susanka wrote:
I've read posts in the forum where folks who are towing at or close to their limit feel it's not safe and have bad experiences. What to do?
That is comparing Apples to Oranges. Your Motorhome is capable of towing a good bit more than 3,500 lbs. The reason it is limited to 3,500 lbs is most likely because of the frame extensions on the rear of the motorhome. If you looked at the GVWR and subtract it from the GCWR (motorhome weight plus towed vehicle weight), most likely you will have a number well above 3,500 lbs. That's the weight your motorhome's drive train and axles can handle. On our motorhome, that is about 7,500 lbs.
The drive train in the motorhome can handle the weight of the toad. However, the frame extensions most likely are not strong enough to hold it. You would be better off taking your motorhome to a welder and have them look at it to see if it can be strengthened. Most likely they can add some steel to beef up the frame extension allowing you to safely tow over 3,500 lbs.
I would leave the seats in and just not put more than 1/4 - 1/2 tank of gas in the CR-V. You never know when you might need the seats. It's a lot easier to put gas in the CR-V when you are out camping. Once you take the seats out, you can't put them back in until you get back or buy new ones.
-Michael
