Devocamper wrote:
We are currently in the process of looking for a motor home to replace our fifth wheel and truck and it seems that we are going to be in the 35 to 38 foot range to find the floor plans we feel work for us since we are finding it hard to find a residential type floor plan such as our current fifth wheel( recliners you can see the tv from , dinning table and chairs not a booth , accessible bath and kitchen with slides closed) that sort of stuff. Our price point will keep us in the gas chassis unless we were to find a real great diesel deal. I have many questions about this change from fifth wheel to motorhome but my first is how the larger heavier gas motorhomes on these 24K and 26K ford chassis handle towing a dinghy in the weight range of 3300 lbs. We have a new Subaru Forester that is able to be towed with its standard transmission all four down. I just want to know from people that are using these heavier motorhome and towing this way how these chassis handle this weight on average highway grades and some steeper secondary roads. I know they are rated to tow 5K but do they really struggle when you put a 38 foot motorhome on top of a 24K or 26K chassis and then tow 3k-5K? Also I am finding the cost of setting up the dinghy to be in the $2K to $3K dollar range by the selling dealers is that a normal range for setting up a car to be towed, baseplates, wiring, tow bar and aux braking?
Thanks for any information or help in advance, this is a procces that I hope to get right the first time, took three trailers to find the one that worked for us for the last 8 years.
Mike
Without getting into a lot of discussion and detail about gas pullers and DP's, let's just say that a big rig is already pulling so much weight and drinking so much fuel that another 2 tons or so, makes not much difference. Having said that, if the math doesn't add up and you find yourself grossly overloaded, the tranny might suffer on long steep grades. Speaking here in general of course and particulars for every setup, can vary and be numerous.
Towing equipment varies also and I have less than $1500 complete, using the NSA READYBRUTE/ELITE system, along with doing it all myself. Still the best.... and bang for the buck as well, IMO.
