Pace Arrow Towing

mattdenryter wrote:
Hello everyone,
I am currently looking at buying a 2003 Pace arrow 37A. It is equipped with the 8.1 L workhorse engine. It has a 5000 lbs trailer hitch with 500 lb tongue weight limit. My question is I would like to tow my boat behind the motorhome. The boat is 4700lb dry, so with some equipment in it, it is right at 5000lbs with tongue weight of 500 lbs. Is it safe to tow right at the hitches maximum or should I look for a different coach. I am not looking to set any land speed records just want to travel safely.
Thanks everyone in advance for your advice

the hitch weight rating is not the only factor. the maximum amount of weight you can safely tow will be the lesser of the following:

- the GCWR (gross-combination weight rating) minus the actual weight of the MH as it is loaded for travel (food, fuel, water, LP, clothing, supplies, pets, people and misc. stuff); OR

- the weight rating of the MH hitch (Class II 3500-lbs, Class III 5000-lbs, Class IV 10,000-lbs); OR

- the weight rating of your towbar

your hitch has a 5K rating. what about your towbar? have you weighed the MH after it has been loaded for travel?

load up the MH as you would for travel and then get individual axle weights at a certified scale. compare those axle weights to the published gross axle weight rating (GAWR) for that motorhome. the actual axle weight must be less than/equal to the rating for that axle. add the two axle weights to arrive at the total rolling weight and then apply the three conditions above. assume nothing.