Class C Trailer Towing Capacity
I know there are a ton of discussions on this but i searched the sticky thread on towing and all the info. was from 2004. Please feel free to direct me to other threads if needed. I would love to hear from anyone who has gone down this road.
We are looking at Class C and want to Haul a 2004 Jeep Wrangler TJ on a trailer (not flat tow). We want to use the trailer for 2 reasons - 1) Overall I think hauling on a quality double axle trailer with heavy duty trailer brakes on both axles is safer than flat tow, and 2) Our Jeep is an off-road rig with big lift and big (expensive) tires - have heard off-road rigs can get squirrely in flat tow and it eats up those expensive tires.
Here is what I THINK I know (correct me as needed please).
1. The units we are looking at are all 28' or under and on the Ford E450 Chassis with a GVWR max of 14,500# and a GCWR of 20,000#. This gives me ability to haul 5,500# of Jeep/Trailer.
2. The V-10 drivetrain is a well proven truck based setup that can handle the loads.
3. I have weighed the Trailer/Jeep (fully loaded with all gear while on actual Jeep Trips) several times on commercial scales. Those weights for the Jeep/Trailer ranged from min of 5000# to max of 5,300#.
4. I have not checked the tongue weight but has been estimated at 500# to 600#. I understand that the tongue weight must be included in the GVWR of the motorhome.
5. Based on the above if I do the following I can safely and legally tow the Jeep/Trailer:
Install a Class IV Hitch with proper Frame reinforcement if
needed.
Verify and manage the tongue weight.
Do not exceed the 14,500# GVWR on the Motorhome and do not
overload the Jeep/trailer.
Has anyone gone down this specific rabbit hole and what did you find/decide. If so what exact modifications did you do to reinforce hitch/frame or on any other components (brakes, additional cooling etc.)?
I know there is much debate on this topic. I have years of experience hauling trailers and understand the risks of any towing done at the max limits of the tow vehicle. However it is my impression that the tow ratings placed on Motorhomes are based on the original Chassis as supplied by Ford (or Chevy), not taking into account what the final manufacturer puts on that chassis. Leads me to think that if we stay with a smaller unit (28' or under with no or just 1 slide) and manage the additional payload (gear, water, etc.) we can stay well under the GVWR/GCWR. I know that "other people are doing it" is not a good benchmark, but there are a huge amount of folks hauling bigger loads than I am proposing behind Class C's. I am hoping those folks will chime in with their thoughts.
Fire away. Any and all polite info/advice greatly appreciated.
We are looking at Class C and want to Haul a 2004 Jeep Wrangler TJ on a trailer (not flat tow). We want to use the trailer for 2 reasons - 1) Overall I think hauling on a quality double axle trailer with heavy duty trailer brakes on both axles is safer than flat tow, and 2) Our Jeep is an off-road rig with big lift and big (expensive) tires - have heard off-road rigs can get squirrely in flat tow and it eats up those expensive tires.
Here is what I THINK I know (correct me as needed please).
1. The units we are looking at are all 28' or under and on the Ford E450 Chassis with a GVWR max of 14,500# and a GCWR of 20,000#. This gives me ability to haul 5,500# of Jeep/Trailer.
2. The V-10 drivetrain is a well proven truck based setup that can handle the loads.
3. I have weighed the Trailer/Jeep (fully loaded with all gear while on actual Jeep Trips) several times on commercial scales. Those weights for the Jeep/Trailer ranged from min of 5000# to max of 5,300#.
4. I have not checked the tongue weight but has been estimated at 500# to 600#. I understand that the tongue weight must be included in the GVWR of the motorhome.
5. Based on the above if I do the following I can safely and legally tow the Jeep/Trailer:
Install a Class IV Hitch with proper Frame reinforcement if
needed.
Verify and manage the tongue weight.
Do not exceed the 14,500# GVWR on the Motorhome and do not
overload the Jeep/trailer.
Has anyone gone down this specific rabbit hole and what did you find/decide. If so what exact modifications did you do to reinforce hitch/frame or on any other components (brakes, additional cooling etc.)?
I know there is much debate on this topic. I have years of experience hauling trailers and understand the risks of any towing done at the max limits of the tow vehicle. However it is my impression that the tow ratings placed on Motorhomes are based on the original Chassis as supplied by Ford (or Chevy), not taking into account what the final manufacturer puts on that chassis. Leads me to think that if we stay with a smaller unit (28' or under with no or just 1 slide) and manage the additional payload (gear, water, etc.) we can stay well under the GVWR/GCWR. I know that "other people are doing it" is not a good benchmark, but there are a huge amount of folks hauling bigger loads than I am proposing behind Class C's. I am hoping those folks will chime in with their thoughts.
Fire away. Any and all polite info/advice greatly appreciated.
