Proper dinghy to tow?

It sort of depends. How much does the MH weigh loaded ready for a trip?
You probably have enough HP, but may not have GCWR.

I would think you have more toad than can be towed with that motorhome. As above check the GCWR and check your tow hitch limits. If it were me I’d find something a little smaller or lighter.

Danpaine wrote:
Hi Everybody. First-time dinghy-tower here, with a dinghy size question.

First off, I'm driving a 2016 Class C Forest River Forester 3171DS, with the E450 Ford chassis, V10. Horsepower, 305 hp @ 4,250 RPM,
Torque, 420 ft-lbs. @ 3,250 RPM.

What I would *like* to tow is my 2016 Nissan Frontier 4x4, that weighs
5815 pounds. Is this truck too big and heavy to tow with my rig? Or
if it is possible, would I be putting undue stress on the rig to tow it up hills, etc? I'm already figuring my gas mileage will take a significant hit.

As I said, this will be the first time towing a vehicle behind my unit. If it's smarter to downgrade the dinghy to a small car, so be it. It's just that I'm nearing the end of my lease with the pickup and am trying to decide whether to turn it in and buy something smaller to tow, or buy the pickup outright and make it my dinghy.

Thanks very much for any input.

the amount of weight you can safely tow will be the lesser of the following:

- the gross combination weight rating of the MH minus the actual weight of the MH as it is loaded and configured for travel

- the weight rating of your hitch

- the weight rating of your tow bar

If I were in your position, I would buy the truck, and get the Ready Brute integrated towbar/braking system.
I Towed a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited with a Tioga Class C with the Ford 460 engine. It worked just fine, even going across the Continental Divide and the High Sierras.
I also towed a Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab Short Box behind the coach in my sig., over the Continental Divide, no problems.
I think you can tow your rig.

Even if the Frontier is within tow limits pulling that will not be fun.

Stunned any Fronty can approach 3-tons! Wow! My 2009 King Cab is listed 3600 but scales 4000. 2WD 4-cyl 5-speed manual.
First, IS yours flat towable? I've looked at this a lot, and conclude that ONLY manuals can be flat towed. 2WD in N, 4WD in 2H and N. Automatics NOT towable and since Transfer Case has no Neutral 4WD is no help over 2WD, which used to almost always be the fix. Better check from Owner Manual, not Salesman, and study the details.
OK, It's 4x4, manual shift, good to go.
Is E450 rated for it? YES. GCWR is 22000, GVWR is 14500 so fully loaded RV can tow 7500.
Is FRAME rated to tow 7500? YES. Chassis Stretchers must comply with a Ford Standard (short name FMVSS) that requires extended to match original specs.
Is HITCH rated to tow 7500? MAYBE, look. Many late model C's on E450 are shipping with a 7500/8000 hitch. You can upgrade.
Will I feel it? HELL YES. Lighter the Easier, Heavier the Harder. You'll feel holdback on acceleration and grades. Probably will no longer pass big rigs on mountain upgrades. Might be with them in that Truck Lane. BUT!!! You CAN unhitch and drive separately for a few hours through hard areas.
Will it damage the E450? NO!!! And I said NO. It's a rugged commercial duty BEAST built to do it. Ford Tough and that's no joke.
Fuel Economy? FORGET that word, just say MPG and you'll be lucky to get into 8 on level ground. Mountains? This is only a guess: 5-6. GAS is still the cheapest part of the RV Experience.
About 7 pulling Fronty but I've seen 8 on long trips. Better MPG in hills with cruise OFF. If I can I run 60-65 off cruise in hills. Cruise at 62.5 on flats.
Driving 55 produced WORSE mpg as does 70.
I also think Fronty de-stabilizes tracking a little, so when eBay had a used base plate for wifes 2006 Corolla, I bagged it. Now we don't take Fronty unless we need him. Just easier.
Finally what are your expectations? V10 sounds like a monster. Zippy in E250. Cram one in a Mustang and it's nearly a Viper. In 20,000 of Class C + Fronty it won't turn any heads. El Bajada from 5000 foot ABQ toward 7000 foot Santa Fe on I-25 Northbound it will be a SLUG. But it won't overheat, it won't burn the transmission out, and you, your family, your motorhome and your Fronty will all be in beautiful high desert ready to stay and play.
Good Luck! Enjoy!

Check your weight. I'm pretty sure a Frontier does not weigh 5,800 pounds. That's maybe the GVWR?

But even then, the E450 is rated for 22,000 pounds with a 7500# hitch receiver, so you'll be fine. A good proportional braking system is recommended (maybe required where you are?).

Towing an HHR (4000 lbs) with the same engine. Have never had any problems, but the higher weight you are considering might make a difference. Just don't try to be a speed demon.

You are lucky if your hitch is 5000 lbs. You need to start with the tow hitch rating. I would bet it is 3500 lbs.

"Chassis Stretchers must comply with a Ford Standard (short name FMVSS) that requires extended to match original specs."
You mean FMVSS means "FORD Motor Vehicle Safety Standards"?
I thought it meant "FEDERAL Motor Vehicle Safety Standards"!
Well, live and learn, I guess