what is best tow equipment?
We are new to motorhome travel. We would like any suggestions on what is the best tow equipment for a regular size car. We have priced one place and they are quite expensive so we want to get what oth...
Forum Discussion
Effy wrote:
What type of car and can you tow 4 down? If not you will need to look at a dolly.
and how much does your car weigh? and how much weight can your MH safely pull?
you need to know just how much weight your MH can safely tow without exceeding the various weight ratings...gross combination weight rating (GCWR), gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and each axle's gross axle weight rating (GAWR). you also need to know the curb weight of the vehicle you're planning to buy and whether that curb weight includes a full tank of gas (sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't).
the maximum amount of weight you can safely tow will be the lesser of the following:
- the GCWR 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
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.
good luck.
