Limitations to gas Class A

you certainly have been misinformed. many of us tow toads behind gas motorhomes. "stranded", don't understand that comment. my first big trip out west coming east towards the eisenhower tunnel I did unhook the toad and we drove up the mountain separately. found out that was certainly not necessary. just get in the right lane, pass the semis, and you will be OK.
bumpy

We have a 2011 Newmar Canyon Star on a Workhorse W22 chassis, 8.1L gas engine. We've traveled throughout the west towing a 2007 Saturn Vue. Never had a problem going up (or down) steep grades in the Rockies, although we wouldn't win any speed contests. I believe a Ford V-10 would give similar performance. For us, the gasser has been ideal--much lower initial cost, cheaper (and easier, if you do your own) maintenance. If I were full-timing, I might consider a diesel, given it's higher Cargo Carrying Capacity. Go for the gasser!

I've never had any problems in the mountains and have passed many DP's on the way to the top. Anyone that says that the current crop of gas powered motor homes cannot navigate the mountain passes is either lying or ignorant of the facts. Perhaps it is a salesman trying to get you to spend more money for a DP when a gas coach will serve your needs just fine.
If you find a floor plan that will suit your needs, do not worry about mountain travel. They will all make it to the top and down the other side safely.

rgatijnet1 wrote:
I've never had any problems in the mountains and have passed many DP's on the way to the top. Anyone that says that the current crop of gas powered motor homes cannot navigate the mountain passes is either lying or ignorant of the facts. Perhaps it is a salesman trying to get you to spend more money for a DP when a gas coach will serve your needs just fine.
If you find a floor plan that will suit your needs, do not worry about mountain travel. They will all make it to the top and down the other side safely.

^^^^^truth^^^^^

WE have done Chicago to Yuma AZ and many many grades out west. Their has been two places in nine years that slowed us down but made it with no problems. First place was because the brakes over heated and the second we slowed to about 15 miles an hour. Both places they told us we shouldn't be there with the MH. (0 degree turns at 5 moh and 50 degree up hill. Gasser are not a problem

As a DP owner I will tell you I have a lot of friends who pull a toad with a gasser without problems.

If you plan to tow 10K lbs or more, then you might want to consider a DP...otherwise, the gasser will be just fine. Your main limiting factor for towing on the majority of Class A coaches is going to be the capacity of the hitch that's installed. And that can easily be changed.

And honestly, does it matter how fast you get to the top of the hill as long as you get there? Like someone above said, find a floor plan you like and go for it!!! Good Luck!!

**EDIT** - Oh, and you won't be able to brag to everyone about how much money you spent on your coach... LOL! J/K with you diesel guys...I'm just jealous...... :B

Totally incorrect, towed with my V10 Ford gasser for years before we went diesel. Had over 22,000 miles on it from north to south and east to west

I drive a Class A (or rather did and will again soon) drove it over 9 years before the engine blew but that was not an overload issue, fairly flat ground, light weight towed Well under Max CGVW. Lost oil and bad things happened. (I do suspect physical damage to the engine caused the loss, went through over a gallon in less than 300 miles, no evidence of burning oil).

I have driven Detroit to las Vegas (And beyond) twice crossing the continental divide and I have driven in the East both Blue Ridge and Smokey Mountains, Most of those towing a 4,000 pound Chevy Lumina APV.

The only problem I had in all that time was the towed.. it died of old age (200,000 miles) and I junked it. New towed is 2500 pounds of NEON.

So you can tow with them.. Just be aware you have two tow limits and you pick the lower of the two

1: Difference between MAX Combined Gross Vehicle Weight and actual Gross Vehicle Weight of the Motor home as loaded for travel.

2: Hitch Rating (Usually 5,000 pounds), NOTE that if you need to use a drop/rise hitch to get your hitch points to line up (Tow bars need to be more or less flat/Level) you DE-RATE that hitch big time. My 4,000 pound Lumina was too much for the hitch it had to be re-built and re-designed for the job.

The 2,500 Neon works much better.

As for Stranded. I am an Extra Class Ham Radio operator, I have 1 Cell phone, 2 (Plus one) CB's (The plus one is a hand held with no batteries) A Kenwood TS-2000 (All band/mode ham rig) another Kenwood (VHF/UHF FM) and some hand held Icom and Yesau ham rigs, one of which actually works. (One needs a minor repair wnen I get the old round tuit) Not much chance I can not yell for help.

Make sure whoever told you all the lies has nothing to do with your purchase. If it was at a dealership please do not buy from them as they are already fibbing