Trailer Towing - A challenge.

[Duckogram]

Can it be done within the limits of the equipment (safe and legal) and are there any ways to make it possible if it cannot be done with a stock configuration?

Here is the scenario:
The Tow Vehicle - 2018 2800QS on a 2017 E450 Cutaway.
The Trailer - 2019 Rockwood 2912BS
Both pictured below.

The departure point is just South of Gainsville, FL - Home
The destination is just West of Rockland, ME - The Lake

[billwww3]

so I-95 almost the whole way...?? sounds exciting. are you not bumping up real close to max allowed length?
good luck!!
bw

[hunter99]

I would wonder that even with a weight distributing hitch if you'd be over rated tongue weight. I don't know that trailer but a lot of travel trailers are somewhat tongue heavy on purpose to help some with sway.

Other than that, as billwww3 said, you may be over the legal length limit.

[billwww3]

Originally Posted by billwww3

so I-95 almost the whole way...?? sounds exciting. are you not bumping up real close to max allowed length?
good luck!!
bw

Ducky, so i just pulled up RVIA chart for allowed length by state; 65 or No Statute in most where you will be traveling but Maryland and DC 55, North Carolina 60, and New Jersey 62. my math says you are at 65.5 feet per the specs of your named vehicles.

website -

https://www.rvia.org/system/files/me...V%20Length.pdf

[CurtPutnam]

What is the GCVWR for the coach? I'm willing to bet you are over. Most Class A MHs have a 5,000 lb towing limit. I doubt that a Class C is higher.

[Reverse_snowbird]

According to the specs, you're over 30' long and the trailer is over 35' long. That's over 65' and not legal in many states.
Even more concerning is that your vehicle has a max towing of 7,500 lbs. and that trailer unloaded (not including options) is 7,850+.
Don't think that would be safe.

[flyflotrtim]

I would not feel safe with that combination.

[Duckogram]

Originally Posted by flyflotrtim

I would not feel safe with that combination.

Why not? This is a challenge about overall awareness of the many aspects of motorhome operation. It is cold (4 letter word) and I’m staying indoors so I’m looking for mental stimulation.
Even my thermostat is not happy.

[Duckogram]

Originally Posted by CurtPutnam

What is the GCVWR for the coach? I'm willing to bet you are over. Most Class A MHs have a 5,000 lb towing limit. I doubt that a Class C is higher.

The GCWR is 22,000 lbs. That tells you jack diddly if you do know the actual weight of the MH. The available load between those two numbers is (rounded) 8,000 lbs. You lost the bet.

See post #6 for towing numbers as you are 50% off there too.

[wildmanabe]

I'm just wondering how u would do going up a steep hill with that set up. Or coming down one.

[timfromma]

If you insist on bring both with you, find someone with a suitable truck (either 3/4 or 1 ton) and have them tow the trailer for you.

[kenandterry]

Originally Posted by CurtPutnam

What is the GCVWR for the coach? I'm willing to bet you are over. Most Class A MHs have a 5,000 lb towing limit. I doubt that a Class C is higher.

Just an fyi CurtPutnam…..

I’ve had both a Class A and a Class C, both coincidentally from Forest River.
Both were powered by the Ford Triton V-10 engine. The Class A had a 5 speed transmission, the Class C being newer, had the 6 speed transmission.

Believe it or not…..
The Class A actually was rated for 5,000 lb towing limit.
The Class C actually was rated for 7,500 lb towing limit.

Smaller unit with the V-10 had the higher rating.

[kenandterry]

Originally Posted by Duckogram

Can it be done within the limits of the equipment (safe and legal) and are there any ways to make it possible if it cannot be done with a stock configuration?

Here is the scenario:
The Tow Vehicle - 2018 2800QS on a 2017 E450 Cutaway.
The Trailer - 2019 Rockwood 2912BS
Both pictured below.

The departure point is just South of Gainsville, FL - Home
The destination is just West of Rockland, ME - The Lake

Duck……
Someone else posted some length limitations in the various states, and by that alone…..you’d be over the legal limit.

Here’s the specs for both vehicles in your proposal…..

The numbers are not in your favour for a safe adventure.

https://www.rvusa.com/rv-guide/2018-...qs-gts-tr36678


https://www.rvusa.com/rv-guide/2019-...2912bs-tr40670

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by Duckogram

Why not? This is a challenge about overall awareness of the many aspects of motorhome operation. It is cold (4 letter word) and I’m staying indoors so I’m looking for mental stimulation.

Even my thermostat is not happy.

So are you saying this thread is not really asking for help or a legitimate question in the OP?

Sent from my LM-X320 using Forest River Forums mobile app

[Duckogram]

I was thinking that I actually could do the long long trailer pull. It turns out that hunter99 busted my balloon.

The length issue is not a problem IF Massachusetts will waiver the few inches over. Going up 95 was never a consideration. I do not go that way even if I’m only towing the clown car. I usually take 81 to 84. However even going up 75 stll leaves MA as the cork. That is, of course, in a stock configuration but that will not work and the fix causes other issues.

So when looking at length restrictions I saw the RVIA guide that Bill posted. It is a good reference unless you need to get down to the inches. At that point you must look at the exact language in each State’s codified rules. There you can find exclusion for bumpers and safety equipment. Using that information you can shave off a few inches on the front and even more on the back. That just leaves MA as the cork because of the requirement to use Federal or Federally funded highways.(Lots of fine print including turning radius)

Next is the trailer overweight. Reverse Snowbird is correct of course. However the trailer can go on a diet since the plan was to take it to “the lake”.
Removing the 2 x 30 propane tanks, battery and holding tanks, all of which are not needed, gets the weight below 7,500 lbs. What that does not do, is get the hitch weight down.

That gets us to the problem that I was hoping there was an answer for.
As hunter99 stated, the tongue weight max is 500 lbs, 750 with a WDH. But that is only part of the problem. The real problem is a combination of the tongue weight and the rear axle weight. As the E450 owners know, our MH’s are heavy on the rear axle. Mine in normal ready for the summer trip mode leaves only 200 lbs under rear axle gross.

So it is not about just getting to 500/750. I though I had a solution.(pictured below) for the weight. With a Tow Toad I think I can get the hitch weight to zero!
Unfortunately, although it can be considered safety equipment, brings me back to over length because it is weight bearing.

So while I was hopeful it looks like it cannot be done. (safely and legally)

[ppine]

Rethink your plan.

[kenandterry]

Originally Posted by ppine

Rethink your plan.

Did you happen to read the entire thread before your comment above?

Just asking.

[pdqparalegal1]

Short answer os length in the least of your problem. I know nothing of your weights or capabilities but length enforcement is for “commercial” vehicles. I know my experience means nothing to most of the forum but I towed a 32’, 36’ including tongue with a 36’ diesel pusher all over the east coast. NY to Fla, NC to Kansas.

My problem was finding fuel stops I could use. Some hairy stories about that.

Good luck

[Reverse_snowbird]

Originally Posted by Duckogram

So while I was hopeful it looks like it cannot be done. (safely and legally)

You've definitely thought this through and come to the correct decisions. Safely is much more important. We want you to 'arrive alive'.
You might be able to find a transport company to move that trailer. Pricey, but less cost than an accident.

[jimmoore13]

This is as much a question as it is a response to the OP.

What role does the enormous rear overhang on the Class C play in this equation? Most TVs have far less rear overhang, and far less "counter movement" of the hitch in the opposite direction of the direction of travel....hitch moves left while the cab moves right.

Hauling a TOAD or similarly compact trailer...say a box trailer for toys...the waggle of the butt end of the Class C isn't likely to setup a death wobble that the massive rig can't handle. But with a 30+', 7500#+ travel trailer in tow, is there a concern that an evasive maneuver or surprise crosswind could setup a death wobble and overpower the Class C?

Again, just a question. Considering that a common source of body damage on any RV is the counter movement of the rear end of the rig in tight quarters, will that create its own hazard in this situation?