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T18skyguy's avatar
T18skyguy
Explorer
Apr 17, 2018

How many tow a 4000 pound dingy behind a class c with V 10

I have a 2011 Lincoln MKZ hybrid that can be flat towed behind my 2017 Jayco 31FS. The issue for me is should I ? The rig is not far off gross at 14,500, the MKZ is about 3800 pounds. The GCWR is 22,000 pounds, but I'm hung up thinking that I should get something lighter, even though the numbers fit. I'm worried about the extra stress on the transmission. Perhaps you guys could give me a talking too that's it's OK. I've been eyeing up 2300 pound cars thinking that would be better, but maybe I'm just trying to baby it too much. Thanks in advance.

23 Replies

  • Don't see an issue with what you are planning. Make sure the hitch and tow systems are rated appropriately.
    We dingy-tow a '14 Cadillac SRX (~4000lbs) behind our rig with no problems, and we are closer to GCWR than you. It's a class A with the V10, but shouldn't matter.
    What chassis is your rig on?
  • j-d's avatar
    j-d
    Explorer II
    valhalla360 wrote:
    Check all the ratings (not just GCWR) but if the 14,500 is the fully loaded weight that puts you at around 18,400 GCW pulling the mkz you well under the 22,000 GCWR.

    On the surface, I'm not seeing where there should be any issue.


    I don't see an issue either. But needless to say, the lighter the better, whether in what we pack inside or tow behind. We've had four toads in two pairs over the years. First was Toyota Tercel about 2200, Mitsubishi pickup about 2500. Traded for second pair which is Corolla about 2800, Nissan Frontier pickup around 3800. We could feel the weight differences in climbing grades and in stopping. When we got the Frontier, the plan was to use it as toad, didn't set the Corolla up with base plate etc. When we decided to try the Corolla we could tell at once that the 1000 pound savings made enough difference to make the equipping effort worthwhile. Now we don't take the Frontier unless we specifically need to have the truck.
  • Check all the ratings (not just GCWR) but if the 14,500 is the fully loaded weight that puts you at around 18,400 GCW pulling the mkz you well under the 22,000 GCWR.

    On the surface, I'm not seeing where there should be any issue.

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