How much HP/TQ to tow a stacker?

[Mike Pearson]

Originally Posted by BillyRyan

Trying to find someone with experience towing a stacker with 2 cars and a motorhome. How much HP / Tq did you have to tow comfortably? My trailer is a 24ft aluminum stacker. It weighs 8700 empty. 2 cars and a Zuma in it plus misc tools and stuff. Probably looking at 15-16k I’d say. I believe the 350 Cummins have 1050tq and the 400 have 1200. Has anyone towed a similar trailer with a 350? If so how did it do? The 350 engines are much more abundant than the 400 in my price range. Would hate to buy a 350 if a 400 would be a lot better
Thanks
Billy

The 350 hp would do the job if your weight estimation is correct. I have a toter with 330 hp and I pull a 40 ft gooseneck non stacker at about the same weight as your trailer is expected to be. Tows nice at 65mph and gets about 7.5-8 mpg. The 400 hp would for sure be better if you can find one. Toter type RV is better to tow with than a diesel pusher MH.

[jmcarter]

Toters and Super C’s are tuned for TQ rather than HP and of course have much higher hitch ratings. Think we’ve all seen some hefty trailers on hitches rated for 12 or even 10K. Mike can share what happened to one of his buddies on Jellico Mountain, scary stuff.

[BillyRyan]

Thanks for all the replies. I ended up finding and purchasing a 2004 travel supreme with the 8.9 400 Cummins. Pick it up this weekend so I guess we’ll see how it does when I get it home. I think and am hoping it will do good.

[Rob Petrie E395]

I just saw this. But I have a 09 Haulmark/Freighliner toterhome with a Cummins ISC 330 (330hp/1000tq) in it. That is bone stock no tuner no nothing. I pull a 44’ GN stacker trailer. I’ve had both my 4th gen Firebird Racecars in it plus my C6 Corvette, a golf cart and all the normal crap you take to the racetrack. And it goes just fine. Crazy part is at 75 mph (where the limiter is set). It gets the exact same fuel mileage with it without the trailer behind it. You’re not going to run 75 up Monteagle or the WV toll road. But it will go up it just slower. You have another 100hp and another 255 of torque. I’d say you’ll be good.