towing jeep

[squirtdog]

I would like to buy a class B that can tow a 4000lb jeep. Does one exist and if so what make,model and is it gas or diesel? Thanks

[CasitaCPA]

bob_nestor wrote:

jjson775 wrote:
IMHO, towing anything with a Class B really destroys the utility and flexibility of a camper van. You won't be able to just pull off the road into a McDonald's, park in the city, etc. A better solution might be to pull a small trailer like a Casita behind the Jeep. You would have the same RV conveniences at much less cost. Good luck.

It really depends on your camping style and what you want to do for activities. Sometimes I tow my Jeep, sometimes my motorcycle, sometimes I just hang my bicycle and sometimes I just take the Class B. And you'd have the same problems getting into and out of McDonald's if you were towing a trailer, even a small one, behind a small vehicle like a Jeep.

BTW, even the smallest Casita is near the max towing capacity of the Jeep Wrangler and that's dry weight. You'd most likely be overloaded when you put your things on board. And the Wrangler can be very squirrely when you're towing things close to its limits.

Have you ever towed with a Jeep Wrangler? I have a 17' Casita that I tow with a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited and don't have any issues. Tows fine, even at 65- 70 mph on the interstate. Just my .02.

[tatest]

Just about any B built on the Chevy Express 3500 with 6.0 V-8, provided it has an adequate hitch bolted to the frame. This combination has a high enough GCWR that there is about 6000 pounds towing capacity left when the van is at maximum loaded weight, which is often the case when you build a house inside the van and load it with your family and traveling stuff. Chevrolet rates "towing capacity" as 10,000 pounds but that is for an empty van.

Not all B manufacturers use the 3500 or opt for the 6.0, as the Express 2500 and 4.8 V-8 usually show slightly better MPG and cost a little bit less.

Some models of the Sprinter van have 5000 pounds towing capacity, others slightly less, so it depends on which van was used to build a particular model of RV. Daimler-Benz usually rates "towing capacity" as excess of GCWR over GVWR, rather than the GCWR over curb weight used for most passenger vehicles and light trucks in the U.S., so that 5000 is real.

[bob_nestor]

jjson775 wrote:
IMHO, towing anything with a Class B really destroys the utility and flexibility of a camper van. You won't be able to just pull off the road into a McDonald's, park in the city, etc. A better solution might be to pull a small trailer like a Casita behind the Jeep. You would have the same RV conveniences at much less cost. Good luck.

It really depends on your camping style and what you want to do for activities. Sometimes I tow my Jeep, sometimes my motorcycle, sometimes I just hang my bicycle and sometimes I just take the Class B. And you'd have the same problems getting into and out of McDonald's if you were towing a trailer, even a small one, behind a small vehicle like a Jeep.

BTW, even the smallest Casita is near the max towing capacity of the Jeep Wrangler and that's dry weight. You'd most likely be overloaded when you put your things on board. And the Wrangler can be very squirrely when you're towing things close to its limits.

[jjson775]

IMHO, towing anything with a Class B really destroys the utility and flexibility of a camper van. You won't be able to just pull off the road into a McDonald's, park in the city, etc. A better solution might be to pull a small trailer like a Casita behind the Jeep. You would have the same RV conveniences at much less cost. Good luck.

[DougE]

My '04 chassis Sprinter is rated for 5000#.

[bob_nestor]

My 2010 Roadtrek 219 Popular has a tow capacity of 5,000 lbs and I two my Jeep Wrangler with it, no problems. Have towed it a number of times into the Rockies and back and this summer all the way to Alaska and back. On the Alaska trip I got an average of about 12 MPG in the RT too!

[mkguitar]

I have a 2006 Pleasure-way Lexor TD on a Chev 3500 chassis ( the chassis is a 2005- which is common with class B's- a chassis a year oldr than the RV...) 6.0L gas

my rated capacity is 5000# w 500# tongue weight.

when I was shopping it seemed that was common rating for this chassis.
I think the Roadtrek 190 models on a Chev 3500 had same rating

If you decide on a class B the big advantages are ease of driving. park anywhere and great mpg- the drawbacks are a high $ per cubic foot of space- a larger RV may actually cost less than a class B!

figure out priorities, ours was bed size- we got the largest we could find, a fore/aft sleeper 72 w x 75L ( a sideways sleeper model will probably top out at 72" long unless a widebody conversion) others who are ok with a smaller bed will have more interior lay out options... I know those who have 72 x 48 and are happy with that- it gves space for a wet bath



Mike

[scrubjaysnest]

You will need to check specific tow capacities as many Class B's are limited to 3500#
Some of the new diesel maybe.