We currently have a 2023 FR Sunseeker 2400 MBS. The Mercedes chassis' tow capacity comes in around 4200 #. Works fine with our 2011 CRV which weighs in around 3500#. We are looking at a new 2026 Jeep Wrangler 2 door with a curb weight of just over 4000#. This puts us near the max on the RV's tow capacity and that's not counting fuel/fluids and anything in the Jeep. On paper it works but I think we all know I'll be over the 4200 tow limit by the time it's hooked up to the bars. (I'm probably already slightly over when doing the math on GCWR vs GVWR) This is the first RV I've owned that I have been so close to the tow capacity. I do have brakes, breakaway etc. But I think in this case it's probably more about strain on the engine and drivetrain. The Jeep is really the only new vehicle available to flat tow that we really like. We don't plan on keeping this RV forever and have plans in the next year or so to move to a Renegade super C where we won't even be close on the numbers. So, should I be overly concerned with being so close and potentially over the tow capacity with the Jeep? We usually stay pretty much to the East coast and our plans to head west with real mountains will start with the new RV when the time comes. Worst case, I can still tow our CRV (as long as it's still running) and set the jeep up to tow later with the new RV. Appreciate your candid thoughts. - Jeff

Jeep is a tiny vehicle. The two time I've ridden in one, I had my legs spread and knees wedged against the dashboard. Yes, the seat was all the way back.Don't forget to count the weight of the dash ducks you'll collect.

I'm familiar with Jeeps. I have an 87 that I've restored, but it's a Sunday driver and probably the least comfortable vehicle I've ever owned. The older ones really feel more purpose built. Of course it's lifted and has bigger tires. Plenty of room for me but the cockpit is a bit tight. But man is it fun with the top and doors off. We live at the beach and it's perfect. The newer ones are much better from a ride and comfort perspective. I have found though that the newer ones with the larger dash feel a bit more claustrophobic but ergonomics are fine. It's still the best toad for us. I am thinking that from a drag coefficient, I really can't see where the marginal weight of the vehicle really matters much when flat towing. Pulling a 4 down toad doesn't impact MPG much which tells me it's not much of a drag. It's not an F350, it's a 2 door Jeep coming in a 4k lbs. I can't really see where being close to the rating is going to matter. On a few other forums, lots of guys tow Jeeps with MSB based C's and have no issues. The new Mercedes 6 cyl is a bit anemic at the top end and on hills, but that's the nature of that set up.

looks like your on the hunt for a new motorhome 🤣 a couple hundred lbs isn't going to matter much, ya being 500lbs more you might feel it and you might notice it in the fuel, but shouldn't be much different. if you have agressive off road tires on the jeep you might even feel the fuel difference even more.

First, thank you for a detailed description Something that many don’t do when asking a question. second you’ll be fine. Think about it like this. No hitch weight. And no wind resistance. it’ll be fine and not much different than currently. Unless the rig struggles now it won’t struggle with the jeep

Yes. Fwiw, for example, towing our 6klb boat with a tower, would drop 3-4mpg. Same as hauling truck camper on same truck. Towing boat behind the truck camper = almost the same mileage as camper only. or recently towing an empty 3500lb flatbed trailer, mpg drops about 1-1.5mpg from bobtail. Frontal area or wind resistance is imo more of a factor than weight at highway speeds. At low speed neither is an issue within reason.

Crunching numbers for potential new TOAD | Good Sam Community

16 Replies

Jtlangjr
Explorer II
Jan 03, 2026
Sounds to me like you’re not that thrilled with your flat tow option in that weight class. If it were me since you are upgrading to a rig with such a substantial increase in towing capacity, I would just wait and get something that you really want as your towed.
- way2roll
  Trailblazer
  Jan 03, 2026
  The Jeep is really what we want as the toad. That was really the crux of the question, whether my current MH will have issues with the Jeep. I think the general consensus is it will be fine and still technically within specs. It will be a while until we get the new MH but we need a new vehicle now. The CRV is getting a little long in the tooth.
Grit_dog
Navigator III
Jan 03, 2026
First, thank you for a detailed description Something that many don’t do when asking a question.
second you’ll be fine. Think about it like this. No hitch weight. And no wind resistance.
it’ll be fine and not much different than currently. Unless the rig struggles now it won’t struggle with the jeep
- way2roll
  Trailblazer
  Jan 03, 2026
  Thanks Grit. I was hoping you'd chime in. I appreciate your practical advice.
  - Grit_dog
    Navigator III
    Jan 03, 2026
    Yes. Fwiw, for example, towing our 6klb boat with a tower, would drop 3-4mpg. Same as hauling truck camper on same truck. Towing boat behind the truck camper = almost the same mileage as camper only.
    or recently towing an empty 3500lb flatbed trailer, mpg drops about 1-1.5mpg from bobtail.
    Frontal area or wind resistance is imo more of a factor than weight at highway speeds. At low speed neither is an issue within reason.
StirCrazy
Moderator
Jan 03, 2026
looks like your on the hunt for a new motorhome 🤣

a couple hundred lbs isn't going to matter much, ya being 500lbs more you might feel it and you might notice it in the fuel, but shouldn't be much different. if you have agressive off road tires on the jeep you might even feel the fuel difference even more.
- way2roll
  Trailblazer
  Jan 03, 2026
  We have pretty much narrowed down what our next rig is. We like the Renegade Verona and Valencia models. The plan is full time or at least part time. Still in planning mode for now.
  That's what I was thinking on the toad.
  - joebedford
    Nomad III
    Jan 08, 2026
    Have you done extended RVing in a class B? I think you'll find full time in a B to be somewhat challenging.
    I'm a big guy and while I consider a B OK for a weekend, I couldn't handle it for months at a time.
joebedford
Nomad III
Jan 02, 2026
Jeep is a tiny vehicle. The two time I've ridden in one, I had my legs spread and knees wedged against the dashboard. Yes, the seat was all the way back.
Don't forget to count the weight of the dash ducks you'll collect.
- Grit_dog
  Navigator III
  Jan 03, 2026
  Nice story?
  - joebedford
    Nomad III
    Jan 04, 2026
    ?
- way2roll
  Trailblazer
  Jan 02, 2026
  I'm familiar with Jeeps. I have an 87 that I've restored, but it's a Sunday driver and probably the least comfortable vehicle I've ever owned. The older ones really feel more purpose built. Of course it's lifted and has bigger tires. Plenty of room for me but the cockpit is a bit tight. But man is it fun with the top and doors off. We live at the beach and it's perfect. The newer ones are much better from a ride and comfort perspective. I have found though that the newer ones with the larger dash feel a bit more claustrophobic but ergonomics are fine. It's still the best toad for us. I am thinking that from a drag coefficient, I really can't see where the marginal weight of the vehicle really matters much when flat towing. Pulling a 4 down toad doesn't impact MPG much which tells me it's not much of a drag. It's not an F350, it's a 2 door Jeep coming in a 4k lbs. I can't really see where being close to the rating is going to matter. On a few other forums, lots of guys tow Jeeps with MSB based C's and have no issues. The new Mercedes 6 cyl is a bit anemic at the top end and on hills, but that's the nature of that set up.