towing with a 280 diesel coach

[Doug S]

Hi,
I have a 28' 280 turbo diesel coach and have never towed with it before. I recently bought a road master falcon 2 tow bar and stealth braking system for towing my 2009 Honda CRV. It weighs about 4500 lbs. Is this car too heavy for this coach to tow? Any help would be appreciated.
Doug

[DaveFL]

Probably too heavy, check all limits, AS started at about 2k and has changed limit over the years, owners have changed them even more by beefing up the frame, adding higher weight capacity hitch.
I liked the CRV but being heavier than the Ford Ranger pu opted to get the Honda Fit at 2.5k, still pull the pu when we are on flatland, haven't figured out how to carry kayak and bikes with Fit.

[dljosephson]

Yes, 4500 pounds is too heavy, unless you stay slow and on flat roads. The factory limit is 2000 pounds. We tow a 2200 pound Tracker with our 310 turbo diesel. It's fine except on hills, when it gets slow but manageable. Be sure you have sufficient cooling (big radiator fan, transmission oil cooler with fan) and don't push it to go fast.

[Smartstream]

Think about rebuilding your hitch structure. It's pretty light weight and not attached to the frame in a manner to tow that kind of weight.

[Isuzusweet]

You have curb weight mixed up with gross vehicle weight as the curb weight of your CRV is 3389 lbs, not 4560 lbs which is your max gross weight. See link below.

Used 2009 Honda CR-V Features & Specs | Edmunds

Even at 3389 lbs it would be advisable to beef up the hitch significantly.

Cheers
Tony

[martin300662]

I understand some of the issue is simply power/weight ratio, but could using a Hitch-Helper to carry the load help? Really they are just an update of the old slimp dolly idea to carry and distribute load, but must be novel as the company have various patents around their design.

I have been looking at them as a hitch hauler for our motorcycle, but they are quite popular with the marine haulers towing weights way over that of their tow vehicles on their own, there is even an old thread on using them (http://www.airforums.com/forums/f464...lly-87055.html) with links to the Hitch-Helper and another product called the TrailerToad.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by DaveFL

I liked the CRV but being heavier than the Ford Ranger pu opted to get the Honda Fit at 2.5k, still pull the pu when we are on flatland, haven't figured out how to carry kayak and bikes with Fit.

Aftermarket roof bars on the Fit for the kayak— I use Thule Whispbars (Whispbar | Car Roof Racks, Bike Racks, Ski Racks, Kayak Racks) on my Fit for carrying a kayak— and a hatchback-mounted bile rack on the Fit for carrying bikes. Haven't used them while towing (yet) and not both at the same time, either. But even if it only allows you to carry a kayak OR bikes while towing, that's at least half a solution.

[Doug S]

Thanks all for your input. Since I first posted my question, we traveled with the CRV from MA. To the Smokey Mountains. I did find that the coach over hated some going up some of the mountains in th Hudson Rver Valley and in the Blue Ridge, especially when it got warm out side. I have just leased A Smart car to tow. Hope that works. Thanks again. Doug S

[Smartstream]

My smart tows well and it is fun to drive.