Motor home question?

[Jason W.]

The wife and I are debating on a class c, not sure, motorhome In the future. I am totally new to it. Here are my questions.

I have seen class b and c, I would like a b but most don't list towing capacity. The class c,s list at 5k lbs. That just seems low, it will have to tow my Jeep and trailer, I am not flat towing . approx 7k lbs

How us towing with one if these rv,s. Anyone with first hand experience, suggestions please

 

[CasterTroy]

Pops had a 28ft Class C with a V10 until about 5 yrs ago

Didn't tow a car but towed my 7x16 enclosed to track days when I had a track bike.

Scottie kept yelling "captain, I'm giving her all she's got" at every incline. It was pretty pathetic. I can't imagine another 2,000 pounds or so. For THAT reason I'm looking at slide in campers as a future solution

 

[k5-1402]

It really depends on which class c you get. I think most would pull your jeep, but it would be very slow unless you get a diesel, and even then it won't be the same as pulling with a pick-up. I would say a smaller class c would be best just because it's lighter.

 

[rodney eppes]

Don't know the classes, just most older / good bargain / low mileage, RVs, were on a 1 ton frame. Ford / Chevy / Dodge, automatic, 350-400cu in. gas> carb. 16" wheels & 3.73 - 4.11 rears.
More of the Scenic cruisers, & driven slow, to try to keep some gas in the tank. It's a Great big Box, pushing down the road, with 180-265 hp. They'll get you there, if your patient.
Or, maybe a pre-owned "Motor Coach", with a 400-500 hp Diesel!

 

[Ron]

The

Or, maybe a pre-owned "Motor Coach", with a 400-500 hp Diesel!

This.
Depending on your budget. Id rather have a low mileage 10-15 year old diesel pusher than a new Class C.


We looked at this:
2002 ALLEGRO TIFFIN 38GH DOUBLE SLIDE DIESEL PUSHER MOTOR HOME WITH 330 CAT ENGINE AND ALLISON 6 SPEED TRANSMISSION. LOW MILEAGE.

About 2 months ago. Ultimately couldnt pull the trigger on a cat powered RV. It would be bad for me. But it sold for $24k....They will finance them forever if you want for a low payment.

 

[rodney eppes]

The


This.
Depending on your budget. Id rather have a low mileage 10-15 year old diesel pusher than a new Class C.


We looked at this:
2002 ALLEGRO TIFFIN 38GH DOUBLE SLIDE DIESEL PUSHER MOTOR HOME WITH 330 CAT ENGINE AND ALLISON 6 SPEED TRANSMISSION. LOW MILEAGE.

About 2 months ago. Ultimately couldnt pull the trigger on a cat powered RV. It would be bad for me. But it sold for $24k....They will finance them forever if you want for a low payment.

Cool, but probably out of his budget. And, it may be my observations, & experience, but Cat, seems to give more troubles, than Cummins or Detriot.

 

[Ron]

Shit....Jason is a high roller. He got you snowed

 

[Jason W.]

Oh hell no he ain't a high roller!! Haha, just take care of what I got! I am shittin in high cotton to have my plain Jane work truck. It just looks like until you get up to a very big rv, long haul mountain terrain towing wouldn't be very good. Probably rough / stressfull on the rv drivetrain.

@CasterTroy I have thought about the slide in truck camper option as well. Your truck seems perfect for that. My 2500 single axle 6.0 gasser I am apprehensive about it . Seems like too much for the truck to handle, and I am scared of hauling the slide in while towing on a single axle truck. I do know the cost would be much more reasonable.

Great advise guys!

 

[shawn]

I talked to a bunch of guys that had V10 Ford powered motorhomes. MPGs are in the neighborhood of ... 4. All were towing Jeeps on car trailers.

It's a plywood box mounted on a truck chassis, with all the durability and longevity that you might expect from a setup like that.

 

[marty79]

as soon as I get mine going (79' 26ft, 454) I'll let you know how she does for the "hilly" terrain since I always have to haul back home to the mountains. but mine's a class A so I don't know if that makes a difference in anything...maybe gearing in the diff and trans...cause it says rated to tow 8K

 

[Loganwayne]

A new slide in is expensive. But you could get a mid 2000s for under 5000 if you watch the web. You have a 8ft bed. So you really have two choices. They make 8ft slide ins that hangover the back and then there are ones that don't. The one I had it was just short enough in my bed I could close the tail gate. And then you get an instant deck when you set up. I'm partial to a pop up slide in. But most dont have AC or a bath. Your truck would handle it just fine if you added air bags


Besides where the hell you gonna park it lol

 

[marty79]

I talked to a bunch of guys that had V10 Ford powered motorhomes. MPGs are in the neighborhood of ... 4. All were towing Jeeps on car trailers.

It's a plywood box mounted on a truck chassis, with all the durability and longevity that you might expect from a setup like that.

yep that's what I've been reading in all my RV research. The older ones are much lighter, better mpgs with the 440/454/460s and weigh less since the walls aren't plywood. Just a thought. This 79 model I got is rated at 12+/- from most forums, about 9 pulling cars even up mountains. With upgrades, few I've read getting 12/13 while pulling loaded trailers so not nearly as bad as those newer V10s. The V10s however i read are much stronger in power up the hills...I guess soon I will be the judge of this LOL.

 

[marty79]

speed limit is the number one key factor I keep reading in RVs for mpg so that is the #1reason most don't get mileage...kinda hard to be in that slow lane doing 50 in a 70 on the interstate lol

 

[k5-1402]

Jason, there are plenty of lighter slide in campers that are pop up and hards idea that are light enough for your truck to pull. You don't necessarily need a mansion on the back of your truck. And your truck is new enough that all the aftermarket still makes upgrades for your trucks suspension.

 

[shawn]

yep that's what I've been reading in all my RV research. The older ones are much lighter, better mpgs with the 440/454/460s and weigh less since the walls aren't plywood. Just a thought. This 79 model I got is rated at 12+/- from most forums, about 9 pulling cars even up mountains. With upgrades, few I've read getting 12/13 while pulling loaded trailers so not nearly as bad as those newer V10s. The V10s however i read are much stronger in power up the hills...I guess soon I will be the judge of this LOL.

Never have I ever driven a 440, 454, or 460 that saw the better side of 13mpg. And those were all pickups or vans that weren't hauling around 8x8' plywood sails.

 

[marty79]

Never have I ever driven a 440, 454, or 460 that saw the better side of 13mpg. And those were all pickups or vans that weren't hauling around 8x8' plywood sails.

well forums i guess can never be too reliant lol, it's just what i was reading a bunch of cause when i first got it I was very interested in how bad/good the mileage was and that seemed to be a number popping around some rv forums...9-12 was a average "good running" motor response...but I'll be happy and settle for 8 pulling the Jeep!!! (maybe little more since I took out quite a bit of weight)

 

[marty79]

speed limit again was a MAJOR factor...people are claiming 2-3mpg difference from traveling 45mph to 65mph on the highway which I guess makes sense

 

[Ron]

speed limit again was a MAJOR factor...people are claiming 2-3mpg difference from traveling 45mph to 65mph on the highway which I guess makes sense

Right...but with that setup, lets sya you are climbing black mountain. Id expect foot on the floor you to be cresting it around 15-20 mph. Foot on the floor.

Lets see if Im wrong when she is done.

 

[shawn]

Right...but with that setup, lets sya you are climbing black mountain. Id expect foot on the floor you to be cresting it around 15-20 mph. Foot on the floor.

Lets see if Im wrong when she is done.

My Dodge can't do it at more than 30-35mph.

But it gets 30mpg towing 17k. So I'm all right with that.

 

[kaiser715]

We bought a new Class A last fall. Winnebago V10. It's not a sports car, and I don't expect it to go 65 up Black Mountain. From what I have read, the 5-star tuning might be well worth the $...but I am going to wait until we have a few trips in it towing and really see what it needs.

We where looking at a C (van chassis, usually van front end) when we crossed over to considering the the small A's. Not much more money (buying new) for a much heavier chassis, and 19.5 wheels. Figure with the weight and all, the newer 'gotta include everything' C's are pretty darn almost overloaded from the factory. The V10 class A's are built on the F-53 chassis...basically a F450/550.

Most are rated at 5k towing. Mostly due to the strength of the rear frame extension. Beefing up of the hitch has to go way forward.

To tow up to 10k, look at a Nexus Super C (Int'l Terra Star chassis) Nexus RV Factory Direct Phantom Super C Motorhome RVs Don't forget your checkbook!

For taking the CJ5 on wheeling trips, I am thinking of a smaller aluminum trailer (current flatbed is 3k lbs alone), and putting the CJ on a diet to shed some weight...hope to get around 5k total.

 

[Chris_Keziah]

Oh hell no he ain't a high roller!! Haha, just take care of what I got! I am shittin in high cotton to have my plain Jane work truck. It just looks like until you get up to a very big rv, long haul mountain terrain towing wouldn't be very good. Probably rough / stressfull on the rv drivetrain.

@CasterTroy I have thought about the slide in truck camper option as well. Your truck seems perfect for that. My 2500 single axle 6.0 gasser I am apprehensive about it . Seems like too much for the truck to handle, and I am scared of hauling the slide in while towing on a single axle truck. I do know the cost would be much more reasonable.

Great advise guys!

Add air bags and a slide in camper and you'll be good to go. That's what James does with his tow rig.

If y'all are wanting a motorhome deal though an E series van style probably wouldn't be terrible just find one with the v10 or an old 7.3 in it. Hell even just a full size van set up to camp in would be cool in a way.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 

[marty79]

Right...but with that setup, lets sya you are climbing black mountain. Id expect foot on the floor you to be cresting it around 15-20 mph. Foot on the floor.

Lets see if Im wrong when she is done.

I'm curious to know myself trust me!!

 

[CasterTroy]

well forums i guess can never be too reliant lol

Hell no! There's always some wise-ass claiming he gets 30mpg pulling 17k or some other hokey shit

Jason, are you guys looking for marginal comfort? Room? A shitter?

Reason I ask, is pops class C was pretty dang big (looking at my craigslist ad I placed for him it was a 31 and not 28) for JUST 2 people, and it had a shower big enough for MY grape-ape ass!!! They had converted the overcab into storage and only used the back bedroom (just them 2)

Below are some pics.....and I sold his for him for $18,500

1999 Ford E450 31ft Chassis
46,719 miles
Onan 4000 gas generator w 384 hrs
20ft awning
V10 gasser
Air-ride suspension

You could get a MUCH shorter one that would be ideal for 2 people AND pull a trailer.

BTW...I forgot pops had a dolly he towed his Caddy STS cross country to Colorado he pulled behind it. Granted, not a trailer, but still....weight....that said, I'd NEVER attempt to pull "Johnny Cash" on the trailer behind it. Just wouldn't feel safe going thru the pass on 40 to Tenn.

Speaking of which.....would YOU? I mean, class C or pusher, how would you feel tackling that stretch in an RV?!?!

After weighing the options, I'm not really looking for ROOM or a great deal of comfort. Hence why the slide in sounds better and better. In YOUR case I thing a pop-up slide in like what @amcjeepman has is the perfect blend

 

[BrianGreen]

@DAWGTOY has a Ford V10 motorhome that he uses to pull his crawler. I think the old dawgtoy probably weighed 6k with a very solid trailer weighing at least another 2k. Harlan 2x each year, and we would keep up with each other with my 4k truck on a 2k trailer behind my Tundra.

 

[BRUISER]

Cool, but probably out of his budget. And, it may be my observations, & experience, but Cat, seems to give more troubles, than Cummins or Detriot.

Detroit for the win