Anyone towing a Elite / Mobile Suites with a 1 ton

[bigdon68]

We are getting very close to buying a 2016 DRV Elite Suites. The model is the 38 RSSA with a dry weight of 16,300 and a GVWR of 19,000.

It is pretty close to what I am towing now but I understand that DRV's tend to have some heavy pin weight.

Any advice or opinions would be appreciated.

Thanks

bigdon68

[Cummins12V98]

Texas Roadrunner wrote:
Cummins12V98, I am assuming your 23K includes your cargo. What is your average towing speed and mileage? What is your GCVWR?

Front/rear axle TV weights 5,460#/9,580 axle ratings 6,000#/9,750#. Combined load 32,500# rating 37,800#.

Hand Calc good, bad and ugly 9 mpg West Coast. I usually tow at 60 with rpm's at 1,750 in 6th. 23K is loaded RV weight with 5,500# pin.

Just towed from Palm Springs to near Quartzite, AZ in some windy conditions that had many RV/Motorhomes not staying in their lanes. Our ride was very relaxed and controlled.

[Mile_High]

We were just looking at the MS at the RV show - I think it would be pushing it on my F350 DRW - yikes 23,000 lbs. The tires max load would be my greatest concern on a SRW.

I'm at 17220 GVWR (trailer) and 4,300 lbs pin weight and it tows smooth and nice, but in these mountains it is about the limit on this 6.7 DRW with 3.73 gears. If feels like there just isn't any more to give. With a MS, I think I would definitely be looking for the 4.30 gears in the F350 wide track or F450, at the very least, the new higher torque 6.7.

[Texas_Roadrunn1]

Cummins12V98, I am assuming your 23K includes your cargo. What is your average towing speed and mileage? What is your GCVWR?

[Cummins12V98]

missourijan wrote:
Have you found the Suites owners website? If not, post this question to actual owners and they will give you real world answers, www.suitesowners.com The posters here have given you good advice. We have a 2012 Mobile Suite and it weighs 19,400 loaded. I would not tow an Elite with a 1 ton.

Our MS is essentially an Elite weighing in at 23K. I have zero issues towing it with our 15 RAM Dually Aisin 4.10's with factory rear air ride. All within front/rear axle ratings and combined ratings. SAE J2807.

[transamz9]

Op, depending on the specs on the 19.5's you are currently running now I don't see you having a problem. As far as being able to stop it it won't be any different than stopping it wit a drw truck of the same year and model. Just drive to the conditions.

[missourijan]

Have you found the Suites owners website? If not, post this question to actual owners and they will give you real world answers, www.suitesowners.com The posters here have given you good advice. We have a 2012 Mobile Suite and it weighs 19,400 loaded. I would not tow an Elite with a 1 ton.

[tomthyme]

There are not many feelings in the world worse than being in high winds, traffic, or heavy braking conditions with less truck than you need. If anything, overbuy the truck. It will make the journey much more enjoyable.

[Cummins12V98]

"2016 DRV Elite Suites. The model is the 38 RSSA with a dry weight of 16,300 and a GVWR of 19,000."

I really don't think an "ELITE" will weigh that little. Quartz tops? Fiberglass roof? Also I really doubt it will have a 19K GVW, at a minimum 21K.

Just for fun call DRV and ask them if they sell a Elite that they would recomend towing with a SRW.

[NC_Hauler]

Garry&Gayle wrote:
I tow a 2013 Mobile Suites 38RSB3 with a 2015 F350 DRW, fully loaded plus 1/3 tank fresh water and 1/4 tank black, my pin weight scaled out at 4200lbs. The SRW rear tires will be seriously overloaded unless they step up to the 19.5 commercial tires.

Would that then make the OP's weak link his rear axle? I don't know what his trucks RAWR is, but if tires can cover the weight on the rear axle and the rear axle can't....don't think I'd want to put more load on the rear axle then is recommended by the trucks manufacturer just because the tires might be able to cover the weight...If thats the case, more 1/2 tons can tow much heavier...just get higher weight rated tires...I think easiest and safest thing to do is get the right truck to do the job at hand instead of having to do a lot of work to make a lesser truck work.....maybe it will, then again, maybe it won't...I tend to err to the side of safety.

[Cummins12V98]

Don't believe any numbers you read about Mobile or Elite suites!!! There are too many options that greatly effect the"DRY" weight of either. I have many Elite options like Quartz tops and millwork package along with extra cabinets plus a 6500LP Gen. Our 39TKSB3 weighs about 23K and has about 5,500# pin. I don't even have a fiberglass roof. Our last MS was a 36SB3 that ended up weighing almost 20K we pulled with a 11 HO Dually the pin was at least 4,500# I think it was more. People add WAY more weight to these already HEAVY RV's than they think over time.

We just traveled from Desert Hot Springs, CA to Ehrenburg, AZ yesterday with very strong winds. I did not even consider waiting until the wind died down because the truck and RV are VERY stable in adverse conditions. Now I sure can't say the same for many of the other RVer's that were all over the place crossing lines on both sides.

I have seen a few who think it's fine to tow such heavy RV's with SRW 2500's and 3500's but it's NOT safe. I guarantee they are over the weight rating of the rear tires. Even with 19.5's I still would not consider a SRW.

You just don't know when someone will pull in front of you or get hit with a big gust of wind.

After owning two Dually's I would buy this same truck again with a couple minor changes but the truck is extremely solid and the factory rear air ride works great at keeping the truck at the proper towing height.

[RustyJC]

I've owned 2 Mobile Suites - if you want one, you're in 1 ton dually territory.

Rusty

[Garry_Gayle]

I tow a 2013 Mobile Suites 38RSB3 with a 2015 F350 DRW, fully loaded plus 1/3 tank fresh water and 1/4 tank black, my pin weight scaled out at 4200lbs. The SRW rear tires will be seriously overloaded unless they step up to the 19.5 commercial tires.

[dapperdan]

Yeah what NC Hauler said..... If you get into a newer F350 you'd be OK. FWIW we pull our Suites with the '15 RAM 3500 just fine BUT our Suites isn't an Elite either. :B

I'm sure once Cummins12V98 sees this thread he'll him in, he has a heavy Suites and he's pulling it with essentially the same truck as me (he has a 4:10 rear end, mine is 3:73s) and he hasn't had any issues that I'm aware of.

All of the 2013 and newer trucks are vey capable of pulling an Elite Suites. Just my two cents.

Dan

[NC_Hauler]

Goostoff wrote:
There is a couple where I camp all the time that have a huge Mobile Suite and pull it with a 2500 Duramax. Not sure of the weight difference between the Mobile and Elite. I questioned them one time about pulling such a big trailer with a 3/4 ton truck and he claimed it handled it just fine. Who knows he he was being honest or just trying not to look like a fool.

I'd said the same thing, It towed fine, whether I meant it or not.. I've seen people towing heavy with a 3/4 ton before... Heck I did it in 04', but quickly discovered my mistake. It wasn't safe, and I KNEW it... Thus my saying was after that, just because others do it, doesn't make it right, nor does it make it safe.... Live and learn...

Op needs newer Dually to tow size/weight of 5er he is wanting.

[Goostoff]

There is a couple where I camp all the time that have a huge Mobile Suite and pull it with a 2500 Duramax. Not sure of the weight difference between the Mobile and Elite. I questioned them one time about pulling such a big trailer with a 3/4 ton truck and he claimed it handled it just fine. Who knows he he was being honest or just trying not to look like a fool.