Towing with a Class B motorhome

Glenn Briglio · 03-17-2019, 05:06 PM

Anyone use a Class B motorhome to tow a 24foot aluminum enclosed trailer? It's based on a Ford E350 dual rear wheel chassis with a 6.8l V10.

jmcarter · 03-17-2019, 05:33 PM

Glenn, think you mean Class C but you might contact Jim Wahl because he towed his enclosed featherlight with a E350 and had handling issues. Think the E350 is only rated to tow 7500 at most so a reinforced hitch would be in order and if working with one of the really long Class C’s with a wacky wheelbase/total length ratio then it isn’t advised. Successful towing with a Class C often means having it aligned with the aft end weighted to simulate the higher tongue weight of a trailer and some special helper springs. IRV2.com is a good resource, lots of Class C’s out there pulling trailers that aren’t racers. With that I yield to those with first hand experience...

Keith 944 · 03-17-2019, 05:58 PM

Had an E-450 23’ class c with v-10 towed great not much overhang and I did use a trailer toad. I was towing a heavy 30’ triple axle steel pace. Thing I don’t like about a class c is your vision may only be to the vehicle ahead of you because you are driving a van. Class A sits driver high enough to see over quite a few cars ahead. Anyway with the weight your going to tow I would say you will be fine

Dave Turner · 03-17-2019, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmcarter

Glenn, think you mean Class C but you might contact Jim Wahl because he towed his enclosed featherlight with a E350 and had handling issues. Think the E350 is only rated to tow 7500 at most so a reinforced hitch would be in order and if working with one of the really long Class C’s with a wacky wheelbase/total length ratio then it isn’t advised. Successful towing with a Class C often means having it aligned with the aft end weighted to simulate the higher tongue weight of a trailer and some special helper springs. IRV2.com is a good resource, lots of Class C’s out there pulling trailers that aren’t racers. With that I yield to those with first hand experience...

Jim, I don’t think Glenn is confused; the Class B is legit and I’m familiar with at least one racer who tows successfully using a similar trailer and a door car that weighs around 3000lb.

1matcoman · 03-17-2019, 09:37 PM

Guys, a Class "B" motorhome is what we all call a "van" on steroids. You've all seen them - they are a motorhome on a basic auto manufacturer van chassis.
Like this: https://www.generalrv.com/product/ne...3321-13#photos

Glenn, I would almost think that the motorhome itself is about all that chassis was designed to handle, attempting to tow a 24ft trailer with a car and gear would be mighty dangerous, imho.

jmcarter · 03-18-2019, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Turner

Jim, I don’t think Glenn is confused; the Class B is legit and I’m familiar with at least one racer who tows successfully using a similar trailer and a door car that weighs around 3000lb.

You’re right Dave, I stand corrected but they are a rarity compared to their Class C cousins. Perhaps Glenn can clarify.

Glenn Briglio · 03-18-2019, 12:18 PM

It's a 21 foot class c (it was listed as class b) E350 dual rear axle 6.8l V10.Trailer and car weigh approx. 7000lbs.

jmcarter · 03-18-2019, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glenn Briglio

It's a 21 foot class c (it was listed as class b) E350 dual rear axle 6.8l V10.Trailer and car weigh approx. 7000lbs.

Sounds like you'd have a similar experience as Keith with the exception of you'll go faster over the big hills!

Keith 944 · 03-18-2019, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmcarter

Sounds like you'd have a similar experience as Keith with the exception of you'll go faster over the big hills!

Lol yes I would say so. It did great on hills, I would pass most of the diesels. Except for the vision problems, I forgot to add I only got 6 mpg towing or not! Not sure how that thing was geared. My old 38' diesel pusher towing gets 8-9

jmcarter · 03-18-2019, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith 944

Lol yes I would say so. It did great on hills, I would pass most of the diesels. Except for the vision problems, I forgot to add I only got 6 mpg towing or not! Not sure how that thing was geared. My old 38' diesel pusher towing gets 8-9

No doubt, and yes the ability to see down the road (often filled with idiots) is a big plus. I know my 450 Cummins was great going up and down the big hills out west (engine brakes are another big plus) and you feel like one of the big dogs until somebody with one of the 600 ISX Cummins goes blasting by. There's always somebody with a bigger stick and for the money it's hard to beat the E350/450 with the V10, especially ones with the six speed auto.

03-17-2019, 05:06 PM	#1
Glenn Briglio VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Massapequa Park,NY Posts: 1,285 Likes: 1,905 Liked 974 Times in 310 Posts	Towing with a Class B motorhome Anyone use a Class B motorhome to tow a 24foot aluminum enclosed trailer? It's based on a Ford E350 dual rear wheel chassis with a 6.8l V10. __________________ 1989 Camaro Iroc-Z I/SA B&B Auto Machine Shop.

03-17-2019, 05:33 PM	#2
jmcarter VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Richmond Hill GA (and Port Ludlow WA) Posts: 4,301 Likes: 2,397 Liked 3,199 Times in 977 Posts	Re: Towing with a Class B motorhome Glenn, think you mean Class C but you might contact Jim Wahl because he towed his enclosed featherlight with a E350 and had handling issues. Think the E350 is only rated to tow 7500 at most so a reinforced hitch would be in order and if working with one of the really long Class C’s with a wacky wheelbase/total length ratio then it isn’t advised. Successful towing with a Class C often means having it aligned with the aft end weighted to simulate the higher tongue weight of a trailer and some special helper springs. IRV2.com is a good resource, lots of Class C’s out there pulling trailers that aren’t racers. With that I yield to those with first hand experience... __________________ Jim Carter 2340 Super Stock 2340 SST/2340 Stock Set another place at the table

03-17-2019, 05:58 PM	#3
Keith 944 VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Dela-where? Posts: 2,195 Likes: 1,162 Liked 1,885 Times in 578 Posts	Re: Towing with a Class B motorhome Had an E-450 23’ class c with v-10 towed great not much overhang and I did use a trailer toad. I was towing a heavy 30’ triple axle steel pace. Thing I don’t like about a class c is your vision may only be to the vehicle ahead of you because you are driving a van. Class A sits driver high enough to see over quite a few cars ahead. Anyway with the weight your going to tow I would say you will be fine __________________ KEITH MAYERS 2-1/2 X somebody Still many X nobody

03-17-2019, 09:37 PM	#5
1matcoman Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 342 Likes: 846 Liked 355 Times in 136 Posts	Re: Towing with a Class B motorhome Guys, a Class "B" motorhome is what we all call a "van" on steroids. You've all seen them - they are a motorhome on a basic auto manufacturer van chassis. Like this: https://www.generalrv.com/product/ne...3321-13#photos Glenn, I would almost think that the motorhome itself is about all that chassis was designed to handle, attempting to tow a 24ft trailer with a car and gear would be mighty dangerous, imho. Last edited by 1matcoman; 03-17-2019 at 09:42 PM.

03-18-2019, 12:18 PM	#7
Glenn Briglio VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Massapequa Park,NY Posts: 1,285 Likes: 1,905 Liked 974 Times in 310 Posts	Re: Towing with a Class B motorhome It's a 21 foot class c (it was listed as class b) E350 dual rear axle 6.8l V10.Trailer and car weigh approx. 7000lbs. __________________ 1989 Camaro Iroc-Z I/SA B&B Auto Machine Shop.