How much can a class A tow?

[beemerphile1]

I am rather ignorant when it comes to a class A because I've always had trailers.

Is there a chart, graph, or article that would guide me on how much the different class A MHs can tow?

I am looking at a 2004 Monaco Diplomat (M-38PBDD) with the 330hp Cummins. I'm wondering if it can regularly tow our 2006 Weekend Warrior FK1900 which has a GVWR of 7,600 pounds.

[donfrump]

msturtz wrote:

donfrump wrote:

msturtz wrote:
As other posters have said the GCWR - GWWR is a place to start. It isn't the end of the story. It can depend on how you load your coach. My coach has a 10k rating but I can only use it if I don't fully load my coach to max GVWR.

The way I understand things is the actual vehicle loaded condition is all included in the **GVWR** The **GCWR** is only for determening whats added to the rear to tow

In other words you can load the vehicle till it weighs 34600(my case)
and then I can still pull 15000 lbs max less the tongue weight

This is true for "higher end" DP units, however on many lower end DP units they make compromises that reduce the difference between the GCWR and the GVWR. On my unit the GVWR is 26,000# with a 17,500 rear axle weight rating and a (RAWR) and a front axle weight rating of 10,500 if you total those numbers you get a number of 28,000# which exceeds the GVWR of 26,000# the issue in my coach is the Allison mh2100 which is rated at 26,000 / 30,000 rather than the normal rating from Freightliner of 28,000 / 33,000. It still has a 10k tow rating but you can't load it to max GVWR and still tow at the max tow rating.

yes exactly why I said GCWR minus GVWR = max towable weight
yours would have to have a listed GCWR of 36000lbs in order to have a tow rating of 10K
In my case the GVAWR are = to my GVWR in your case because you have a weak link perceived by the manufacturer they lowered your GVWR
2000lbs lower than your axle ratings

[msturtz]

donfrump wrote:

msturtz wrote:
As other posters have said the GCWR - GWWR is a place to start. It isn't the end of the story. It can depend on how you load your coach. My coach has a 10k rating but I can only use it if I don't fully load my coach to max GVWR.

The way I understand things is the actual vehicle loaded condition is all included in the **GVWR** The **GCWR** is only for determening whats added to the rear to tow

In other words you can load the vehicle till it weighs 34600(my case)
and then I can still pull 15000 lbs max less the tongue weight

This is true for "higher end" DP units, however on many lower end DP units they make compromises that reduce the difference between the GCWR and the GVWR. On my unit the GVWR is 26,000# with a 17,500 rear axle weight rating and a (RAWR) and a front axle weight rating of 10,500 if you total those numbers you get a number of 28,000# which exceeds the GVWR of 26,000# the issue in my coach is the Allison mh2100 which is rated at 26,000 / 30,000 rather than the normal rating from Freightliner of 28,000 / 33,000. It still has a 10k tow rating but you can't load it to max GVWR and still tow at the max tow rating.

[donfrump]

as previously posted its simple; GCWR minus the GVWR = max Tow weight allowed by law based on the manufacturer specs. mine is 15000 lbs and its factory equipped with a 15000 lb rated hitch
pretty easy to figure out if the factory chassis spec sheet is still attached
The factory assumes that one does not fudge the GVWR when they set the ratings
So if you were to add more weight to the point the suggested GVWR was violated then yes one would have to deduct that from the combined trailer weight
so GCWR less GVWR is how you calculate the Max tow capability and of course it varys from there if u violate the GVWR (lowers the allowable pulled weight)

[wa8yxm]

Basically no there is no chart that shows what a CLASS A can tow. here is why

For any given class A there are two things (or 3) that determine your tow rating

1: The hitch: MOST gassers the hitch is rated at 5,000 pounds. Most Diesel Pushers 10,000, but that is often NOT your tow limit. that is just your MAXIMUM POSSIBLE tow limit.

And that assumes a straight hookup. if you use a drop or rise hitch adapter to get the tow bars leveled out you need to de-rate the hitch (Sorry can not help you with how much)

So much for the HITCH limit.

Now for the VEHICLE limit.. you have two numbers. ONE is printed on a sticker somewhere in the RV. it is the Maximum Combined Gross Vehic le Weight Rating, (MCGVWR) and for my Gasser it is 26,000 pounds.

The other the factory can not measure. It is the actual Gross Vehicle weight of the motor home (GVR) as measured by a scale when you are loaded as though setting out on a trip. Full fresh water tank, Full fuel tank. empty waste tanks.

the MCGVWR minuse the actuall weight of the RV (GVW) is the other tow limt.

on my gasser that is 4,000 pounds

So the hitch is 5,000 pounds (upgaded so that the drop hitch is ok) but the Vehicle limit is 4,000.. so my tow limit is 4000.. (my towed is 2500 so I'm good).

[beemerphile1]

Thank you all for your input, it has been most helpful. We now have more info to work with.

[discovery4us]

I would be more concerned with tongue weight and distance between MH and WW. The normal TV is narrower than the WW this almost eliminating the chances of contact with each other not the case with a MH that is the same width. Also the distance between axle and hitch point can cause problems.

I wouldn't be too concerned about the weight of the trailer especially with a 10,000 lbs. hitch.

[charlie_good_ti]

I am on my second 1999 coach both having Cummins 8.3 engines.First one ran 2000rpm at 70 mph.Present one is geared different an only runs estimated 1700-1800 rpm at 70mph .My presennt coach weighs 23940 lb with full fuel.It is rated to have a gcwr of 32410 lb.Along with contents an Chrysler van an dolly an perhaps 500lb in the van it has adqueate power .However the first coach pulling the same Chrysler was geared much better for power an it was easy to tell .This might help you decide considering the weight you would be pulling.

[Kayteg1]

Class A can be lot of different vehicles.
Bus conversions have frame that can pull 30,000 lb trailers so the only question would be what is the hitch rating.
Than I did own a ClassA where original 25' frame had added 7' of extension channel for total of 11' of rear overhang.
Even the coach had 5000 rated hitch, I would be afraid to put any tongue weight on it. Manu fact even loading rear compartments had to be done with big care as sides of the coach did show stress marks.

[donfrump]

45Ricochet wrote:
THIS one has a GVWR of 32k lbs with a GCWR of 42K lbs which would give it a 10k max puller.

yes that's correct GCWR= Gross combined weight rating

assuming the hitch is rated for 10K

[45Ricochet]

THIS one has a GVWR of 32k lbs with a GCWR of 42K lbs which would give it a 10k max puller.

[donfrump]

msturtz wrote:
As other posters have said the GCWR - GWWR is a place to start. It isn't the end of the story. It can depend on how you load your coach. My coach has a 10k rating but I can only use it if I don't fully load my coach to max GVWR.

The way I understand things is the actual vehicle loaded condition is all included in the **GVWR** The **GCWR** is only for determening whats added to the rear to tow

In other words you can load the vehicle till it weighs 34600(my case)
and then I can still pull 15000 lbs max less the tongue weight

[msturtz]

As other posters have said the GCWR - GWWR is a place to start. It isn't the end of the story. It can depend on how you load your coach. My coach has a 10k rating but I can only use it if I don't fully load my coach to max GVWR.

[donfrump]

beemerphile1 wrote:
I am rather ignorant when it comes to a class A because I've always had trailers.

Is there a chart, graph, or article that would guide me on how much the different class A MHs can tow?

I am looking at a 2004 Monaco Diplomat (M-38PBDD) with the 330hp Cummins. I'm wondering if it can regularly tow our 2006 Weekend Warrior FK1900 which has a GVWR of 7,600 pounds.

check the factory decal it usually has the GCWR and GVWR
the difference between the two indicates the tow rating
The factory will match the hitch to their weight ratings

example my GVWR is 34600 and my GCWR is 49600 = 15000lb tow capacity and I have a curt 15000 K factory installed

[Ivylog]

Maybe someone with that vintage Dip will chime in. My educated guess is it will have 10K hitch on it. There should be a sticker on the hitch with it's rating. If you were out West I'd say it would not be a speed demon.