Which Class C do I need?

[Agent Smith]

Hello,

Which Class C would I need to tow a Tahoe, Suburban, Expedition, Yukon, Yukon XL?

I am in the market of buying a SUV and a Class C (used one).

Thank you.

 

[Mark_K5LXP]

Those SUV's are likely all over the 5K weight limit of many RV's, so a super-C on a truck chassis might be the class you're after.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

 

[Agent Smith]

a super-C on a truck chassis

I am new to this motorhome world. What is s super-C on a truck chassis?

 

[old RV guy]

I am new to this motorhome world. What is s super-C on a truck chassis?

Google it

 

[Agent Smith]

Darn. Price for used super c are very high.

 

[Mark_K5LXP]

Economy and RV are antithetical terms.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

 

[old RV guy]

Darn. Price for used super c are very high.

That's because the price of a new Super C is very high, but some of those dudes will pull a house down.

 

[Agent Smith]

Shall I go with a Class A instead? Can a Class A pull those SUVs?

 

[Mark_K5LXP]

That would put you into the diesel pusher realm. Gas class A's and C's are pretty much tapped out as they sit.

I wonder if a camper you can pull with an SUV would be a better fit for your mission.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

 

[Agent Smith]

OK. So a Class A diesel would be able to tow a Suburban?

 

[old RV guy]

OK. So a Class A diesel would be able to tow a Suburban?

There's class A FE (Front Engine) and DP (Diesel Pusher) where the engine is in the rear. The class A, DP is more often going to have the greater towing capacity of the two.

 

[Agent Smith]

Thank you.

 

[Tom]

OK. So a Class A diesel would be able to tow a Suburban?

Check the towing capacity and other specs before you buy. We towed a Suburban with our 38 foot Monaco DP (Cummins 350HP engine) for years before we switched to an Explorer. Traveled across the US multiple times and made one trip to the Maritimes.

 

[Kirk]

So a Class A diesel would be able to tow a Suburban?

The SUVs that you are looking at will weigh around 6,000 pounds, empty weight. Any motorized RV will have a maximum towing weight as well as a maximum combined weight, by design. The hitches that are installed on them also have weight limits. You need to check out the limitations of the RVs involved. The other part of the equation, can the SUV that you want be towed on it's wheels as built, and if not what must be done to tow it? Keep in mind that just because you can tow something and even if someone else does so, that does not make it safe to do. Some people take risks for years without bad results, while other die in a crash.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Hello,

Which Class C would I need to tow a Tahoe, Suburban, Expedition, Yukon, Yukon XL?

I am in the market of buying a SUV and a Class C (used one).

Thank you.

Any on the Ford E450 van chassis should be able to tow as much as 7500 lbs. That's most C's above about 25 ft in length ( the shorter ones typically use the E350 van as the base). C's using the Ram ProMaster van as the base will be less, but probably still sufficient.
Take a look at Thor Four winds, Chateau & Quantum, Winnebago Minnie Winnie & spirit, Jayco and others.

 

[HueyPilotVN]

I have a Class C E 450 Thor that Tows a Jeep Commander

of about the same size easily.

It's for sale at a bargain as I just bought a Dp and selling it for 20K less than I spent on It in the last 9 months I have owned it. message me if Interesred with phone number and I will give you the details

Sorry typing on finger on phone

 

[grashley]

Any on the Ford E450 van chassis should be able to tow as much as 7500 lbs. That's most C's above about 25 ft in length ( the shorter ones typically use the E350 van as the base). C's using the Ram ProMaster van as the base will be less, but probably still sufficient.
Take a look at Thor Four winds, Chateau & Quantum, Winnebago Minnie Winnie & spirit, Jayco and others.

Any Mercedes chassis is a non starter. Likewise shorter Class C on an E350 or 3500 chassis will lack the tow capacity. Check the specs on any E450 or 4500 chassis. They should be okay, but check. The big, beautiful, expensive truck chassis units will pull almost anything.

NOTE GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) is the most the camper can weigh fully loaded including fuel, water, supplies, and passengers. This includes weight on the tongue.

GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating) is the most the camper AND towed vehicles / trailers can weigh

The most weight you can tow is GCWR MINUS the actual scaled weight of your fully loaded ready to travel camper.

 

[Laura & Charles]

Our first coach was a 38’ gasser class A. That’s about as big as a class comes. We dinghy towed a couple small SUVs that weighed well under 4,000 lbs BUT, we used them as a trailer and carried enough gear in them (as well as in our coach) that I’m pretty sure we were overweight.
We picked that coach knowing it was our starter rig and that, in a few years, we’d either get something bigger or quit being nomads. After a bit over 3.5 years, we traded for our current rig. Basically, we decided to get something big enough that we wouldn’t really need to be much concerned with weight again. Fully loaded we clock in @ about 42-43,000 lbs with just the coach. The toad adds about another 5,000 lbs. (also using as a trailer). I wouldn’t hesitate to pull a bigger toad. She’s slow off the line and slow up a grade; but she’s always got us where I’ve pointed her.
My experience has been, in the used market, comparing equal aged/condition Super Cs vs diesel pusher As, you’ll find more DPs to choose from and at less prices.
I have no doubt others won’t agree, but it seems to me, what you’re seeking will require a DP A or a Super C… imo, you can find more selection with a DP A… and more selection = more motivated sellers.

 

[CharlesinGA]

In the 2019 Ford RV & Trailer Towing Guide for the E series the following is given.
E-SERIES
Cutaway and Stripped Chassis
Maximum Trailer Weight = GCWR – Vehicle GVW or 10,000 pounds, whichever is less.

E-350 Super Duty Cutaway
SRW GCWRs:– 6.2L V8/6R140 – 13,000 lbs.
– 6.8L V10/6R140 – 18,500 lbs.

E-350 Super Duty Cutaway
DRW GCWRs:
– 6.2L V8/6R140 – 17,000 lbs.
– 6.8L V10/6R140 – 18,500 lbs.

E-450 Super Duty Cutaway GCWRs:
– 6.2L V8/6R140 – 18,000 lbs.
– 6.8L V10/6R140 – 22,000 lbs.

The shorter, lighter the MH, the more it can tow.

Charles