Solera towing capacity vs. Winnebago

[boats742]

I see the Solera is rated to tow #3500, but the Winnebago on the same Sprinter chassis (and same weight) is #5000 capicity. Any ideas why?

[Campin Cajun]

I have no knowledge of either RV but for the most part it's usually the transmission that limits tow capacity. On the Berkshire 340 & 360 models this is true. Same chassis and engine. Just two different transmission sizes.

[Mikegjax]

This has been covered on another thread. My understanding is, the hitch on the Solera is a 5,000 lb hitch. FR puts a 3,500 limit on it to be more conservative. This helps to prevent the maximum allowable weights from being exceeded.

[Taylorgso]

Originally Posted by Mikegjax

This has been covered on another thread. My understanding is, the hitch on the Solera is a 5,000 lb hitch. FR puts a 3,500 limit on it to be more conservative. This helps to prevent the maximum allowable weights from being exceeded.

Mike is exactly right. Everything is exactly the same. But if you try to tow 5000# with either, you'll be over GCWR.

[Mikegjax]

I would think the View actually has less towing capacity due to its probable heavier gross weight. The View has thicker walls hence the heavier basic weight. Does that sound right?

[slow]

A 2013 View 24j at our local dealer had the following capacity label information:
Passenger: 350 kg (772 lb)
Cargo: 251 kg (553 lb)

Therefore combined: 601 kg (1325lb)

[Taylorgso]

The only figures that matter is the GVWR (11043 lbs) and this is the same regardless of brand. Any Sprinter Class C.with Fuel, LP Gas, Fresh Water, Supplies, etc. will soon be over weight and many do drive over this weight. (I weighed mine out and was 170lbs over). Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) is 15,250 lbs, leaving an allowable tow vehicle weight of 4220 lbs. So, if you load a Winnebago Sprinter to GVWR and then add a 5000lb tow vehicle, you'd be almost 800lbs over Mercedes' allowable GCWR. These figures are Mercedes' figures and are the same regardless of the coach builder. So, Winnebago's figures are deceptive. Only way you could tow 5000 lbs is if you were towing it with a virtually empty Sprinter.

[RMThomas]

My 2014 Solera 24S on 2013 MB chassis has label on receiver of 4,200 # max.

[Mikegjax]

My 2014 R on the 13 chassis also has the 4200# max label. BC mentioned that FR was going to upgrade the limit on the 2014. Remember, even with this label you can easily exceed the max weights of the chassis without getting close to the 4200# . It is still a 5000# hitch.

[bclemens]

Originally Posted by boats742

I see the Solera is rated to tow #3500, but the Winnebago on the same Sprinter chassis (and same weight) is #5000 capicity. Any ideas why?

Just to reiterate and confirm what others have said. The rating is basically the same for both. You take the GCWR (15,250) and subtract the GVWR (11,030). You get 4,220. So we went with 4200.

So yes, Winnie shows 5,000 lbs and then they put this tiny asterisk on there that you have to look at weights, etc. To get 5,000lbs of towing you would have to take 800 lbs out of your Solera so that you trade off cargo weight for towing weight. We just felt like the 4,200 was more realistic and not misleading.

[boats742]

Originally Posted by bclemens

Just to reiterate and confirm what others have said. The rating is basically the same for both. You take the GCWR (15,250) and subtract the GVWR (11,030). You get 4,220. So we went with 4200.

So yes, Winnie shows 5,000 lbs and then they put this tiny asterisk on there that you have to look at weights, etc. To get 5,000lbs of towing you would have to take 800 lbs out of your Solera so that you trade off cargo weight for towing weight. We just felt like the 4,200 was more realistic and not misleading.

Thanks BClemens. Does that change only apply to the 2014 models or is my 2013 Solera set-up the same way, so it could tow #4200 as well? Thanks!

[bclemens]

Nothing changed but the sticker.