Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 09-25-2019, 04:31 PM   #1
PRK
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 31
Isata 3 towing ?

This is my first motorhome and I’m looking to tow a vehicle that has a curb weight of 4362 lbs. The kayaks and gear I add might get the total weight up to about 4600lbs. This would keep me about 400lbs under the max tow rating of 5000lbs. For those experienced with Isata 3 towing is this rig really capable of towing this kind of weight and maintain highway performance? I can’t go out and road test it myself because the toad will be a new purchase if I go that route. Thanks.
__________________
N.E. MN
2020 Isata 3 24 FW
PRK is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2019, 05:00 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
Sandiegodoug's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: San Diego
Posts: 1,074
I think maximum towing is 4200. The hitch is rated at 5000. Maybe changed with new Mercedes chassis but I would check. We tow a 4000lb jk soft top. With bikes on the back approaches 4200. Have towed over the grapevine in California and did ok.
Sandiegodoug is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2019, 05:02 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
TrailWayz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 471
You can do a Google search for the curb weight of any vehicle you are interested in.

ie. year vehicle make model trim curb weight
__________________
-Brian

2020 Isata 5 30FW 4x4
2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit
TrailWayz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2019, 05:03 PM   #4
PRK
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 31
On this 2020 rig I have the max towing is 5000lbs with a tongue weight of 500. Thanks for the info.
__________________
N.E. MN
2020 Isata 3 24 FW
PRK is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2019, 05:04 PM   #5
PRK
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 31
Quote:
Originally Posted by TrailWayz View Post
You can do a Google search for the curb weight of any vehicle you are interested in.

ie. year vehicle make model trim curb weight
I did that. That’s how I came up with the curb weight stated. Just curious what people’s actual experiences are. Thanks.
__________________
N.E. MN
2020 Isata 3 24 FW
PRK is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2019, 05:07 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
milkman55's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Posts: 1,821
Just because the hitch is rated for 5,000 lbs doesn’t necessarily mean you can tow 5,000 lbs. The GCWR is 15,250 lbs, but the GVWR is 11,030 lbs. So if you have the RV loaded to capacity (most people do), then only 4,220 lbs remains for a toad along with any load in the toad. At 4,600 lbs you project, not sure I would worry too much, however technically overweight. I think trying to stay within the 11,030 lbs for the RV is more critical.
__________________
2021 Isata 5 30FW
2014 Honda CR-V
milkman55 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2019, 05:16 PM   #7
PRK
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 31
Quote:
Originally Posted by milkman55 View Post
Just because the hitch is rated for 5,000 lbs doesn’t necessarily mean you can tow 5,000 lbs. The GCWR is 15,250 lbs, but the GVWR is 11,030 lbs. So if you have the RV loaded to capacity (most people do), then only 4,220 lbs remains for a toad along with any load in the toad. At 4,600 lbs you project, not sure I would worry too much, however technically overweight. I think trying to stay within the 11,030 lbs for the RV is more critical.
Thanks. I thought I understood this but I need to read up more. I thought that I could max out the CCC of the camper plus flat tow up to 5000 lbs.
__________________
N.E. MN
2020 Isata 3 24 FW
PRK is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2019, 05:20 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
milkman55's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Posts: 1,821
My CR-V has a curb weight of 3,500 lbs and I put all the heavy stuff (like cases of water) in the Honda to keep weight in line on the Sprinter chassis.
__________________
2021 Isata 5 30FW
2014 Honda CR-V
milkman55 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2019, 08:11 PM   #9
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 45
We towed our Jk soft top across the country in August. The Jeep weighs 4000 lbs and we loaded it with heavier stuff from our Isata 3. It performed well. I would imagine we will likely pull the Jeep more often than not
GaryH58 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2019, 10:00 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
Bill Davis's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Marysville, Ohio
Posts: 1,765
Quote:
Originally Posted by PRK View Post
This is my first motorhome and I’m looking to tow a vehicle that has a curb weight of 4362 lbs. The kayaks and gear I add might get the total weight up to about 4600lbs. This would keep me about 400lbs under the max tow rating of 5000lbs. For those experienced with Isata 3 towing is this rig really capable of towing this kind of weight and maintain highway performance? I can’t go out and road test it myself because the toad will be a new purchase if I go that route. Thanks.
You won’t have any problems. I pull a GMC Terrain and it handles it just fine. I also pull a 10 foot enclosed trailer at times with no issues. It’s a great little engine and yours will have the 7? Speed trans I believe? That should make it even better.
__________________
2008 Dynaquest 340xl
Bill and Carol
Retired mechanic
US Army Veteran 🇺🇸
Previous coach 2017 Isata 3RW
Also,3 Diesel pushers, 1Bvan, 2 class Cs
Bill Davis is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2019, 11:34 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
Barch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Colville, WA
Posts: 345
No problem pulling a 2013 Honda CRV with ± 200 lbs of cargo plus two E Bikes mounted on the back (125 lbs). I tow at 60 mph as recommended by the Honda manual. RPM's stay between 2,200 and 2,600 most of the time. Plenty of power and no handling issues.
__________________
2019 ISATA 3 FW
LiFePO4 Upgrade
2013 Honda CRV Toad
Barch is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-26-2019, 05:57 AM   #12
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 918
DO remember a brake is required on the towd.
FFred is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-26-2019, 01:36 PM   #13
Member
 
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 73
Do yourself a favor and load up your RV with everything you plan to load—kayaks, etc. Then go to a truck scale and weigh it. Now you can approximate the weight of your new toad. Or buy a fiat 500
travelininmymbs is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-26-2019, 01:50 PM   #14
Senior Member
 
mlmay12's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Escondido, CA
Posts: 817
Quote:
Originally Posted by PRK View Post
This is my first motorhome and I’m looking to tow a vehicle that has a curb weight of 4362 lbs. The kayaks and gear I add might get the total weight up to about 4600lbs. This would keep me about 400lbs under the max tow rating of 5000lbs. For those experienced with Isata 3 towing is this rig really capable of towing this kind of weight and maintain highway performance? I can’t go out and road test it myself because the toad will be a new purchase if I go that route. Thanks.
I tow my 2016 Jeep JK Hardtop all the time. It weighs 4400 lbs when configured for a trip. Have towed it over 20K miles throughout the Western United States with no problem at all. The Turbo-Diesel Engine has plenty of power although it will slow down on very steep hills. I track the weight pretty carefully and am usually right on the limit or a couple hundred pounds over with full tanks. I installed Sumo Springs front and back and service the Transmission at 25K. Have had no ill effects yet at 27K miles and 3 years. Everyone has their own opinions of what is OK and they are welcome to them. I tend to believe that there is always a slight margin on the limits and I don't worry about it. If I am on a rough road with pot holes I am very careful as I believe the weak links are Leaf Springs and Suspension. JMHO
__________________
2016 Dynamax Isata 3 24FW
2016 Jeep Willys JK
Yellow Lab Buddy Biscuit Eater
USN-RET/DOD-RET
mlmay12 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-26-2019, 02:13 PM   #15
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 127
I am towing a 2019 Chevy Equinox FWD and it weighs under 3300lbs. The AWD Equinox is under 3800lbs. I installed the Demco Stay& Play Duo brake system. Once installed all you ever have to do going forward is to flip a toggle switch on or off.


This link will give you a year by year of vehicles you can tow fours wheels down and anything you need to do to do it. Also gives you vehicle weights.
Downloadable Dinghy Towing Guides | MotorHome Magazine
Tmrut5 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-26-2019, 05:10 PM   #16
PRK
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 31
Thanks everyone for all the reply’s and good information. I have a much better idea of what direction I want to go.
__________________
N.E. MN
2020 Isata 3 24 FW
PRK is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-10-2019, 01:12 PM   #17
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 10
Whats everyones opinion on the new 7 speed transmission versus the 2019 5 speed. I pull a JL Rubicon Jeep and found the Coach to be very "Doggy" on medium to steep hills. It'll go from 70MPH down to the high 50's in various locations worse on the real steep hills. May want to upgrade to the new 2020.5 if the tranny makes a big difference.
TJM743 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-10-2019, 01:21 PM   #18
Senior Member
 
mlmay12's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Escondido, CA
Posts: 817
Quote:
Originally Posted by TJM743 View Post
Whats everyones opinion on the new 7 speed transmission versus the 2019 5 speed. I pull a JL Rubicon Jeep and found the Coach to be very "Doggy" on medium to steep hills. It'll go from 70MPH down to the high 50's in various locations worse on the real steep hills. May want to upgrade to the new 2020.5 if the tranny makes a big difference.
I pull a JK hardtop with 35's on it so I am pushing the weight limits. I manually shift on all hills to keep the RPM's up and it does pretty well. Very steep hills cause a slow down for sure but I am so focused on my tranny temp that I don't pay much attention. Mine easily gets up to 230 + degrees on a long climb.
__________________
2016 Dynamax Isata 3 24FW
2016 Jeep Willys JK
Yellow Lab Buddy Biscuit Eater
USN-RET/DOD-RET
mlmay12 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-10-2019, 01:40 PM   #19
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 10
I have the 2019 on a 2017 chassis. My tranny can't be manually shifted. That's where I am wondering about the 7 Speed on the 2020's. Possibly BC can help.
TJM743 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-10-2019, 01:48 PM   #20
Senior Member
 
milkman55's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Posts: 1,821
Your transmission should be shifted manually by moving the shift lever to the left and right when in the drive position. Mine has a + and - sign to the sides.

I went straight up Monarch Pass in CO at 11,312 ft and pulled the whole way on cruise control pulling our Honda CR-V without issue. Held 45 mph (speed limit) the whole way. Down shifted on the backside to stay off the brakes.

Not sure there enough of the new 7 speed trannys out there to have a complete analysis of its towing capabilities.
__________________
2021 Isata 5 30FW
2014 Honda CR-V
milkman55 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
towing

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Forest River, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:50 AM.