Tow capabilities

horatio54 · 10-19-2008, 04:57 AM

09 Sunstar 32k 500lb 5000Lb tow rating ...Question ? If I am using a trailer to haul my Toad does the 5000 lbs include the weight of the trailer ? If so how can I safely haul anything because my tow vehicle weighs 4800 lbs by itself

horatio54 · 10-19-2008, 04:57 AM

09 Sunstar 32k 500lb 5000Lb tow rating ...Question ? If I am using a trailer to haul my Toad does the 5000 lbs include the weight of the trailer ? If so how can I safely haul anything because my tow vehicle weighs 4800 lbs by itself

jimandsue60 · 10-19-2008, 05:07 AM

Of course the tow rating includes the trailer. Tow rating means all the weight attached to the hitch that is being pulled by the motorhome.

The only way to tow it would be 4 wheels down. You will have to read in the owners manual of the toad to see if it is towable 4 down.

Jim

SeeTheUSA · 10-19-2008, 05:10 AM

You'll need to count ANY and ALL weight you put behind the hitch --- even the fuzzy dice hanging from your toad's mirror. With a 4,800 lb. toad, perhaps towing it 4-down is your only option.

livingaboard · 10-19-2008, 05:22 AM

you can't haul a 4800 lb trailer and put more than 200 lbs of stuff in it.

So, yes it includes the weight of everything that is pulled with your rv.

RVJeeper · 10-19-2008, 06:17 AM

The 5000 lb rating you're looking at is probably the hitch rating. The motorhome itself is rated for a GCWR of 26,000 lb, which is the total of the weight of the MH plus whatever you tow. Weigh your motorhome first, then subtract that weight from 26,000 lbs. That's how much you can tow. If it's more than 5,000 lbs then you could get a new hitch installed tht would handle the weight you're towing, assuming you're still under that magic figure of 26,000 lbs.

Captain Bud · 10-19-2008, 06:32 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by RVJeeper:
The 5000 lb rating you're looking at is probably the hitch rating. The motorhome itself is rated for a GCWR of 26,000 lb, which is the total of the weight of the MH plus whatever you tow. Weigh your motorhome first, then subtract that weight from 26,000 lbs. That's how much you can tow. If it's more than 5,000 lbs then you could get a new hitch installed tht would handle the weight you're towing, assuming you're still under that magic figure of 26,000 lbs. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
I don't think this is correct. You are not figuring in the chassis extensions. I would not exceed the MFG "Towing" recommendations, if it states 5000# then that is it....

jimandsue60 · 10-19-2008, 06:35 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by RVJeeper:
The 5000 lb rating you're looking at is probably the hitch rating. The motorhome itself is rated for a GCWR of 26,000 lb, which is the total of the weight of the MH plus whatever you tow. Weigh your motorhome first, then subtract that weight from 26,000 lbs. That's how much you can tow. If it's more than 5,000 lbs then you could get a new hitch installed tht would handle the weight you're towing, assuming you're still under that magic figure of 26,000 lbs. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

This may be true in some cases but not all. The rear structure of the motorhome (where the hitch attaches to) may not be strong enough to handle more weight than what it is already rated for.

Jim

horatio54 · 10-19-2008, 06:49 AM

That light you see is me realizing that now I understand why I see such small cars as toads ..the surprising thing is that it was my intention to tow a featherlite trailer with a 92 Lexus SC400 on it ...the car alone weighs 4800..can't be flat towed for any number of reasons ..oh well it looks like I will be searching for a lightweight tow car ..any suggestions?

jimandsue60 · 10-19-2008, 08:21 AM

Our Mini Cooper is 3000 pounds and a blast to drive once you get to your destination

Jim

FDchief · 10-19-2008, 08:43 AM

Is the mini cooper towable four down without mods and the 5 speed manual trans?

RVJeeper · 10-19-2008, 09:02 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Captain Bud:
I don't think this is correct. You are not figuring in the chassis extensions. I would not exceed the MFG "Towing" recommendations, if it states 5000# then that is it.... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Well, the calculation method is correct but you're right that you need to make sure the rest of the chassis can stand the weight. I could be wrong (wouldn't be the first time!) but I haven't seen were there is a specific towing capacity published except as restricted by the tow hitch that's installed.

jimandsue60 · 10-19-2008, 09:02 AM

I can't tell you about the 5 speed. We have a 6 speed manual. You can read in the manual about towing the cooper. Ours has @20,000 miles of being towed.

RVJeeper · 10-19-2008, 09:06 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by horatio54:
oh well it looks like I will be searching for a lightweight tow car ..any suggestions? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Check out the Honda FIT. Flat towable with no modifications with either the automatic or standard trans.

jimandsue60 · 10-19-2008, 09:07 AM

.

jimandsue60 · 10-19-2008, 09:08 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by jimandsue60:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by RVJeeper:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Captain Bud:
I don't think this is correct. You are not figuring in the chassis extensions. I would not exceed the MFG "Towing" recommendations, if it states 5000# then that is it.... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Well, the calculation method is correct but you're right that you need to make sure the rest of the chassis can stand the weight. I could be wrong (wouldn't be the first time!) but I haven't seen were there is a specific towing capacity published except as restricted by the tow hitch that's installed. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I agree your calculations would be correct.

The hitch (Valley)on my Vectra is rated for 1000 pounds tongue weight and 10000 pounds tow weight. In the manual and a sticker near the hitch Winnebago has it rated for only 500 pounds tongue weight with the same 10K tow weight. I don't know the reason?

Jim </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

tderonne · 10-19-2008, 09:54 AM

Recheck the weight of your SC400....

I bet 4800 is the maximum gross weight (with people and cargo).

It's curb weight is about 3700 pounds (thank you Google - is there anything it doesn't know?). Not that that helps much, I think a Featherlite trailer is about 1700 pounds. But a tow dolly could work, if you would want to go that way.

horatio54 · 10-19-2008, 10:24 AM

Thank You tderone!

I was getting a little bummed out because we wouldnt be able to take our toy with us ...dolly towing out of question ...little to no clearance and rear wheel drive ..your infgo brightened my day..with a small aluminum trailer and no extra weight we will make our limit easily

Stevegd007 · 10-20-2008, 07:05 AM

horatio54
I would also check with your Lexis dealer to double check if you could tow the Lexis 4 down. Ask others if they tow a Lexis and how they have the tow setup. The tow info "manics" all say my Honda Civic is not towable, but my dealer said it is, I now have like 20000 miles driving the 2006 Honda and my guess 18000 miles towing the Honda 4 down. Not a problem with a thing. Honda weighs about 3200 lbs.
Also a 4 down tow setup would cost around $1000 or less. A trailer may cost more. Towing 4 down is so much easier than messing with the trailers. That's why I got the motorhome in the first place, tired of trailers.
Good Luck!

Richard 34A · 10-20-2008, 01:24 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Stevegd007:
horatio54
I would also check with your Lexis dealer to double check if you could tow the Lexis 4 down. Ask others if they tow a Lexis and how they have the tow setup. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Neither Toyota or Lexus typically recommend or approve their vehicles for flat-towing, at least with an automatic transmission, though I have seen it done many times. That's not to say there aren't mechanical problems down the road or premature failure.

http://www.motorhomemagazine.com/dinghytowingguide/