Ok so I am no stranger to online forums. I read through the FAQ page etc. but I really just need someone to tell me if I am being reasonable, so sorry if this has been covered I just know nothing about RVs... and I am new to towing...
Here is my situation.
I need a tow vehicle to tow a racecar and trailer. It will be just a simple car trailer so all in all with the car the whole thing shouldn't weigh more than 4000lbs.
I have been poking around for older motorhomes, 80's class C and B stuff, since this will be an extreme budget endeavor. All I am looking for is utility really. I want a toilet and shower and stove but most seem to have that.
I was looking to pick something up for under 10k. I know they are out there but I don't know if these cheaper models will be able to tow.
SOOOOO... Be blunt, am I being unrealistic? If not which models would you guys suggest? I would like a diesel (obviously because of towing) but most older models seem to be gas. Should I be concerned about this?
Sorry this is broad but I am really just ignorant here. Thanks for your help in advance!
Most of the MH's in your price range will be gas, but diesels do exist if you look hard enough. Be SURE how much your car and trailer weigh before you buy. It wouldn't be bad to find a scale and actually weigh them. I have a new 32' Class C that can't tow more than 5000#, and some won't tow more than 3500#, so if your estimate is low, my rig may not be able to haul the load. Things usually weigh more than you think. If you keep the MH short with no slide outs, you should have few problems towing that weight.
Diesels are fairly rare until you get to the $100,000+ Class A's, but diligent looking may turn up a smaller diesel.
Bobbo, Linda and the furry kid (German Shepherd)
'07 Winnebago Outlook 31C on a Ford E450 Super Duty Chassis
NRA Life Member
Near N35 12 17 W89 50 57
I did the same thing you want to do for many years. I had an old Class C with a Dodge chassis.Had a 440 and was a gas hog, but got the job done. It was about 25' long and had everything I needed in it. I even loaded my tool box inside, but I also built a box accross the back that was high enough to clear the trailer tongue and large enough to carry lots of stuff that always went with me to the races. (I raced IMCA modified on dirt so spare parts were necessary!)
I use to race in SCCA, had a SRX7 with an open trailer. My trailer weight with three sets of tires, tools, etc could not have been more than 5,000lbs. Most of the weight was near the tongue, because of the tires and tools, and oh year the front engine of the car. Its the toughest towing I have ever done for so little weight.
I think your weight is accurate, so if you can find a strong E450 Class C or older Class A in the 30' range you should be able to do it.
It all depends what you really want to spend. $10K may not be enough. May want to consider a strong 1 ton SRW or DRW with an older truck camper. We did it with a Dodge 3500 dually and truck camper. But that combination may well exceed 10k even used.
Sir Buffalo!
2006 Zinger by Crossroads 27BHS
2007 Toyota Tundra Double Cab 5.7
I had a '76 Dodge Class C that didn't have enough of a frame to even put a hitch on any place. My '89 Ford E350 that could tow 3500# and my '96 Chev A could do the same. My W-22 can tow 4000#. These are all gas. You won't find many diesel in Class C but there are some older diesel Class A's that can do the job for you. The one thing is they may be another 10' longer than you want.
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