susanka wrote:
Hi, everyone. We've narrowed down our choices to a Honda CR-V or a Ford Focus. We like the CR-V best but the weight is right at what can be towed with our 1999 Fleetwood Storm MH. I know DH has calc'd the GVWR, and the CR-V is right at the limit, but I'm worried this will give us a poor experience. I put a lot of pots and pans in the MH. What is a very, very conservative number to put in the calculations as far as the load of stuff in the MH? We're out in the country; no scales around as far as I know, and I don't want to have to load it up with a "pretend" load and ask DH to go weigh it unless I have to.
Thanks, everyone. You've been very helpful.
towing any vehicle does not add to the GVWR. the GVWR is the maximum amount of weight that the MH chassis can support, including itself. The GCWR (gross combination weight rating) is the total amount of weight the MH can propel, including itself. generally speaking, the GCWR minus the GVWR will give you an idea of how much weight the MH is designed to propel. but in reality the maximum amount of weight you can safely tow will be the
lesser of the following:
* the GCWR (gross combination weight rating) of the MH minus the actual weight of the MH as it is loaded for travel (includes fuel, fresh water, food, clothing, people, pets, supplies, etc.)
* the weight rating of your tow bar
* the weight rating of your hitch
this is why it's vital to know what your MH weighs as it is loaded and configure for travel before choosing a toad. Your MH will not collapse if it is overloaded but you will experience handling issues as well as longer braking distances and accelerated wear on suspension, brakes, steering, etc.
IF your MH as loaded for travel is right at the GVWR (more importantly, is each axle less than or equal to it's GAWR?) there's not much you can do except offload some weight, usually from the rear axle.
IF the hitch has a max weight rating of 3500-lbs you're only option will be to use a lighter toad. some folks may tell you to just replace the hitch with one rated at 5000-lbs (Class III) but there is more to it than that. check with a professional about that.
good luck.
