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What weight toad do you have behind your class c ?

Cloud_9
Explorer
Explorer
We currently flat tow a Pontiac Vibe, curb weight 2960 lbs. DW wants something slightly larger with automatic transmission. We have a 2007class c , with 6.0L V8, 31ft, on Chevy chassis, Fourwinds Chateau. Just wondering what others are towing?

Carl
25 REPLIES 25

klutchdust
Explorer II
Explorer II
gotsmart wrote:
klutchdust wrote:
gotsmart wrote:
I flat tow a smart car with a curb weight of 1,806 lb (US)


Couldn't you just put the car under the bed? 🙂


Curious to know how many use an auxiliary brake system on their toad.

It's juuuust a bit too big to fit under the bed. I do call it my "rolling snot bubble" though. The only time I can feel the car behind me is when I tow it over a campground's speed bumps.



Great photo. Very nice looking rig.

j-d
Explorer II
Explorer II
First toad was a Toyota Tercel that didn't weigh much more than that Smart. We towed it a couple years before getting the BB, and the reason why we got it when we did, was taking a trip from FL to TN. As I recall, a state along the way had a stricter braking requirement than FL. The claim for FL is 3000-lbs GVWR. The Tercel weighed 19-something and its GVW was 29-something. We had an older C on an '83 E350 and it needed supp brakes even with the light Tercel.
If God's Your Co-Pilot Move Over, jd
2003 Jayco Escapade 31A on 2002 Ford E450 V10 4R100 218" WB

gotsmart
Explorer
Explorer
klutchdust wrote:
gotsmart wrote:
I flat tow a smart car with a curb weight of 1,806 lb (US)


Couldn't you just put the car under the bed? 🙂


Curious to know how many use an auxiliary brake system on their toad.

It's juuuust a bit too big to fit under the bed. I do call it my "rolling snot bubble" though. The only time I can feel the car behind me is when I tow it over a campground's speed bumps.

2005 Cruise America 28R (Four Winds 28R) on a 2004 Ford E450 SD 6.8L V10 4R100
2009 smart fortwo Passion with Roadmaster "Falcon 2" towbar & tail light kit - pictures

j-d
Explorer II
Explorer II
We use Brake Buddy. At the time we bought it we had two vehicles set up as toads so it was nice to have a portable brake. Our coach bears a label by the hitch reminding the owner that the chassis brakes are rated at GVWR --NOT-- GCWR so towed vehicle brakes are required.

There are all manner of discussions based on Necessity, Safety, Legality, even Morality. Although I have not heard of RVers being screened strictly for toad brakes (except in British Columbia!), I get a lot of peace of mind with supplemental braking including breakaway capability. I towed our Frontier without the BB a couple times and wished I had it. With the BB, and the big late model front brakes that came with my front axle upgrade, the rig stops very well. Probably not car-like, but way better than I'd expect our combined 18,000-lbs to do.
If God's Your Co-Pilot Move Over, jd
2003 Jayco Escapade 31A on 2002 Ford E450 V10 4R100 218" WB

recce
Explorer
Explorer
I run a 2008 fourwinds 5000 with a 2006 Jeep liberty with automatic behind it works great and follow the jeep manual and you are good to go it is a 4x4 jeep with a manual transfer case and auto trans. that's why you see a lot of the jeeps behind coaches.

Healeyman
Explorer
Explorer
Mazda Miata Retractable Hardtop.

Weight = 2,500#

Tim

klutchdust
Explorer II
Explorer II
gotsmart wrote:
I flat tow a smart car with a curb weight of 1,806 lb (US)


Couldn't you just put the car under the bed? 🙂


Curious to know how many use an auxiliary brake system on their toad.

luvztheoutdoor1
Explorer
Explorer
Chevy Equinox AWD, #4200. I have to check the rear camera to see if it is still there.
Linda
Scout, 10 year old Husky/Shepherd
2011 Jayco Greyhawk 26DS

Mich_F
Explorer
Explorer
moparmaga2 wrote:


2015 and 2014 Ford E450s have a 22000 lb gcwr which makes them capable of towing 7500 lbs.



Ford has been giving the E450 14,500 GVWR and 22,000# GCWR since sometime in the 2011 model year. Most motorhome manufacturers have been downrating the 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

gotsmart
Explorer
Explorer
I flat tow a smart car with a curb weight of 1,806 lb (US)
2005 Cruise America 28R (Four Winds 28R) on a 2004 Ford E450 SD 6.8L V10 4R100
2009 smart fortwo Passion with Roadmaster "Falcon 2" towbar & tail light kit - pictures

moparmaga2
Explorer
Explorer
I tow a 6000 lb Dodge Ram 4x4. Just towed it to California and back and still beat the trucks on every grade which is fast enough for me.

2015 and 2014 Ford E450s have a 22000 lb gcwr which makes them capable of towing 7500 lbs.

Forest River class c's are already coming standard with a 7500 lb hitch and tow rating to reflect these new numbers.

Expect other manufacturers to follow suit quickly. A 7500 lb tow rating is more than most low to medium end diesel pushers, a great selling point.
Click here for the ford specs that state a 7500 lb tow rating.
2015 Jayco Greyhawk 31DS
2013 Ram 1500 Laramie Hemi
2008 Yamaha FJR Sport Touring Bike in the bed of the truck

Oldme
Explorer
Explorer
2005 Honda CRV automatic on an ACME EZ Tow dolly.
Vehicle: 3318 lbs Dolly: 400 lbs

We do not even know it is there behind
a 2000 23' Class C on E450 chassis.

Mich_F
Explorer
Explorer
RedJeep wrote:
We used to tow an approx 3300 pound cj5 with a 1986 Tioga. It was slow with or without the toad. But reliably delivered 5mpg.

Also, I'm considering switching to a 2008+ 31' C with a 2006 model style Ford Explorer at approx 5000 pounds.

Anyone have experience with this sort of weight as a toad?


Just looking at the numbers for a 2008 or so 31'C, it's probably rated to tow about 5,000# if it's on a Ford, or about 3,500# if it's on a Chevrolet chassis. Unfortunately many class Cs with that length, are near or over their GVWR. For 2007 it's 14.050# for both Ford and Chevrolet, with Ford having a 20,000# GCWR, while Chevrolet has a 17,600# GCWR (according to Itasca's specs for 2008 class C MHs). Being close to or over the GVWR would affect how much it's rated to tow without exceeding the GCWR. That's not to say it wouldn't/couldn't do it, but you would be near, at, or over the ratings.
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

RedJeep
Explorer
Explorer
We used to tow an approx 3300 pound cj5 with a 1986 Tioga. It was slow with or without the toad. But reliably delivered 5mpg.

Also, I'm considering switching to a 2008+ 31' C with a 2006 model style Ford Explorer at approx 5000 pounds.

Anyone have experience with this sort of weight as a toad?
2008 Georgetown DS350 Class A
Wife, kids, dog and cat