cancel
Showing results forย 
Search instead forย 
Did you mean:ย 

Towing with a class c?

kennyd63
Explorer
Explorer
Hello there-

My wife seen a class C towing a TT. Is this is legal as long as you have a CDL? or is not allowed?

Thank you, in advance

Kennedy>>>
2019 Braxton Creek 24RLS
2010 Forest River Salem 403FB-Destination Trailer
2014 F150 4X4 Crew Cab
14 REPLIES 14

Mich_F
Explorer
Explorer
I doubt the W/D hitch is advisable for a C or any vehicle with a frame extension. That extension is the weak point, and the main reason, I believe, for C manufacturers downgrading, in some cases by a lot, the GCWR of the vehicle. Perhaps it would work as intended, but it naturally depends on how well the MH manufacturer has added on that extension. It would be nice if they could get the vehicle manufacturers to put out these vehicles with longer frames and eliminate the need for extensions.
I have a 97 24' Coachmen that had a 3,500# hitch when I bought it. I pulled that off and had a local metal fabrication shop build a custom hitch that ties into the main frame. As far as I'm concerned, that vehicle can tow up to it's GCWR.
2014 Itasca Spirit 31K Class C
2016 Mazda CX5 on Acme tow dolly- 4 trips ~ 5,800 mi
Now 2017 RWD F150 with a drive shaft disconnect

j-d
Explorer II
Explorer II
Is a Weight Distrubuting Hitch OK with the C's Frame Extensions? It reduces Tongue Weight on the Hitch Ball and Rear Axle but it jacks that weight to the Front Axle via Frame and Extensions.
I can picture where a C/TT combo might drive pretty well. Most of us have plenty of front axle capacity for the WD hitch, may actually be running Front Light, and the TT's Sway Control could help with, well, Sway.
If God's Your Co-Pilot Move Over, jd
2003 Jayco Escapade 31A on 2002 Ford E450 V10 4R100 218" WB

Dakzuki
Explorer
Explorer
Wikid86 wrote:
Road Princess wrote:
I have to assume that the travel trailer's umbilical will be plugged into the receiver on the back of the class C. You will need those trailer brakes to fire off when stopping such a combination.


True. I recommend brakes over 2500 lbs. Texas law requires 4500 lbs plus. My particular TT I towed behind the Class C is 4400, but I still use brakes, weight distribution, and sway control.

Better safe than sorry!!!

http://law.onecle.com/texas/transportation/547.401.00.html


In my state it's 3000 lbs. I tow a smallish utility trailer behind the RV without brakes but I have supplemental braking for the toad when I tow it. It is just under 3000 lbs but I'd rather be safe.
2011 Itasca Navion 24J
2000 Chev Tracker Toad

Wikid86
Explorer
Explorer
Road Princess wrote:
I have to assume that the travel trailer's umbilical will be plugged into the receiver on the back of the class C. You will need those trailer brakes to fire off when stopping such a combination.


True. I recommend brakes over 2500 lbs. Texas law requires 4500 lbs plus. My particular TT I towed behind the Class C is 4400, but I still use brakes, weight distribution, and sway control.

Better safe than sorry!!!

http://law.onecle.com/texas/transportation/547.401.00.html
2008 Holiday Rambler Atlantis SE 128 (class C)
2012 Dutchman Sport Travel Trailer
2006 Custom Built Tear Drop Camper
2005 Rockwood Popup Tent camper
Yes, I'm not RV poor by any means...

Road_Princess
Explorer
Explorer
I have to assume that the travel trailer's umbilical will be plugged into the receiver on the back of the class C. You will need those trailer brakes to fire off when stopping such a combination.
Janet
Way-the-heck-south Texas

Dakzuki
Explorer
Explorer
RetSgt7114 wrote:
kennyd63 wrote:
Hello there-

My wife seen a class C towing a TT. Is this is legal as long as you have a CDL? or is not allowed?

Thank you, in advance

Kennedy>>>


As stated, as long as you do not exceed the length restrictions (usually 65 feet) or go over the GCWR, you should be good to go.


...and remember the tongue weight counts as weight in the RV.
2011 Itasca Navion 24J
2000 Chev Tracker Toad

crasster
Explorer II
Explorer II
Sure, but I'm not towing much with my 4 cylinder Toyota class C. LOL

It is legal ^^ as above posts have stated.
4 whopping cylinders on Toyota RV's. Talk about great getting good MPG. Also I have a very light foot on the pedal. I followed some MPG advice on Livingpress.com and I now get 22 MPG! Not bad for a home on wheels.

RetSgt7114
Explorer
Explorer
kennyd63 wrote:
Hello there-

My wife seen a class C towing a TT. Is this is legal as long as you have a CDL? or is not allowed?

Thank you, in advance

Kennedy>>>


As stated, as long as you do not exceed the length restrictions (usually 65 feet) or go over the GCWR, you should be good to go.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Gulfstream Yellowstone
USAF Veteran
US Army Veteran
Retired LEO 34 years

ksg5000
Explorer
Explorer
Just make sure your Class C has the weight capacity - I have a 29' E350 which is pretty much maxed out coming off the dealer lot.
Kevin

RobertRyan
Explorer
Explorer
In Europe you have quite a few Vans and Class C's pulling Caravans

Here it is small or medium sized SUV's. Class C Motorhome towing a small CUV.

tatest
Explorer II
Explorer II
It is legal if the combination does not exceed the size limits for the place it is being driven. One piece is a truck, another is a trailer. There are well known size limits for trunk highways, varying state by state. There are lesser limits for specific streets and roads, in states where localities have authority to set limits.

For road legality, doesn't matter whether or not you can live in the vehicles.

Whether or not you need a CDL depends on what you are doing with the vehicles, not what kind of vehicles they are or how you combine them. RVs are presumed in most states to be private, non-commercial vehicles. Some states require you to get a different class of non-commercial license for assorted weight and length combinations. In most states, this is much larger than a typical class C, or the TT a class C would be rated to tow.
Tom Test
Itasca Spirit 29B

Wikid86
Explorer
Explorer
I just towed my 28 ft travel trailer with my Class C. It's not something I do on a normal basis. Luckily the TT weighs 4400 lbs. class C max tow weight is 5000 lbs.
Texas Law
Vehicle Combinations
Texas Transportation Code 621.205.

A combination of not more than three vehicles, may be coupled together if the combination of vehicles, other than a truck-tractor combination, is not longer than 65 feet.
A passenger car or another motor vehicle that has an unloaded weight of less than 2,500 pounds may not be coupled with more than one other vehicle or towing device at one time.
A house trailer or towable recreational vehicle and motor vehicle combination may not be longer than 65 feet.

2008 Holiday Rambler Atlantis SE 128 (class C)
2012 Dutchman Sport Travel Trailer
2006 Custom Built Tear Drop Camper
2005 Rockwood Popup Tent camper
Yes, I'm not RV poor by any means...

kalynzoo
Explorer
Explorer
In Calif you can have a total length of 65ft with a regular drivers license.

enblethen
Nomad
Nomad
In most states, this combnation should not be a problem. Only thing that may effect legality would be the overall length.

Bud
USAF Retired
Pace Arrow


2003 Chev Ice Road Tracker