Forum Discussion

mattdenryter's avatar
mattdenryter
Explorer
Jan 21, 2014

Pace Arrow Towing

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
  • nope, not a hitch issue. If the motorhomes manufacturer certified it to tow 5k (check the GCVR) then it will tow 5k.

    If they didn't, installing God's trailer hitch would not change that rating.
  • Call the people that make the hitch. I'm sure they can tell you.. :)
  • This is just me - when it comes to safety, I like some wiggle room. And what you propose does not offer any wiggle room.
  • 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.
  • JoeH's avatar
    JoeH
    Explorer III
    1BryNelson wrote:
    I am a firm believer that there is "some" fudge room in the max limits, but I wouldn't exceed a 10% plus and realize you will be stressing MoHo a bit.


    I agree.... We had a Pace Arrow 37B and towed a Ford Ranger with a
    Harley in the back. The Ranger, per the manufactures specs was supposed to weight 3700, the Harley is right at 1000 and the lift/ramp to load it is 300 which is right at the limit. I towed like that for a couple of years without incident. I had an opportunity to weigh the Ranger at a certified scale, and empty if was 4300 so all along I was " overweight" but had no issues.
    Of course, I was towing 4 down, so there is essentially no tongue weight, just the pulling weight.
  • I am a firm believer that there is "some" fudge room in the max limits, but I wouldn't exceed a 10% plus and realize you will be stressing MoHo a bit.