Class C pulling trailer ?

rod · 08-16-2020, 10:56 PM

I bought a 24' Class C Chevy 3500 [1 ton] with a 454/4L85 OD and a 4.10 rear. it has 45K on the speedo. very nice condition. it has a factory receiver hitch. because its a 1 ton, it sets pretty high.

I am wondering if it would pull a car/trailer combo which would be about 5000 lbs with support stuff. the [open] trailer tows great behind my 95 Chevy 2500 Suburban. but the MH weights about 5K more.

would be nice for 2 or 3 day races.
thoughts?
thanks Rod in AZ

1matcoman · 08-17-2020, 10:11 AM

Rod, as long as you realize, (and I am sure that you do) that it won't be speed demon, you'll be fine. I know several racers who tow with a C class coach.

I would most definitely have a hitch shop, or a qualified welder, beef up the hitch assembly by welding some extra brackets and gussets to the rear of the frame.

Keith 944 · 08-17-2020, 10:29 AM

I don’t believe you’ll have any issues with an open trailer

Steve Polhill · 08-17-2020, 11:02 AM

It will have the towing capacity, your top speed with likely be 65mph. and get the hitched looked at. A lot of those class C motorhomes the hitch was attached to frame extensions that weren't as robust as the regular frame. It will likely need to be reinforced to tow an enclosed. Also use a good weight distribution hitch. Or depending on the rear over hang maybe look into a trailer Toad.

Mike Pearson · 08-17-2020, 02:10 PM

Should have plenty of power to pull that set up. Like others have said get the hitch on the coach checked to see if the structure will handle the weight. One thing about motorhomes like that is the distance from the hitch ball to the rear axle centerline is long and can make them ill handling especially when its windy or a big truck passes you. other than that a motor home is the only way to go on overnight race trips. They are really nice to travel in.

Rich Biebel · 08-18-2020, 07:29 AM

I have a 25' Class C....Ford E-450 V10 tows my enclosed trailer fine...
Pulls any hill and stops well with the big brakes it has. 4 wheel discs....

You need a good hitch with WD and sway control and I reinforced the rear frame and hitch on my MH.....also added air bags.

I can go 75 on the NJTP to Atco and back from North NJ....

08-16-2020, 10:56 PM	#1
rod Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Kingman, NW AZ. in the middle of the longest stretch of Route 66 Posts: 307 Likes: 0 Liked 17 Times in 13 Posts	Class C pulling trailer ? I bought a 24' Class C Chevy 3500 [1 ton] with a 454/4L85 OD and a 4.10 rear. it has 45K on the speedo. very nice condition. it has a factory receiver hitch. because its a 1 ton, it sets pretty high. I am wondering if it would pull a car/trailer combo which would be about 5000 lbs with support stuff. the [open] trailer tows great behind my 95 Chevy 2500 Suburban. but the MH weights about 5K more. would be nice for 2 or 3 day races. thoughts? thanks Rod in AZ

08-17-2020, 10:11 AM	#2
1matcoman Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 305 Likes: 490 Liked 281 Times in 111 Posts	Re: Class C pulling trailer ? Rod, as long as you realize, (and I am sure that you do) that it won't be speed demon, you'll be fine. I know several racers who tow with a C class coach. I would most definitely have a hitch shop, or a qualified welder, beef up the hitch assembly by welding some extra brackets and gussets to the rear of the frame.

08-17-2020, 10:29 AM	#3
Keith 944 VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Dela-where? Posts: 2,116 Likes: 1,004 Liked 1,649 Times in 521 Posts	Re: Class C pulling trailer ? I don’t believe you’ll have any issues with an open trailer __________________ KEITH MAYERS 2 X somebody many X nobody

08-17-2020, 11:02 AM	#4
Steve Polhill Senior Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: London Ontario Posts: 515 Likes: 40 Liked 262 Times in 74 Posts	Re: Class C pulling trailer ? It will have the towing capacity, your top speed with likely be 65mph. and get the hitched looked at. A lot of those class C motorhomes the hitch was attached to frame extensions that weren't as robust as the regular frame. It will likely need to be reinforced to tow an enclosed. Also use a good weight distribution hitch. Or depending on the rear over hang maybe look into a trailer Toad. __________________ Steve Polhill 3520 STOCK, COMP Last edited by Steve Polhill; 08-23-2020 at 03:08 PM.

08-17-2020, 02:10 PM	#5
Mike Pearson VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,321 Likes: 546 Liked 1,629 Times in 502 Posts	Re: Class C pulling trailer ? Should have plenty of power to pull that set up. Like others have said get the hitch on the coach checked to see if the structure will handle the weight. One thing about motorhomes like that is the distance from the hitch ball to the rear axle centerline is long and can make them ill handling especially when its windy or a big truck passes you. other than that a motor home is the only way to go on overnight race trips. They are really nice to travel in. __________________ Mike Pearson 2485 SS

08-18-2020, 07:29 AM	#6
Rich Biebel VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern New Jersey suburbs Posts: 2,275 Likes: 25 Liked 510 Times in 200 Posts	Re: Class C pulling trailer ? I have a 25' Class C....Ford E-450 V10 tows my enclosed trailer fine... Pulls any hill and stops well with the big brakes it has. 4 wheel discs.... You need a good hitch with WD and sway control and I reinforced the rear frame and hitch on my MH.....also added air bags. I can go 75 on the NJTP to Atco and back from North NJ.... __________________ Rich Biebel S/C 1479