I saw this guy pulling out of a dog show recently. Not a real good shot of the motorhome, but it's a Winnebago Vectra (don't know the year.)
A quick check of the current model specs shows that it's a DP with a GVWR of 34,320, and a rear axle max weight of 20,000 lbs. The GCWR is 44,320, so I guess that gives you the basic ability to tow 10,000 lbs. I don't think his towed load is over that limit, but... With that golf cart cantelevered on the back of the rig like that, how can it possibly be within the weight ratings of the rear axle? That much weight, hanging that far back... well, it just doen't look right to me. I didn't see how much equipment he had loaded onto his rig, but he did have several dogs (two of them Great Danes) and that usually means a fair amount of collateral equipment.
Any comments from the weight police?
And does having that cart so close to the rear radiator affect engine cooling?
I never got close enough to see any details on the toad, so I have no idea about safety cables, braking system, break-away, or anything like that.
(I wasn't sure where to post this. I suppose it could be dinghy towing, but I don't see the dinghy being the main concern, other than the length of the tow bar extension. It's not really towing, so it doesn't belong there. There isn't a weight police forum, and it's a class A, so I put it here.)
2007 Holiday Rambler Endeavor 40PDQ 400 ISL Cummins/Allison
2002 Chevy Avalanche toad
Inside: Him, Her, and a pack of little furballs...
If the hitch is rated at 10K, it likely has a 1K tongue weight rating. If the golf cart weighs less than, say 750# (which it likely does), then there should not be a problem. I'm saying 750# since the center of gravity of the cart plus the lift is behind where the "ball" would be, and thus increases the actual tongue weight.
There is a "math" section on (at least one of )the websites that sells the lifts which helps potential buyers determine the 'safety' of their propsed set-up.
The Vectra also may have a side radiator.
* This post was
edited 07/11/08 10:28am by RogerNCindy *
If that one bothers you, wait until you see the guys towing a jeep with a 20 foot bass boat behind that. I have seen that setup more than once. If it doesn't bother the Highway Patrols, it doesn't bother me. As for his radiator in that photo, it looks to be a side radiator.
Chuck
02 Travel Supreme, 2 street side slides
02 Jeep Liberty Toad
I don't know anything about weight, but looks like a combo I wouldn't mind having!
I've seen others pulling really long trailers that who knows what's inside...as well as others pulling a toad and a popup, as well as a toad and a boat, so I think people pull all sorts of things...whether they are in line with the recommended weight restriction is another question...well...it's your question, but I can't answer that...sorry!
But some people don't pay much attention to that sort of thing. I remember when we were looking at a 5er that required a truck with more towing ability than most dealers had on their lot...you'd be surprised (or maybe not) how many people "poo poo'd" the weight information to us..."nahhhhhhhhh...you'll be fine..."
It shouldn't be a big problem. The Jeep's towing bar (as are all 4 wheel down towing systems) puts ZERO weight on the hitch itself. The towing bars swing in every direction, so it's a direct pulling force only except in turns, where the force is directed sideways into the bars. Because the toad's front wheels track and follow, even that's not too bad in minor turns.
The only hitch weight would be the golf cart. If it's a gas powered cart, then it wouldn't weigh that much. A battery powered cart would be heavier, but hopefully still within the ratings. It's probably a class V hitch anyway, that is what is on our Safari. That's a 1,500 or 2,000 lb. ball weight and 10,000 lb. pulling rating.
FMCA# F355513. 1997 Safari Continental, 40 foot, 1 slide. Cat 3126B, Allison MD3060. 2000 Durango SLT 4x4 toad with a Blue Ox Aventa II and stopped with a Brake Buddy. Seen on the Road Photo album
Tom N wrote: Side rad. He's more than likely good to go but close to the limits.
He's using his toad as a truck, which IMHO, is not good.
I've seen gasser with a setup like pictured!
-Tom
Tom are you SURE it is a side rad? If it is, can you point me to the page on the Winnie site that supports that opinion. Everything I see there says rear rad.
brobox wrote: As for his radiator in that photo, it looks to be a side radiator.
It's hard to see in this picture, but when I was looking at it directly, it appeared to be the same setup as on my rig: large rear radiator for the engine, small side radiator for the dash air conditioner.
I'm less worried about the hitch rating, but more about the CCC. If it's anything like my rig, there isn't a whole lot of CCC to spare. With that much weight hanging so far off the back, it would appear to me that not only is is loading down the rear axle, but because of that long lever arm it could be taking weight off the front axle, which of course would end up being transferred to the rear axle.
I see it as being the opposite of a weight distribution hitch. With a WD setup, torque is applied to the hitch to take weight off the rear, and transfer it to the front. This platform seems like it would apply the oppposite torque to the hitch, thereby transferring weight in the opposite direction.
So, how much does a golf cart and platform weigh?
I wasn't the only one to notice this rig. I saw several people shake their heads and roll their eyes, point, and make comments as it went by.
I'd be more worried about the hitch for the tow bar. The tube needs to be heavy wall, can't really tell from the picture but it looks like 2" and that isn't heavy enough. If the platform lowers to load the golf cart I would like to see what they used, if it is a linkage with pins and arms, no way. It needs a really strong locking mechanism.
ShapeShifter wrote: I saw this guy pulling out of a dog show recently. Not a real good shot of the motorhome, but it's a Winnebago Vectra (don't know the year.)
A quick check of the current model specs shows that it's a DP with a GVWR of 34,320, and a rear axle max weight of 20,000 lbs. The GCWR is 44,320, so I guess that gives you the basic ability to tow 10,000 lbs. I don't think his towed load is over that limit, but... With that golf cart cantelevered on the back of the rig like that, how can it possibly be within the weight ratings of the rear axle? That much weight, hanging that far back... well, it just doen't look right to me. I didn't see how much equipment he had loaded onto his rig, but he did have several dogs (two of them Great Danes) and that usually means a fair amount of collateral equipment.
Any comments from the weight police?
And does having that cart so close to the rear radiator affect engine cooling?
I never got close enough to see any details on the toad, so I have no idea about safety cables, braking system, break-away, or anything like that.
(I wasn't sure where to post this. I suppose it could be dinghy towing, but I don't see the dinghy being the main concern, other than the length of the tow bar extension. It's not really towing, so it doesn't belong there. There isn't a weight police forum, and it's a class A, so I put it here.)
It MAY or MAY NOT have been overloading his rear axle...we cant see what his actual rear axle weight is?
Affect the rear rad cooling? Have no idea..but if thats the correct pic...he has a SIDE radiator!...
2000 Country Coach Allure; Cummins ISC 330 HP; 71/2 - 8 MPG regardless
2002 Jeep Liberty
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) how many people "poo poo'd" the weight information to us..."nahhhhhhhhh...you'll be fine..." 
It's probably a class V hitch anyway, that is what is on our Safari. That's a 1,500 or 2,000 lb. ball weight and 10,000 lb. pulling rating.
