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Which is better for towing a trailer Class A or C motorhome

Taco
Explorer
Explorer
I am planning on selling the pickup truck and living quarters cargo trailer and going the motorhome route.

In addition to normal camping I very often have my offroad toys with me which will be carried on an open trailer and will be somewhere around a 5000 lb load.

Which does a better job of towing a trailer a Class A or Class C motorhome.
6 REPLIES 6

wintersun
Explorer II
Explorer II
Think also about the total length of the two rigs and this is a factor when merging, passing, and pulling into a gas station or a campsite. A 5,000 lb. trailer load is not a big deal. Most Class C are built on a 450 or 550 frame that is plenty strong enough with the right hitch.

With a Class A I would need to tow a smaller vehicle and a trailer with whatever else. With the Class C I could get buy without the second vehicle in tow.

Deb_and_Ed_M
Explorer II
Explorer II
Don't forget the Super C's! Plenty of towing capacity and power 🙂
Ed, Deb, and 2 dogs
Looking for a small Class C!

ncrowley
Explorer II
Explorer II
In general, a Class A will do better pulling a trailer but there are a lot of variables. How much can the RV tow? How good is the hitch? How long is the wheel base? A shorter wheel base will cause the RV to move when the trailer is pushed sideways. A longer wheel base will be more stable.
Nancy
Newmar Northern Star

SuzzeeeQ2012
Explorer
Explorer
we had a class C while towing our 24' cargo trailer, and our Class A beats the heck out of it. A diesel pusher....niiiice 🙂
1997 HR Endeavor Turbo Diesel

PastorCharlie
Explorer
Explorer
I see mostly class A towing cargo trailers with any significant size on the highways. Class A will usually have a heaver and more stable chassis...get one with 22.5 wheels will make a very significant difference.

mowermech
Explorer
Explorer
Either will tow a trailer up to the limits of their rating without much trouble.
Quite often a Class C will have a hitch rating of 3500 lbs. This rating MAY be increased by strengthening the frame extensions and the hitch, IF you can find a shop that does such work on a regular basis for trucks. There are such shops out there. The limits based on engine power and/or transmission life are much more difficult to change, but it can be done.
Class A motorhomes typically (but not always) have a hitch capacity of 5000 lbs. This, too, can be changed by reinforcing where needed.
Many Diesel Pusher motorhomes have a hitch capacity of 10,000 lbs.
It is very likely you will have to install a brake controller in the motorhome. Not many people tow trailers with them, so a brake controller isn't often installed. Of course, you could get a trailer with surge brakes which would take care of the problem.
CM1, USN (RET)
2017 Jayco TT
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