Topic: Towing with a motorhome?

[Slolyfe]

So Im thinking about getting a RV to go wheeling at places like Moon Rocks and the Hammers and there are some pretty cheap deals out there. So who has towed with a motorhome. I will be towing my 82 crawler on a 16 ft carson trailer with 4 wheel electric brakes. looking at something like these but want one with a diesel.  Thanks, Austin

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/rvs/1453162627.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/rvs/1458749891.html

[Tool Pimp]

Here's what I have used both are BB gas motors and pull just fine. 

32' with a 16' trailer


34' with a 16' trailer
Ill sell you this motorhome 

[Slolyfe [OP]]

How much do you want for it? Where are you located?

[Tool Pimp]

So Cal you can pick it up on your way to the Hammers   
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=835759

[Rocksurfer]

I've trailered/towed several different ways with motorhomes, used to have a trailer which I towed my 4Runner on, flat-towed my pickup, Samurai and dollied my 86. Except for the added weight and of course going slower you won't know they are even there.

[axled89]

ya man you can't beet that.  that's awsome.

[Rocksurfer]

One thing to remember in towing with a motorhome, rear swing. The rear of a motorhome has between 6 to 10 feet of overhang, this will cause whatever is being towed to swing the opposite direction and then turn the direction in which you are going. If you park too close to something and turn away from it you could hit it with what you are towing. As you can see in the picture of my motorhome that I have a very long overhang, if I have to turn sharply to get away from the curb my truck would end up on the sidewalk. It will first go right before turning following me to the left.

[Steve_925]

when gas was up there in price it cost $1 per mile to tow with the old RV with the 454

[steveco.]

just curious.  i'm sure the combined length of the RV/Trailer are more than 50'+.  do you need a different Class type of license? I remember reading over 50' a class A is needed.. not like it's going to stop me or anything

[axled89]

the weight is also a factor in the lisence.

[Hottrod81]

http://www.towingworld.com/articles/TowingLaws.htm

[66cobra]

I both flat and trailer tow depending on distance and trail diffuculty. i live in colorado and there are some insane grades to pull so sometimes the going is slow. in short if you have a gasser get the most powerful one you can. the 460's exhaust manifolds crack and are expensive so watch out. that in part is why i went with the banks kit which eliminates that and adds @100 hp. made a big difference in performance

[Rocksurfer]

CA has both non-commercial class A & B licensing for this purpose, the best thing to do is refer to the commercial handbook it has a very good breakdown on when you need one.

[Rocksurfer]

the 460's exhaust manifolds crack and are expensive so watch out. that in part is why i went with the banks kit which eliminates that and adds @100 hp. made a big difference in performance

Thanks for that bit of info since I just got a 460 dually.

[steveco.]

well i found out from asking around the campfire that your total length needs to be under 50ft. if more you'll need a class A. i don't think a Law enforcement officer will notice if you're over by a couple feet... at least he didn't notice me 

heres my rig. 35' w/ 20' trailer out at Stoddard Wells this past weekend

[V-Man]

   I just bought a 45' Motor home built on a class 8 diesel truck chassis and a 30' double car trailer.  

Do you think they'll notice the extra few feet...

[steveco.]

i think they just might notice. just a little bit though..   

[V-Man]

i think they just might notice. just a little bit though..   

    You think that dual stacks and Jake-brake will get me in trouble? 


  It's got a Detroit 60 Series 460Hp 1500Ft/Lb motor and a 13 Double over Manual Transmission, and 3.70 rears.
 

[steveco.]

don't activate it in a residential area.. might be too loud.  sounds like you might need to get that class A.  maybe a few others will chime in.

[V-Man]

don't activate it in a residential area.. might be too loud.  sounds like you might need to get that class A.  maybe a few others will chime in.

  Darn all I've got is this AC  thingy from Ontario. 

[Rocksurfer]

In CA at a certain point you will need either a class B or A "non-commercial" license depending on the size of vehicle.

[V-Man]

In CA at a certain point you will need either a class B or A "non-commercial" license depending on the size of vehicle.

I don't think I will need one of those for a few more years...I can pull up to 103.5 Feet right now with the right permit, in some states and Provinces.
 

Many of the Licensing laws, make a real mess of it.  In many places some one can drive a Hugo to get a drivers license, and then jump behind the wheel of a 10,000lbs 40-50 foot motor home and trailer setup.  That's just not right.

[Rocksurfer]

I actually think there should be a level of what you can drive by what you have demonstrated you can drive. Some people just don't belong driving large vehicles without the knowledge of the characteristics of them. I've seen some scary driving by some that have no clue as to the difference between vehicles. If you want to drive a 4 door dually or even that fullsize SUV they need to make sure you can handle it. Though there is no requirement to do this, I've made sure everyone in my family can handle and control everything I own. It is a funny site to see my wife driving a heavy duty rig, but after learning how to drive those things she now is confident at driving just about anything. Oh and those backup cameras and warning chimes in vehicles don't count as being a competent driver of one of those mega SUV's, if you can't back right up to the pole after seeing it, not being able to once against it then stopping just short of hitting it you should not drive it.