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Open Roads Forum  >  Class A Motorhomes

 > Tow capacity

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nuthinfancy1

USA

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Posted: 10/06/08 05:18pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I'm probably not in the right area but none of the others seem to apply sooo-
I am purchasing a 2004 39' Winnibago Chieftain. The owner told me it has a tow capacity of 5000. Does that sound right? I know he has a Blue Ox on it and am wondering if that is the capacity of the Blue Ox. I'd like to be able to tow my rockcrawlin Jeep on the 19' trailer that I currently use.The trailer does have electric brakes.

I know I should wait until I get all the paperwork on the MH but I pass papers on my house the 27th, take possesion of the MH on the 28th and head to NC -where I have a job waiting-ASAP

Thanks for any enlightenment

fourfurz

Memphis

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Posted: 10/06/08 05:25pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I suggest calling back the owner and get all the weight specs for the coach. I'm sure he would be glad to help you.

The Blue Ox is not part of the coach, it's an add-on for flat towing a car. If you're going to be using a trailer, then you'll be connecting it with the standard hitch directly, no Blue Ox required.


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427435

Rochester, Mn

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Posted: 10/06/08 05:43pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

If you go to the Winnebago web site and look around a bit, you'll fine that they have the specs and literature of their older models on it. You should be able to get the info you want from there.

I do think that it is likely 5000 lbs----at least my older Itasca is.


Mark
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Deen

Vancouver, WA

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Posted: 10/06/08 06:06pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

427435 wrote:

If you go to the Winnebago web site and look around a bit, you'll fine that they have the specs and literature of their older models on it. You should be able to get the info you want from there.

I do think that it is likely 5000 lbs----at least my older Itasca is.
It could even be as low as 3,500#'s. Our DSDP is 6,000#'s but that's the llimitation of the hitch, Spartan says the real limit is 10,000#'s with only a hitch change. We usually tow the Ody on the dolly and the Ody is loaded for shows so I suspect we're really close to the 6,000# limit. Ody bare is 4,400, dolly is 600#'s+ and then the show inventory.


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69RoadRunner

VA

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Posted: 10/06/08 07:23pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

What is the capacity of the hitch?

What is the GVWR and GCVWR of the MH?

What is the typical loaded weight of the MH?

How much does the loaded trailer weigh?


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SteveRankin

Sequim, WA

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Posted: 10/06/08 08:28pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

According to the data on the RV Consumer's Group CD, the Chieftain has a towing capacity of 4,000#.

The other issue is tongue weight, as MH's in general don't handle tongue weight well and long gassers are especially prone to problems with tongue weight because of the length of chassis behind the rear axle. A 500# tongue weight is typical for many DPs, so this is probably a deal killer IMHO. If the Jeep weighs 4000# & the trailer weighs 2000#, the TW will be 720-900# (12-15% of trailer weight).


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Bumpyroad

Virginia

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Posted: 10/07/08 06:03am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

which blueox tow bar do you have? my Aventa II has a 10,000 lb. capacity.
bumpy





1995brave

San Antonio, TX

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Posted: 10/07/08 06:15am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

According to Winne specs (here) you have a 5,000 lb hitch.

nuthinfancy1

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Posted: 10/07/08 08:47am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Thanks folks for confirming my fears
I guess I'll have to use the BlueOx and keep my AAA gold card
or
Find a diesel
75k sound like a good deal for the 04 Chieftain with 10,0000 miles and loaded with all options?
Comparable diesel? Over 100k?

Clay L

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

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Posted: 10/07/08 08:50am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

You may not be able to tow something as heavy as the hitch rating allows.
You are not supposed to exceed the GCWR (gross combined weight rating). That is the weight of the motor home plus the weight of what you want to tow.

Look HERE for a lot of info on motor home weight ratings.


Clay (WA5NMR), Lee,(Wife) Codi, Brandi (Shelties) and Damncat (damn cat)

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