Motorhome help

hotrod · 11-09-2008, 02:13 PM

What would be the max size trailer u would pull with this motorhome Class A 2000 Thor Infinity 30' has the triton gas V10 engine, has the towing package, Guys @ the dealership tells me that "ALL" motorhomes should not pull no more then 5000 # ......I'm lookin into pullin a New 24' trailer that weighs Aprox. 3200# ,plus the racecar that weighs 2300#,plus tools & a few parts, and also a new ezgo golf cart that i don't know how much weighs, with this motorhome......Does this sound like to much to be pullin with this motorhome ??? Thanks Guys

Freddie · 11-09-2008, 02:42 PM

The reason most RV dealers say not to pull over 5000# is the hitch system on most RV's are crap. If you can get it beefed up or supported it will hold fine. I have a 32' Coachman with the 460, it has the Banks exauhst kit on it, and the Banks cold air intake system, we haul a 30' Cargo Mate, with our 3000# Mustang, 4 wheeler, Jr. Dragster, tools, and all the other stuff needed to spend the weekend racing. Have not had any issues towing at all. All I did was re-enforce the hitch area of the motorhome, ours actually drives better towing than it does without.

Bob Verwold · 11-09-2008, 03:15 PM

The E Z Go weighs 690 lbs dry. No help on the motor home as I use a tk.

BAS Racing · 11-09-2008, 04:05 PM

I have a 2005 30 foot Damon with the Ford V10. I tow a 28 foot Haulmark with my 3300# race car, golf cart, junior dragster, tools, parts, etc. Make sure you have the hitch reinforced. Also, I got a Trailer Toad last year and it makes a hugh difference. I travel about 17,000 miles a year with mine and have over 50,000 miles on it now. Motorhome pulls and stops fine.

11-09-2008, 04:33 PM

I would be more concerned with the transmission. I have a 1999 Gulf Stream model, 35' with the Triton v10. I am on my 3rd transmission with only 45K miles on the coach. All I have ever towed is a Ford f-150 behind or an Olds Silhouette. Last time transmission was replaced the commercial Ford dealer in NC said the transmission used in my Ford chassis was the same as used in the Ford Expedition. Way undersized for the RV application. You also have to take into consideration the weight of fuel, water, and any gear you carry in the RV itself. Now I am so paranoid I don't even tow a vehicle behind. I would check what transmission is in that chassis, as it could very well be the junk I have in mine!

Jason Oldfield · 11-10-2008, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freddie

it has the Banks exauhst kit on it, and the Banks cold air intake system

Was it worth it? I've been toying with the idea of putting a Banks system on my 454 RV for a couple of years. I'd love to hear a glowing review.

Also, I'll raise my hand as a guy with tranny issues as well. I've had no problem with the hitch area of my RV since the dealer reinforced it for me when I bought it. But, at about 35,000 miles it started showing signs of tranny issues, and it's on it's last legs now. I'll be taking this thing over to Competition Transmissions in the near future to have them make it bullet-proof for me.

hotrod · 11-10-2008, 06:56 PM

So, How about Distribution Bars, Would they help to prolong the life of the tranny ???? Just asking before i buy this kinda stuff

11-10-2008, 08:15 PM

The ford v10 powerwise is fine except for large mountians, our first trans was bad instantly when new,
we made them put in a new unit and not fix the one that came out, now 62,000 miles later no problems.
we run synthetic fluid in motor and transmission.we have a tag axle and stops excellent.we tow a 28' and1' extra tall haulmark edge tri axle.handles and drives well.don't know trailer weight but its heavy,we sell parts and race.hitch we had reinforced as well.just watch for the air filter getting wet in hard rain.
you should be fine go have some fun and good luck. Ray Fordyce jr

ps. carry a spare coil pack

Bill Harris · 11-10-2008, 08:49 PM

I have a 30' 2004 Georgie Boy with the V10 and E4OD trans pulling a 24' Haulmark with all my junk and it does just fine. The Ford MH chassis is rated at 26000 GCWR, which is the MH and trailer combined weight. My MH, totally loaded, is less than 16,000 and the trailer and all the junk is right about 9K. Last time on the scales loaded with my "crew", fuel and water, it was right about 24K. The V10 does remarkably well. You'll just have to get used to the engine screaming at 4500 RPMs when it is really working hard but it will suprise you at how well it pulls.

You really have to pay attention to the hitch and what it is attached to. A lot depends on the wheelbase of the chassis on your box. If you have a short wheelbase then the OEM chassis gets extended by the coach mfg. This can be a recipe for disaster since a lot of times the material used for the extension is lighter weight than the OEM chassis and fabricated by some high school kid. Ultimately the hitch is connected to the chassis and if it is through weak frame extensions it is never going to be right.

When I went shopping for a box I searched until I found one that did not have any frame extensions and the hitch (Reese) was welded directly to the OEM chassis. I then had it reinforced further with some additional gussets. You MUST use a weight distribution hitch. I also added the dual-cam style sway bar. This setup is fairly expensive but it is worth it's weight in gold. The trailer is rock steady behind the MH and after a while you almost forget it's there. Look at a setup like this:
http://www.drawtite-hitches.com/prod...und_Bars,66078

I have never used a Trailer Toad but except for sway, it looks like it would be a nice setup too. It would certainly help keep the tongue weight to a minimum.

I fiddled with the placement of my car in the trailer to get the best tongue weight. I also added the Firestone air bags to the rear suspension which was a very noticable improvement too. They are cheap and really easy to install yourself on the Ford MH.

I have not had any trans problems although it doesn't suprise me to hear that others have. The E4OD/4R100 is essentially a C6 with an overdrive. It is a very stout unit and rated at 1000 ft/lbs of torque. It is the same trans they put behind the Powerstroke diesel for many years. Even so, I plan on adding a trans temp gauge and maybe a deep aluminum pan which adds six quarts. Heat is the trans killer and when the converter unlocks and your pulling a big hill, it's gonna get HOT.

Forget about gas mileage. I get 6 to 6.5 MPG when hauling the trailer. I have read a lot about the banks kit for the V10 and supposedly it really helps with pulling power, but does nothing for fuel mileage, which seems reasonable to me. You gotta burn fuel to make power. Pricey package though. I've been tempted, but haven't done it.

Watch those frame extensions..!!!!

Good luck

curtis hieb · 11-10-2008, 11:29 PM

I have a 29 ft 2003 with work horse chassis 8.1 liter it works well, i get 71/2 mpg. All i have done to it was put some magna flow mufflers on it what a difference, I pull a 28 ft Vintage trailer in over drive it runs about 2500 rpms at 70 mph. Not very often do I have to use 3rd gear maybe in high head wind.

11-09-2008, 02:13 PM	#1
hotrod Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Walterboro S.C. Posts: 11 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Motorhome help What would be the max size trailer u would pull with this motorhome Class A 2000 Thor Infinity 30' has the triton gas V10 engine, has the towing package, Guys @ the dealership tells me that "ALL" motorhomes should not pull no more then 5000 # ......I'm lookin into pullin a New 24' trailer that weighs Aprox. 3200# ,plus the racecar that weighs 2300#,plus tools & a few parts, and also a new ezgo golf cart that i don't know how much weighs, with this motorhome......Does this sound like to much to be pullin with this motorhome ??? Thanks Guys

11-09-2008, 02:42 PM	#2
Freddie Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Tampa Fla / Anderson SC Posts: 334 Likes: 12 Liked 3 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Motorhome help The reason most RV dealers say not to pull over 5000# is the hitch system on most RV's are crap. If you can get it beefed up or supported it will hold fine. I have a 32' Coachman with the 460, it has the Banks exauhst kit on it, and the Banks cold air intake system, we haul a 30' Cargo Mate, with our 3000# Mustang, 4 wheeler, Jr. Dragster, tools, and all the other stuff needed to spend the weekend racing. Have not had any issues towing at all. All I did was re-enforce the hitch area of the motorhome, ours actually drives better towing than it does without. __________________ NHRA: Comp 2200 - S/C 2201 NMRA 2012 Outlaw 10.5 #10

11-09-2008, 03:15 PM	#3
Bob Verwold Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Fayetteville Ohio Posts: 656 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Motorhome help The E Z Go weighs 690 lbs dry. No help on the motor home as I use a tk.

11-09-2008, 04:05 PM	#4
BAS Racing Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 15 Likes: 0 Liked 6 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Motorhome help I have a 2005 30 foot Damon with the Ford V10. I tow a 28 foot Haulmark with my 3300# race car, golf cart, junior dragster, tools, parts, etc. Make sure you have the hitch reinforced. Also, I got a Trailer Toad last year and it makes a hugh difference. I travel about 17,000 miles a year with mine and have over 50,000 miles on it now. Motorhome pulls and stops fine.

11-09-2008, 04:33 PM	#5
winstonindy Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Motorhome help I would be more concerned with the transmission. I have a 1999 Gulf Stream model, 35' with the Triton v10. I am on my 3rd transmission with only 45K miles on the coach. All I have ever towed is a Ford f-150 behind or an Olds Silhouette. Last time transmission was replaced the commercial Ford dealer in NC said the transmission used in my Ford chassis was the same as used in the Ford Expedition. Way undersized for the RV application. You also have to take into consideration the weight of fuel, water, and any gear you carry in the RV itself. Now I am so paranoid I don't even tow a vehicle behind. I would check what transmission is in that chassis, as it could very well be the junk I have in mine!

11-10-2008, 06:56 PM	#7
hotrod Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Walterboro S.C. Posts: 11 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Motorhome help So, How about Distribution Bars, Would they help to prolong the life of the tranny ???? Just asking before i buy this kinda stuff

11-10-2008, 08:15 PM	#8
diceman1530 Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Motorhome help The ford v10 powerwise is fine except for large mountians, our first trans was bad instantly when new, we made them put in a new unit and not fix the one that came out, now 62,000 miles later no problems. we run synthetic fluid in motor and transmission.we have a tag axle and stops excellent.we tow a 28' and1' extra tall haulmark edge tri axle.handles and drives well.don't know trailer weight but its heavy,we sell parts and race.hitch we had reinforced as well.just watch for the air filter getting wet in hard rain. you should be fine go have some fun and good luck. Ray Fordyce jr ps. carry a spare coil pack

11-10-2008, 08:49 PM	#9
Bill Harris Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ooltewah, TN Posts: 421 Likes: 13 Liked 26 Times in 13 Posts	Re: Motorhome help I have a 30' 2004 Georgie Boy with the V10 and E4OD trans pulling a 24' Haulmark with all my junk and it does just fine. The Ford MH chassis is rated at 26000 GCWR, which is the MH and trailer combined weight. My MH, totally loaded, is less than 16,000 and the trailer and all the junk is right about 9K. Last time on the scales loaded with my "crew", fuel and water, it was right about 24K. The V10 does remarkably well. You'll just have to get used to the engine screaming at 4500 RPMs when it is really working hard but it will suprise you at how well it pulls. You really have to pay attention to the hitch and what it is attached to. A lot depends on the wheelbase of the chassis on your box. If you have a short wheelbase then the OEM chassis gets extended by the coach mfg. This can be a recipe for disaster since a lot of times the material used for the extension is lighter weight than the OEM chassis and fabricated by some high school kid. Ultimately the hitch is connected to the chassis and if it is through weak frame extensions it is never going to be right. When I went shopping for a box I searched until I found one that did not have any frame extensions and the hitch (Reese) was welded directly to the OEM chassis. I then had it reinforced further with some additional gussets. You MUST use a weight distribution hitch. I also added the dual-cam style sway bar. This setup is fairly expensive but it is worth it's weight in gold. The trailer is rock steady behind the MH and after a while you almost forget it's there. Look at a setup like this: http://www.drawtite-hitches.com/prod...und_Bars,66078 I have never used a Trailer Toad but except for sway, it looks like it would be a nice setup too. It would certainly help keep the tongue weight to a minimum. I fiddled with the placement of my car in the trailer to get the best tongue weight. I also added the Firestone air bags to the rear suspension which was a very noticable improvement too. They are cheap and really easy to install yourself on the Ford MH. I have not had any trans problems although it doesn't suprise me to hear that others have. The E4OD/4R100 is essentially a C6 with an overdrive. It is a very stout unit and rated at 1000 ft/lbs of torque. It is the same trans they put behind the Powerstroke diesel for many years. Even so, I plan on adding a trans temp gauge and maybe a deep aluminum pan which adds six quarts. Heat is the trans killer and when the converter unlocks and your pulling a big hill, it's gonna get HOT. Forget about gas mileage. I get 6 to 6.5 MPG when hauling the trailer. I have read a lot about the banks kit for the V10 and supposedly it really helps with pulling power, but does nothing for fuel mileage, which seems reasonable to me. You gotta burn fuel to make power. Pricey package though. I've been tempted, but haven't done it. Watch those frame extensions..!!!! Good luck __________________ Bill Harris ex 2172 STK ex 2272 S/S

11-10-2008, 11:29 PM	#10
curtis hieb Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 125 Likes: 5 Liked 9 Times in 8 Posts	Re: Motorhome help I have a 29 ft 2003 with work horse chassis 8.1 liter it works well, i get 71/2 mpg. All i have done to it was put some magna flow mufflers on it what a difference, I pull a 28 ft Vintage trailer in over drive it runs about 2500 rpms at 70 mph. Not very often do I have to use 3rd gear maybe in high head wind.