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Tow my enclosed trailer with a motorhome?

Where are you using it? Local track a couple of hours or less? Lots of racers using old gassers. Going further or in the hills? Has to be diesel. If you look there're nice older diesel pushers for less than $30k
Doug
 
dvw said:
Where are you using it? Local track a couple of hours or less? Lots of racers using old gassers. Going further or in the hills? Has to be diesel. If you look there're nice older diesel pushers for less than $30k
Doug
Click to expand...
This year probably Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa. Not running a huge schedule. See if the car (and myself) are competitive. I have seen some used pushers for around 30K. Don't hear from any guys pulling with gas rigs.
 
I have a 30' Coachman v-10 pulling a 29' aluminum V nose trailer. I'm probably getting around 7-8 mpg running around 65-70.
I don't think the diesels are getting much better fuel economy, it's just they'll tow better because of torque.
BUT maintenance and up keep is a lot more money with a diesel.
I have a friend who has a 30' Chevy Gas towing his race car from Cleveland Oh. to Bowling Green Ky with no problems.

For what I'm doing, I wouldn't spend the money on a Diesel, more money up front, more money to fill up, and more money to fix and maintain. For me it's not worth it.
 
Endangered Species said:
I have a 30' Coachman v-10 pulling a 29' aluminum V nose trailer. I'm probably getting around 7-8 mpg running around 65-70.
I don't think the diesels are getting much better fuel economy, it's just they'll tow better because of torque.
BUT maintenance and up keep is a lot more money with a diesel.
I have a friend who has a 30' Chevy Gas towing his race car from Cleveland Oh. to Bowling Green Ky with no problems.

For what I'm doing, I wouldn't spend the money on a Diesel, more money up front, more money to fill up, and more money to fix and maintain. For me it's not worth it.
Click to expand...
Nice to hear from someone not using a diesel. Good information. Thanks
 
Hats off to the Ford V10, sure out pulls the 3 454 coaches Ive owned on hills but they do like gas.
 
I don't know about other states but california was giving out
$600 dollar tickets to motorhomes pulling trailers for drivers without a CDL, I think it was if they were over 45 foot long and so much weight, not sure on the details but know a couple people that got it
 
bobs63wagon said:
Don't hear from any guys pulling with gas rigs.
Click to expand...
Started out in 1994 with a 30' Fleetwood MH 454 gas.6 MPG.Had to rework the rear springs only. Put about 30,000 miles on it towing a 24' enclosed trailer.
Next was a 2000 Dodge 2500 V10 with a Lance camper. Had to swap from 3.55 to 4.10's so it would stay in overdrive.The slightest breath of a hill and the tranny was shifting in and out. 4.10's took care of that.6 MPG towing. Put at least 30,000 towing 24' enclosed trailer.
Right now I have a 2010 Coachman Freelander 6 LTR(364 CI) Gas. It too gets 6 MPG towing.Up-graded to a class 5 hitch,Timbren helper springs to keep it level and have at least 20,000 miles towing the same trailer.
Trailer gross weight is between 6500-7000.
IMG_0019.JPG
 
If you don't mind doing a little handyman work, airport shuttle busses are always for sale. Ford V10. They are already geared steep. Definitely take a hit on fuel, but anything gas used sells cheap up front. Then it's a math problem of initial cost plus fuel cost over "X" yrs.
 
I guess it all depends on what your budget is and what you're going to do with it.
There are a lot of guys running around in $70K diesel pick up trucks to tow their camper to to the lake once a year. Do they need it? HELL NO! they bought it because they can... and that's okay, God Bless'em!

If you have the money and or plan on doing a lot of traveling especially while towing then a Diesel is better suited. Again, it goes beyond just the initial investment. Diesels cost more to fix when they break, they also cost more to fill up at the pump. Because they are on bigger chassis they have the bigger rims and tires, so tires cost more, the fuel economy on diesel isn't always better and when it is, it's not enough to off sent the extra cost of the fuel it's self. NOW with this all being said, the resale value on a diesel is a lot better.

As for me, I plan on towing the race car to 4 or 5 races a year all with in a few hundred miles from home. Other than that, we go to a handful of Sprint car races in the Summer. I can't afford nor do I want the expense of the diesel. So I would say
 
You can get an older diesel 3500 for reasonable money. I just replaced my wife's 07 with 435000 on it with a2011 with low miles. The 07 has plenty of life left in it. The only thing we had to do to that truck in 400,000 miles is a transfer case and some front end work. She pulls boats with it and averages 12mpg
Screenshot_20220106-211329_Gallery.jpg

This load was 23000lbs gross weight
 
As I stated earlier, I've had the same Dodge Ram Diesel for 19 yrs. I keep seeing posts of "added" cost or "high" maintenance. Can someone please explain and be specific, other than "my wife's brother's friend"?
 
Keep a eye out for used motorhomes. Many were bought during covid and the people that bought them now want them gone.
Reason is most had no idea what owning a MH is all about.They just wanted to get out of the house. It's allot of work before and after a trip.
The others are older couples that take very good care of their MH but find they are ready for a change or just can't do like they used to.
 
As far as Diesel pick up go. Mine is a 95 D3500 5 speed, 3.54 axle. Driven it since new. Motor has $150 worth of hop up parts. Pulls a 32' triaxle with a slide in camper in the bed. Gets 11-12 mpg towing. Will stay 70 mph set on cruise anywhere. I've replaced some oil seals/gaskets and a head gasket. Broke the throttle rod once. That's it as far as engine issues. 225K still runs great.
Doug
20210721_130833.jpg
 
Yeah: I live in hilly country. You stick your foot into a gasser on an 8% hill for 30 minutes or an hour you can't tell me it's going to go a million miles with no maintenance. And 6MPG at 70 MPH towing with a gasser? Nope, unless it's on flat and downhill ground.
You can tow with a gasser, it just isn't going to work as well as a diesel, not even close.
As far as heavier axles, trans, tires etc. with a diesel? Hey I'll take all that stuff for towing please.
I towed my Viper with my gasser through a couple mountains, It worked fine for the one trip, I wouldn't do it more than once a year though.

ramit.JPG
 
I don't care which one it is Dodge, Chevy or F,F,F,F..... Damn I can't say it you know the blue oval one. Diesel is the only way to go when towing.
 
I was really impressed with the torque and hp increase the Banks system added to my old 98 coachmen 34 ft. But the 460 V8 really needed it. In about 2002 it cost $2200 to have it installed. But again, any hills bigger than Minnesota/ Wisconsin/ Iowa and I would definitely be looking for a bit more power.
 
If it’s dedicated for the most part to racing, and you’re on a budget, a 24’ C class with a Triton V10 will do a fine job. You’re probably going to be right at the edge of the weight rating, but with a good hitch setup including a set of leveler bars, I’m willing to bet you’d have good results.

I tow a 20’ v-nose loaded with my car and gear with my 32’ class C now & then; 1st gen V10. Not a powerhouse, but at 60-65 it’s pretty comfortable and gets about 8 mpg.
 
LemonWedge said:
If it’s dedicated for the most part to racing, and you’re on a budget, a 24’ C class with a Triton V10 will do a fine job. You’re probably going to be right at the edge of the weight rating, but with a good hitch setup including a set of leveler bars, I’m willing to bet you’d have good results.

I tow a 20’ v-nose loaded with my car and gear with my 32’ class C now & then; 1st gen V10. Not a powerhouse, but at 60-65 it’s pretty comfortable and gets about 8 mpg.
Click to expand...
Have a friend that had a 79 350 GMC cocktail van, that gave him about 10 miles/US per gallon at 60 mpg if no wind. So you are doing well.
 
I started out pulling a 16' Big Tex open trailer with a
76 Chevy 2wd Stepside Cheyanne 3100/Heavy Half they claimed
350cid 400 Turbo trans
went across the country several times
not a family rig but young & dumb it wasn't bad

I stepped up to a GM dually 6.3 diesel 2wd lowered (Turd)
nice truck but underpowered
it did the job but was slow as hell

I stepped up again when I got my
95 4x4 Power Ram 12 valve 5.9 Cummins TD
I put 350k miles on
I Got another 98 4x4 Power Ram 3500, put another 350k+ on it
used them both for hauling **** around home too
both great trucks
Always had a nice trailer, after the 1st couple years of roughing it
with 'the Big Tex' & lil' truck, when I was cheap broke & young

I'm not a huge diesel fan either
but when towing & long tows especially, it's the way to go
torque is the answer, lots of torque

Both of them Power Rams hauled my Featherlight tandem axle 5th wheels great
I could go 60+mpg over almost any grade

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I towed some 140k miles with this below
97 Safari, Magnum Chassis diesel pusher 36'
5.9 Cummins Turbo diesel/Allison 5 speed
I got it used for $100k out the door, when it was less than 2 years old
Org sale price was $180k
plenty of power, plenty of towing capabilities
I towed a Featherlite 36' tri-axle 2 car stacked trailer (inc. the tongue)
It was like sitting on my recliner driving down the road
great views too

IMO only drawback is it's a flat-tow, but sufficient
even over the passes, Eisenhower Tunnel was fun/continental divid
or
the overall length for staying in some RV Parks or State Campgrounds
some states limited overall length laws 'over the road' too
(albeit I never had any issues towing across the country a few times over about 10 years)
Some parks/campgrounds etc.
they have a limited length rules & enforce it strictly too
PITA
Budnicks 97 Safari Serengeti #2 Motorhome Cat Pusher PS.jpg


Budnicks 97 Safari Serengeti #1 Motorhome Cat Pusher specs.jpg


Budnicks 97 Safari Serengeti #1a Motorhome Cat Pusher floor plan.jpg


I later got a Kodiac Intermediate Diesel truck,
w/6 person sleeper, fridge, sofa, chairs fold-out beds
(good for kids or small adults)
& a Featherlite gooseneck 2 car stacked 43' trailer tri-axle
with 8' sleeping quarters/bathroom shower kitchenette (small)
plus what was overhang the bed/hitch had a queensize bed
still was limited to where I could stay
but a lot easier to get around when at the track or going to dinner etc.
I put about 150k on it too...
 
Last edited:
Budnicks said:
I started out pulling a 16' Big Tex open trailer with a
76 Chevy 2wd Stepside Cheyanne 3100/Heavy Half they claimed
350cid 400 Turbo trans
went across the country several times
not a family rig but young & dumb it wasn't bad

I stepped up to a GM dually 6.3 diesel 2wd lowered (Turd)
nice truck but underpowered
it did the job but was slow as hell

I stepped up again when I got my
95 4x4 Power Ram 12 valve 5.9 Cummins TD
I put 350k miles on
I Got another 98 4x4 Power Ram 3500, put another 350k+ on it
used them both for hauling **** around home too
both great trucks
Always had a nice trailer, after the 1st couple years of roughing it
with 'the Big Tex' & lil' truck, when I was cheap broke & young

I'm not a huge diesel fan either
but when towing & long tows especially, it's the way to go
torque is the answer, lots of torque

Both of them Power Rams hauled my Featherlight tandem axle 5th wheels great
I could go 60+mpg over almost any grade

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I towed some 140k miles with this below
97 Safari, Magnum Chassis diesel pusher 36'
5.9 Cummins Turbo diesel/Allison 5 speed
I got it used for $100k out the door, when it was less than 2 years old
Org sale price was $180k
plenty of power, plenty of towing capabilities
I towed a Featherlite 36' tri-axle 2 car stacked trailer (inc. the tongue)
It was like sitting on my recliner driving down the road
great views too

IMO only drawback is it's a flat-tow, but sufficient
even over the passes, Eisenhower Tunnel was fun/continental divid
or
the overall length for staying in some RV Parks or State Campgrounds
some states limited overall length laws 'over the road' too
(albeit I never had any issues towing across the country a few times over about 10 years)
Some parks/campgrounds etc.
they have a limited length rules & enforce it strictly too
PITA
View attachment 1222407

View attachment 1222405

View attachment 1222406

I later got a Kodiac Intermediate Diesel truck,
w/6 person sleeper, fridge, sofa, chairs fold-out beds
(good for kids or small adults)
& a Featherlite gooseneck 2 car stacked 43' trailer tri-axle
with 8' sleeping quarters/bathroom shower kitchenette (small)
plus what was overhang the bed/hitch had a queensize bed
still was limited to where I could stay
but a lot easier to get around when at the track or going to dinner etc.
I put about 150k on it too...
Click to expand...
Is there a database to locate campgrounds with length restrictions?
 
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