Towing power of a class c

[DennisT]

Be interested to hear what it does for your rv

Our previous coach was a 2014 Forester 32 foot with the v10.

We added the five star tune to it.

Huge difference overall - much better pickup from a stop, more play before downshifting in the mountains and better speed. Well worth what we paid for it.

 

[GypsyR]

In my searching around for tow capacity limitations, I discovered the new C's have a higher capacity not because of the engine or any other modification to the structure. But a piece of insulation put over a transmission plug near the exhaust. I am having mine examined and possibly beefed up to pull just over the 5000 lb limit on mine. I have the insulation from RV work to fix that part.

What now? Insulation around the electrical plug is simply to protect it from the heat of the exhaust. Earlier ones probably didn't have it because it wasn't until some of them got miles put on them that the manufacturer realized there was a heat problem. I can't picture such having a single thing to do with tow capacity.

 

[TheLooks]

I am not the originator of the information but it is true. No changes were made to the E450 whatsoever except a piece of insulation. Naysay all you like. Running higher tow loads increased the exhaust temp and thus the insulation. The early E450's were underrated.

They modified the hitch by better welds etc. A number of people have mentioned in forums they have had their hitch either changed or beefed up.


Yes, Ford increased the Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) for the E450 chassis around 2010, which allowed manufacturers like Forest River to increase their tow ratings to 7,500 lbs without necessarily modifying the chassis frame or hitch.

• GCWR Adjustment: Industry discussions indicate that Ford increased the GCWR back in 2010, meaning the difference between the GCWR and the vehicle's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) naturally allowed for a higher tow capacity (e.g., 7,500 lbs).
• Manufacturer Implementation: While the chassis capacity increased, Forest River still had to upgrade the hitch from a 5,000 lb unit to a 7,500 lb unit and reinforce safety chain loops to officially sticker the motorhomes with the higher rating.
• Frame Design: Some models, such as the Sunseeker, utilize full frame extensions made of steel matching Ford's specifications, which supports the higher rating, but the primary driver for the rating increase was the chassis GCWR change rather than a fundamental frame redesign.

In summary, the tow rating increase was primarily due to Ford's chassis rating adjustment, but the final vehicle rating required the manufacturer to install a higher-rated hitch and perform minor reinforcements.

 

[d23haynes57]

There are many factors that determine a vehicles ability and limits for towing. Horsepower is just one small detail. The OP is referencing his current coach, a 1997 Tioga. I had a 1992 Tioga Arrow. There of the chassis was extended with bolt on frame extensions. Possibly the 97 is the same way. The 1992 was limited to 3,500 pounds despite the 5,000 pound hitch. The motorhome had some damage from towing. You knew it walking inside. It was obvious where the frame extensions began from the crease and tilt in the floor.
Flat towing 4 wheels down especially larger, heavier vehicles is much more stressful than just the weight. With the long overhang behind the rear axle the side forces can be brutal. Light vehicles with small tires are forgiving as the front tires can slide and scrub as needed. Front heavy vehicles something has to get stressed. Usually, the towing component and the frame, suspension of both vehicles. Looking for a class C for towing, look for longer wheelbases on shorter rigs and watch that the chassis frame makes it to the hitch. For the E-350, E450, the weak component is the rear axle. Good lubes, changed often.

 

[annmar]

Thanks