How much can a class A tow?

msturtz wrote:
As other posters have said the GCWR - GWWR is a place to start. It isn't the end of the story. It can depend on how you load your coach. My coach has a 10k rating but I can only use it if I don't fully load my coach to max GVWR.

The way I understand things is the actual vehicle loaded condition is all included in the **GVWR** The **GCWR** is only for determening whats added to the rear to tow

In other words you can load the vehicle till it weighs 34600(my case)
and then I can still pull 15000 lbs max less the tongue weight

As other posters have said the GCWR - GWWR is a place to start. It isn't the end of the story. It can depend on how you load your coach. My coach has a 10k rating but I can only use it if I don't fully load my coach to max GVWR.

beemerphile1 wrote:
I am rather ignorant when it comes to a class A because I've always had trailers.

Is there a chart, graph, or article that would guide me on how much the different class A MHs can tow?

I am looking at a 2004 Monaco Diplomat (M-38PBDD) with the 330hp Cummins. I'm wondering if it can regularly tow our 2006 Weekend Warrior FK1900 which has a GVWR of 7,600 pounds.

check the factory decal it usually has the GCWR and GVWR
the difference between the two indicates the tow rating
The factory will match the hitch to their weight ratings

example my GVWR is 34600 and my GCWR is 49600 = 15000lb tow capacity and I have a curt 15000 K factory installed

Maybe someone with that vintage Dip will chime in. My educated guess is it will have 10K hitch on it. There should be a sticker on the hitch with it's rating. If you were out West I'd say it would not be a speed demon.

You will need to get in the habit of looking up that spec with each unit you look at. I believe you can still go online and look at brochure archives. DP's are rated to tow anywhere from 5000 lbs for entry level up to 15,000 lbs. Someone that knows the Monaco line will probably know exactly what the rating is for the one you mention.

Monaco literature archive shows 2003 and 2005 Diplomat. Here is the link for the 2003 it shows a 10,000 receiver. Link

Sorry, really no universal guide. Way too many variables. The least strong component determines the towing capacity. So the limiting factor may be chassis related or coach builder related.

Best advice is to VERIFY per the coach maker for any one on your short list.

And, their answer will always be the maximum-- as they have no way of knowing how it will be loaded. So GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating) minus Actual Coach Weight is also important.

Yes, there ARE coaches rated for 10,000 pounds.