New member says hi and I have some questions!

[AbdRahim]

The other thing to consider is it may take time before something actually fails as a result. That being said, I would not want the legal liability if an accident were to occur (maybe not attributable to your vehicle) and you have to face a lawyer, in court, who discovers your vehicle was over its legal limits. And, of course the insurance company who will not cover a vehicle so modified. Many things to consider.

 

["EZ"]

The other thing to consider is it may take time before something actually fails as a result. That being said, I would not want the legal liability if an accident were to occur (maybe not attributable to your vehicle) and you have to face a lawyer, in court, who discovers your vehicle was over its legal limits. And, of course the insurance company who will not cover a vehicle so modified. Many things to consider.

It's a class 4 commercial chassis. Most class 4 chassis have an 18,500 lb. Towing Rating. Not sure about RV's because I'm in the commercial truck industry and not the RV industry but even if they de-rated class 4 RV towing ratings for some reason from 18,500 lbs. to say 12,000 lbs. it would still be TWICE the capacity he needs for his 6000 lb. Jeep. With these kind of safety margins I think he's OK as long as a competent hitch installer does his job correctly.

 

[Tioga Bob]

Let me know if you have any questions. I'll be glad to help.

What a great forum thanks "EZ" for the solid information and thank you everyone sharing your thoughts and knowledge.

I will keep in mind the cautions and issues and will do my best to try to do the right thing. I will start a thread on this build and keep you informed.

 

[PartTimeRVer]

Hello Tioga Bob, I see you have a lot of great information here. I drive a 25' Thor and tow a ram 1500 4x4. This is a 5700lb vehicle. I can haul this up the Cajon Pass in California without an issue. I have weighed both my motorhome loaded with fuel, water and everything I drag along. I weighed the truck with fuel. I am well withing my GVWR.
Most states will require a vehicle that large to have its own seperate breaking system and break away system as I am sure you are aware. I would also add a trac bar if you do not have one already. Your question is can it be done? Sure, if you throw enough money at it. You mentioned your wife is willing to be a chase vehicle and that is a great idea. Wish my wife would 6400 lbs is a lot of weight. I could still haul this right now as I have room but would be right at my limit. I have a 8k tow hitch and use 10k tow bar. I always go overboard with what I can haul.

 

[Tioga Bob]

Hello Tioga Bob, I see you have a lot of great information here. I drive a 25' Thor and tow a ram 1500 4x4. This is a 5700lb vehicle. I can haul this up the Cajon Pass in California without an issue. I have weighed both my motorhome loaded with fuel, water and everything I drag along. I weighed the truck with fuel. I am well withing my GVWR.
Most states will require a vehicle that large to have its own seperate breaking system and break away system as I am sure you are aware. I would also add a trac bar if you do not have one already. Your question is can it be done? Sure, if you throw enough money at it. You mentioned your wife is willing to be a chase vehicle and that is a great idea. Wish my wife would 6400 lbs is a lot of weight. I could still haul this right now as I have room but would be right at my limit. I have a 8k tow hitch and use 10k tow bar. I always go overboard with what I can haul.

Hey PartTimeRVer,
I have added track bars, stronger sway bars, front end work to the RV and she handles well now. Tires are fairly new and brakes have been checked as good. Engine and transmission are working excellent and milage is relatively low. All the fluids are changed on time. I do have all the required tow paraphernalia including an RVi3. We have towed a 4300 lb TJ around the west for several years and have experience with towing. I'm have a fair amount of mechanical experience and awareness and keep the rig in good running shape. We pack our rig light and understand the weight issues.

Notable facts for the build I propose. Below is the manufacturers stats for the 31 foot version of my model. My RV is a 26 footer and interestingly my GVWR placard is listed as the same. My rig is sure to be lighter as I have 5 feet less structure at the back. That give me more tow capacity wieght wise. Also the 26 foot rig's frame extension is shorter than the one listed and probably handles the stress for towing better. The tow capacity is listed as 5k and I'm wanting to go only 1600 more lbs. My plan to add frame support and an upgraded hitch makes this idea of towing my Jeep a good possibility to be within the proper weight and safety issues.

I have 3 shops now that I have talked to but everyone is shutting down for the holidays so this job will be delayed until January. All the shops say this job is not unusual and relatively standard work. I am feeling confident this is going to work and work well.

Specs for 2008 Fleetwood - Tioga Ranger
Floorplan: 31W
(Class C)​

Towing Capacity 5,000 lbs
GVWR 14,050 lbs.

PIC - Camping in the Alabama Hills near Lone Pine in the Eastern Sierra, Mount Whitney in the back ground

​

 

[PartTimeRVer]

Hey PartTimeRVer,
I have added track bars, stronger sway bars, front end work to the RV and she handles well now. Tires are fairly new and brakes have been checked as good. Engine and transmission are working excellent and milage is relatively low. All the fluids are changed on time. I do have all the required tow paraphernalia including an RVi3. We have towed a 4300 lb TJ around the west for several years and have experience with towing. I'm have a fair amount of mechanical experience and awareness and keep the rig in good running shape. We pack our rig light and understand the weight issues.

Notable facts for the build I propose. Below is the manufacturers stats for the 31 foot version of my model. My RV is a 26 footer and interestingly my GVWR placard is listed as the same. My rig is sure to be lighter as I have 5 feet less structure at the back. That give me more tow capacity wieght wise. Also the 26 foot rig's frame extension is shorter than the one listed and probably handles the stress for towing better. The tow capacity is listed as 5k and I'm wanting to go only 1600 more lbs. My plan to add frame support and an upgraded hitch makes this idea of towing my Jeep a good possibility to be within the proper weight and safety issues.

I have 3 shops now that I have talked to but everyone is shutting down for the holidays so this job will be delayed until January. All the shops say this job is not unusual and relatively standard work. I am feeling confident this is going to work and work well.

Specs for 2008 Fleetwood - Tioga Ranger​

Floorplan: 31W​

(Class C)​

Towing Capacity 5,000 lbs​

GVWR 14,050 lbs.​

​

PIC - Camping in the Alabama Hills near Lone Pine in the Eastern Sierra, Mount Whitney in the back ground​

​

​

Wow! You have done some work. LOL. Your suspension upgrades sound the same as mine trac bar, sway bar, steering etc. It also sounds like you shortened the unit? Very cool. Yeah man as long as you verify the weights and rear structural is up to spec you should be golden. Good luck!

 

[Tioga Bob]

Wow! You have done some work. LOL. Your suspension upgrades sound the same as mine trac bar, sway bar, steering etc. It also sounds like you shortened the unit? Very cool. Yeah man as long as you verify the weights and rear structural is up to spec you should be golden. Good luck!

I must have not been clear on that point. My rig is and always has been 26 feet, I have never altered it... but the manufacture's placards are the same for my 26 footer as a 31 footer. I might need to recheck that but think it is right. If so then the manufactures gross weights are generalized and not specific per model.

 

[PartTimeRVer]

OK sorry I read to fast as I was leaving for work. I do see your vehicle says 5k towing which seems very absolute. Not sure if thats the tow hitch it came with or what? My 26' came with an 8k hitch with me getting weights and doing math to figure out my GCWR which is 22k. Yours of course seems to be 19,050. We both seem to have 14,500 gvwr. So it sounds like you are on the correct path. Just load up your Tioga with everything you need and weigh it. Not sure what your scale situation is. I don't have your exact specs but your engine and tranny definately seem up to the task. Seems just to be your hitch and a double check of your frame but your on an e450 and you are all over that. That toad looks like a fun ride.