Class C for Towing Car hauler Trailer

[GeeJay]

We are planning to purchase a collector sports car which will be our daily driver on the road. As it appears there are no half ton towable TT toy haulers with adequate garage space, it seems we will have to swap our 2013 Sierra CrewCab and Ever-Lite 25 ft TT for a Class C MH and enclosed car hauler trailer.

We have some very specific criteria for a Class C and searching the net RV classifieds to find which makes and models will be suitable will be an extensive and tedious task. So....we will appreciate recommendations of any makes & models that will meet, or be close to meeting, these criteria:
• 24 -28 ft LOA Shorter is Better
• Chevy Chassis w/ 8.1L V8 (Understood 2010 was last year for this engine)
• Minimum 2500# Net Cargo Carrying Capacity (NCCC) (with full tanks)
• Capable of towing a 3000# enclosed 18' - 20' Car hauler with a 2500# sports car for Total Max load of 6000# when loaded to NCCC for extended touring.
• Accommodations to include, but not necessarily limited to:
o Booth Dinette with storage under seats
o Full Galley w/
- Double door Frig
- Stove with 22" Oven
- Reasonable counter space,(incl sink covers), for food prep
- Adequate cabinets for cookware , dining ware and food
- Stainless (preferred) double sink with pull out sprayer faucet.
o Bathroom with space for cat's enclosed litter box
o Freestanding 60 x 80 Queen Bed w/ access from both sides
o Wardrobes with capacity for clothing for 1 month touring
• Commodious basement storage

If you are aware of any models that will suit our needs, that will be most helpful. If you have suggestions for other criteria we should consider, by all means offer them.

Thnx

GJ

[Snowman9000]

I know that you can get a 7500 lb hitch on Sunseekers, but only on the Fords, I think. We have a 25' Chevy 4500 on which the numbers suggest we could tow a big load, but our hitch is only 5000. The 6.0L and 6 speed seems pretty stout to me.

[carringb]

The 8.1L was only available in 2001-2002 for the Express Chassis. At that time 12,500 GVWR was the top offering. You really need to go with the Ford V10 for what you want to pull.

[Beverley_Ken]

On what ever model you look at (Chev or Ford E450), check the towing capacity from the Motorhome manufacturer, not just the chassis rating.
Most c-class MH will have chassis extensions, between the axles and behind the rear axle reducing the towing capacity. Ford rates ours at 500/5000lb towing, but Winnebago have reduced that too 350lb tongue weight and 5000lb towing, even with the 500/5000 rated hitch. I've seen others with a 35/3500 rating.
It may be possible to beef up the rear frame for more towing, but also be aware that some have long tail ends, ours is well above 8 feet from the axle to hitch/bumper.


Beverley and Ken

[rjstractor]

Good luck finding an Express chassis with the 8.1, they are pretty rare. I take it you're not a Ford guy, but an E450 based smaller C with the right hitch would easily handle that trailer. A 6.0 Express chassis would pull it, but IIRC most of the smaller Express chassis Cs are 3500 series, and would likely not meet either your payload or GCWR needs.

[Explorer1016]

One more comment, Featherlight absolutely makes a toy hauler that will give you adequate garage space. I looked at one at a local Featherlite Dealer here in Missouri. They are expensive though but build exceptionally well.

[Explorer1016]

GeeJay, My rig is a little over kill for your needs but we have a 2008 Ford F550 with a Host camper built on it. It is 30' bumper to bumper which gives us 18' of interior floor space and a cabover bedroom. It has 10,000# tow capacity which is what I need to tow my enclosed car hauler. It looks like your towing numbers might be a bit low since my trailer alone empty is 3500# plus my Jeep crawler at 4500# plus tools, gear etc. I am closer to 9000# tow load behind my Super C. I agree with you about the Chevy platform. i am not a Ford guy but Government Motors Corp *(GM) (morning humor) stopped making medium and heavy duty trucks and chassis. They still build the 4500 which is every bit as good and durable as the F450 and F550 in my opinion.

Fleetwood makes or made a very nice Tioga that would fit your needs. That might be a good starting point. Good luck with your search