Learicald
Fort Myers
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Joined: 02/01/2012
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I have a very low mileage '99 Coach House 192KS and have finally decided to tow a trailer/pop up, as opposed to a vehicle, for mobility when in an rv park. Any suggestions as to what would be good? I have a 10k tow rating, but don't want something longer/taller than I'm driving. I'm in FL, if that makes a difference. tya
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ffjeff
Coloma, CA
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Joined: 09/30/2006
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We towed a Starcraft Pop-up. But really like the Aliner's. So strong and colder weather warm. They are pretty popular here in CA. Usually stacked with bikes or kayaks.
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Islandman
NW Washington
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Joined: 02/18/2007
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The 10,000 lb tow rating sounds real high, usually after you deduct the dry curb weight of the vehicle and add in the passengers and stuff you'll be carrying, there's not much weight allowance left to safely tow (and stop in emergency situations). Need to be careful that you don't damage the transmission and other mechanicals.
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Sebtown
Sonoma County CA
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Joined: 08/07/2011
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I towed a Starcraft tent trailer with my Ford Conversion van 351w motor all over No California and Oregon. It towed like butter! and that was with the van fully loaded with 2 adults, two childern, 4 bicycles and a canoe on top. Weigh your B loaded, the way you travel, and pay attention to the towing weigh found on the sticker on the drivers door jamb.
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rvhippo
USA
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Joined: 12/08/2011
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Tow rating is usually not the limitation. The limitation will be your payload rating (GVWR).
I looked at many class-B's for towing and can't get around the payload problem. Putting in all the coach equipment adds about 2500 to 3000 lbs to the E350 chassis, which puts it right up against its GVWR (9000-9600lbs). A 10,000 lbs trailer will have 1,500 lbs tongue weight. I can't find a fully self-contained class-B that has that much spare payload capacity.
I think Great West Van's Titan has the payload capacity since it's based on a E450 DRW, but they won't answer my email or telephone calls to confirm it.
I don't think you'll have any problems towing a small trailer, but 10,000 lbs is too much (even if you can get zero tongue weight, you still have to check GCVWR).
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loggenrock
New Hampshire
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Joined: 06/28/2007
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Sounds like a pretty fancy tow vehicle for a pop-up!!! Another option to consider, if you want more mobility once "settled in", is to RENT a car at your destination. It will take a LOT of $50 days for a rental to begin to equal the cost of any camp trailer - pop-up or hardsided, not to mention the extra fuel consumption you will experience while travelling with a trailer in tow. just something to consider! ST
2003 Roadtrek 190P Chevy 3500, and a pair of Limmers...
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Handbasket
Asheville, NC
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Joined: 01/17/2003
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I'm curious about the source of the '10K tow rating'. Be sure it's not just for the bare van before conversion, and doesn't have some cautionary wording attached about nothing in the van except for driver & minimal fuel. Just guessing, is this on a 1-ton Dodge Ram Van?
Also, you may find that some CG's have rules that would make this 'iffy'. I don't stay in CG's much, but I've seen the wording "no more than one camping unit per site" at least a few times. I suspect that if it's just you or two, you might be able to negotiate this, but it'd be an uncertainty, and extra hassle in getting checked in. Sometimes you'll find an employee behind the counter who's totally rule-bound, either by his boss's orders, or his own lack of intellect or natural surliness.
Jim, "Mo' coffee!"
'06 Tiger CX 'C Minus' on a Silverado 2500HD 4x4, 8.1 & Allison (aka 'Loafer's Glory') www.tigervehicles.com
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