I am interested in buying a 1999 37' single rear axel Pace Arrow. My husband is concered about the weight we tow to our destinations. In the past there were older motorhomes that were the same length that started to buckle the back of the motorhome, does anyone think this is still capable on a single axel 37' motorhome?
Thanks
We have a 37' DP with the "little" 300HP Cummins and do just fine. We flat tow a 5700lb Suburban and I have towed a car hauler and car with a total weight of about 4000lbs without issue. We have a 10k lb hitch but I would think that your RV would be rated for at least 5000lbs.
***Edit to clarify*** We did make sure we were within all of the parameters that were wisely mentioned in the post below.
* This post was
edited 04/23/12 07:33pm by LongWeekends *
Michael
Just me, my wife, our 11 year old daughter and our two big, hairy Goldens.
2004 Coachmen Cross Country
370DS - 300HP - 2 Slides
robinlward wrote: I am interested in buying a 1999 37' single rear axel Pace Arrow. My husband is concered about the weight we tow to our destinations. In the past there were older motorhomes that were the same length that started to buckle the back of the motorhome, does anyone think this is still capable on a single axel 37' motorhome?
Thanks
it all depends on how much weight you want to tow and what your Pace Arrow weighs, by axle, when loaded for travel (fuel, water, food, clothing, pets, people, stuff, etc.) and the weight rating of the hitch. i say by axle because while you should not exceed the MH's gross vehicle weighr rating (gvwr) the simple fact is that some MHs are overweight on one axle and underweight by the same or greater amount on the other. we have personal experience with that.
in general, the maximum amount of weight you can *safely* tow will be the *lesser* of the following:
- the gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of the MH minus the total weight of the MH when it is loaded for travel
- the weight rating of the hitch
- the weight rating of your towbar.
good luck to you.
73,
rich, n9dko www.bananaboatbytes.com
I know a guy who's addicted to brake fulid. He says he can stop anytime.
_________________________________
2000 Itasca Suncruiser 35U
'46 Willys CJ2A
'03 Jeep Wrangler TJ
'10 Jeep Liberty KK
What is the GVWR of the Pace Arrow that you are looking at? IT is higher than the 1997 or older models, because 1999 was the first year Ford came out with the 19.5" rims on the F-53 chassis, thus no more need to install a tag axle. Yet 37' is a long motorohome, and as noted by you, they will buckle when towing to much weight, the frame extension will start to break away from the factory frame. The 1999 was much better, in the factory can order the proper length wheelbase, then not extend the rear as much, however the hitch is probably attached to the frame extension, not the chassis manufactures frame.
Then check the weight of the empty motorhome. With mine, I have a 100 gallon fresh water tank that is under the rear bed in the back basement compartment, so filling it with 800 pounds of water is good to take some weight off the front axle, when in normal camping mode, or towing a car four wheels down. However when towing my brother's enclosed 25' long trailer, I left the water tank empty, and that kept the rear axle from being overloaded. My 30' Bounder has a very short rear overhang, and the chassis will not wiggle or buckle because of this. Because I can remove so much weight, and I actually need weight behind the axle, the 600 - 800 pounds of hitch weight was acceptable to me. It prevents the front axle from being overloaded.
So I think it is better to look for a shorter RV, with the longest wheelbase, and highest GVWR. Something in the 32 - 34' size will probably have a shorter distance between the center of the rear axle and center of the hitch ball. Or look for a diesel pusher that has enough horsepower. The 5.9L engine is a great engine in a 10,000 pound pickup, not a 18,000 pound motorhome towing 7,000 pounds more. You need a slightly larger engine.
Look at Alpine - if you can find one, they have a factory installed 10,000 pound hitch, it is adequate for towing a bit more than that too!
Most of the Bounders or gas engine motorhome will have a 5,000 pound limit, or perhaps 3,500 pounds?
"concered about the weight we tow to our destinations" This wording implies you pull a trailer behind, not four down so: 1999 37S Pace Arrow only has a hitch rated for 3500 lbs and a tongue weight of 250 lbs (page 2). Leaving the water tank empty is not going to change the hitch rating that should have a 350 tongue rating (10%). Limiting it to 250 tells me you should not overload this hitch. You need to keep looking.
I would weigh any MH before buying and check the hitch rating carefully.
* This post was
edited 04/24/12 04:19am by Ivylog *
This post is my opinion (free advice). It is not intended to influence anyone's judgment nor do I advocate anyone do what I propose.
I have seen one that went over a little rise in the road and was parkied at the side of the road with the rear hanging to the pavement. The trailer apparently was very heavy. At this time there were many MHs with heavy looking enclosed trailers coming East from the UP Mich. Fair, so probably an exhibitor or other fair worker of some type. This was along US 2 in the UP of Mich.
2003 Newmar Mountain Aire, Workhorse W22, 2008 Saturn Vue, Falcon 5250, & US Gear Unified Tow Brake
You can have a good welding shop reinforce the rear of the coach to support the extra weight. Many coaches have extensions to the factory frame in the rear that are not as strong as the factory frame. I have done this to my last 3 coaches because I tow a 6500 lb trailer to the Desert.
Fuzzy and Mary
1994 Pace Arrow 33
1928 Model A
1953 Ford Club Coupe
1963 1/2 Falcon Ranchero Original factory V8 4 spd
1963 Fairlane SportsCoupe
1965 Honda SuperHawk
2002 Itasca Horizon 39QD with the Fatboy tires on the back!
2009 VW Jetta TDI Sportwagon - toad!
Aluma 24' Enclosed car hauler
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