We have been looking at several class A gas motorhomes, and noticed most all have a 5000lb towing limit. We already own a Jeep Commander Limited 4x4 with Quadra Drive II that allows it to be towed 4 down. The weights I've found noted online put this vehicle around 4700-4900 lbs. If we sell this Jeep to buy a small dingy, we're going to eat it big time. I guess no one's interested in a 5.7L Hemi these days.
My question is how realistic are these tow ratings? We're going to be full-timing for a year, so my guess is we'll be close to the chassis max weight as it is. Does 5000 pounds really mean 5000 pounds, or are we going to be cruising at 40 mph over every hill?
We have a large family, so we require more than a small sedan. We've also looked at an older diesel pusher, but prefer the class A price range and lower fuel prices.
When we bought our current travel trailer, the photo on the brochure showed a Commander towing it. Everyone said it would work great with a stabilizer hitch and sway bars. It's actually very scary unless the Commander is loaded with firewood. I don't want a repeat situation with a motorhome.
Brent our 1993 32' A hitch is rated at 3200. Look under the A gassers and see what the hitch is welded to for support. I bet it will not be the chassis frame but to an extension of the frame. Our 454 could tow more but fast stop could be bad news. While you may be OK being at the edge I would ensure I had a good braking system for the toad to keep the load off of the hitch.
You are below the 5,000, not by much so keep that in mind when towing it, like it's not a second storage unit for bikes tables and chairs.
I tow a GC that at 4,700 lbs with no problems. I'm not out west and don't have monster hills. but 60 MPH is has never been a problem. As Gale mentioned above a good breaking system is key to the package. There are many suppliers and means to a good braking package. I also find that I loss about .5 MPG when towing the toad.
I will tell you that I know it's back when towing it. Since I towed with out for it for awhile. It does slow me some, like when going up a good grade, I would never shift down, which I now do drop one gear to maintain the same speed. But I am pulling 4,700 lbs. Would I like a smaller toad, yes, my next will be. Why, because the jeep only gets 16 at best to the gallon. So I will be looking for a Saturn or another smaller vehicle when the time comes. JM2Cents Bill
Quote: Does 5000 pounds really mean 5000 pounds, or are we going to be cruising at 40 mph over every hill?
5000 lbs means it's rated to tow no more than 5000 lbs. on any road. It's based on the chassis/suspension/weight, etc on the TV. Tow ratings have nothing to do however, with the maximum speed down the road. A given rig may slow down on a grade with no toad or more so with a toad. Most likely your setup will slow down on a grade.
You will definitely need/want a supplemental brake.
You should get better input by posting information on a actual rig that you are considering.
A couple of things. First of all, I think the Jeep Commander weighs more than 5,000 lbs. Isn't it bigger than a GC, and Polishnurse says their GC is 4,700 lbs. I looked at a Commander as a possible vehicle for us, but it was too heavy.
Second, a 5,000 lb. hitch does not necessarily mean it can tow 5,000 lbs. You'll find many gas class A rigs that have a GVWR of 22,000 lbs. and a GCWR of 26,000 lbs. If your rig weighs in near the 22,000 lb., then you can only tow 4,000 lbs. IF you want to remain under your GCWR.
Our example: We run about 21,000- 21,500 lbs. loaded and ready to travel. Our Honda Odyssey weighs in at 4,500 lbs. (Again, by comparison, the Commander should be quite a bit heavier than this). So while we stay under our GVWR of 22,000 lbs. by at least 500 lbs., we do, on occasion, flirt with the 26,000 lb. GCWR.
There is more to towing than pulling...there is stopping and stability control as well, as you are aware. Also, the chassis manufacturers of current generation gas motorhomes REQUIRE that auxiliary brakes be used when towing more than 1,500 lbs. Many people ignore this requirement and get bogged down with legal requirements and such. But if you are concerned about adhering to the manufacturer's specs, be prepared to budget for a brake system as well as the tow plate, tow bar & lights.
I feel your pain. With a larger family, you need a decent sized dinghy. We're a family of 6 and our Odyssey works very well but you have to get a 2004 model or earlier to be flat-towable. The Honda Pilots pre-2005 seated 7 and were flat-towable as well, and they, too weighed in around 4,500 lbs.
Good Luck,
~Rick
* This post was
edited 06/30/08 06:11pm by Rick Jay *
2005 Georgie Boy 3625 DS on a Workhorse W-22 (Class A)
Rick, Gail, 1 girl (12-Angel), 1 girl (7), 2 boys (8 & 5), 1 plump Golden Retriever.
2001 Honda Odyssey with Demco Aluminator tow bar & tow plate, SMI Silent Partner brake controller.
1st, don't believe one word from Jeep about the weight of your toad. Take it to a scale loaded just the way you would tow it and get an actual weight. GM says our toad curb weight is 5050#, but when we scaled it, we found the true curb weight was over 5800#, then when we put our "stuff" in it and scaled it, we went over 6200#, now with the toy in the bed, it's 7000#. This weight required a different towbar.
2nd, the towing limit is set by many factors and the most important is the frame extension and how it is connected to the chassis factory frame, plus the braking capacity of your chassis manufacture. I have seen some catastrophic results from frame failures on some class C motor homes. Just believe the manufacture and don't put your family in jeopardy.
Bob & Betsy - USN Ret'd '78 & FL LEO Ret'd '03 FMCA #F203528 '05 HR Endeavor, 40PRQ w/400 Cummins - With -'05 GMC Sierra LT, CC Z-71, the pusher '07 Arctic Cat 500A & Wilderness Kayak, riding in the pusher - Our Current Location
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