,000 pounds (without tearing it up) the chassis that it might be mounted to might not be rated that high. Ford rated the 96 E-450 chassis with a 22,000 GCVWR. But that did not include any frame extensions. Chances are that the chassis was extended by the RV manufacture by welding on about 3' - 6' long frame extension. If the hitch is bolted to that extension, then the RV manufacture is responsible for deciding how much it can tow. Many times the manufactures limited towing to only 3,500 pounds.
The Explorer is probably around 4,000 pounds curb weight? You would need to take it to a scale to find out for sure. My Edge that is slightly smaller is around 4,200 curb weight, though I did not take it to a scale.
You will also need a braking system. For my Edge I installed a junkyard cruise control motor, and when I turn on the motorhome brake lights, a solenoid energizes in the car, allowing vacuum (from motorhome engine) to pass to the cruise control, and pulls the cable that pulls the brake pedal to the floor. This pull is limited to about 20 pounds of force, and can not slam on the brakes, but will provide some noticeable 'pull' on the RV to slow it on a hill.
I also have the 460" engine in my class A motorhome, a 96 chassis, one of the last years before the class A went to the V10 engine.
Do you have a Ford or Chevy chassis?
Good luck!
Fred.
