Towing capacity of AS motorhomes?

[joewinfield]

I love this website--I have been monitoring it for sometime. Before I buy an AS motorhome, I need some advice: I am considering purchasing an '83-'88 310 or 290. I need to tow a horse trailer which weighs up to 7000 pounds when fully loaded. Can these MH's tow(or be modified to tow) this amount of weight? I am currrently towing the horse trailer with an '86 Fleetwood Southwind 28 feet long, with no problem. I would appreciate any help and advice.
Thanks,
Joe

[uncleneal]

I towed a 5700 pound Z71 pickup with an '83 310, and an '86 345 with no trouble. Since it was a flat tow, there was virtually no tounge weight, and I had toad brakes on the truck. Some have said that the factory tow rating is 2,000 pounds for the classic motorhomes, so I was way over. But I could outrun a lot of semis up the long hills.

Neal

[joewinfield]

neal...thanks for the reply...i think that a 454 in good shape will handle the pull and wonder if the chassis needs some beefing up...your info confirms my guess...thanks again for the help...joe

[swebster]

Joe,
I have to tell you I don't recommend it. Especially, that much (5000#) over the limit. Many around here believe the tow limit for the motorhomes is due to the extension AS added to the P30 and it has more to do with lateral loads than toungue weight limits or the power of the engine/tranny combination.

While a few have even made modifications to the chassis to tow more, I think the most the P30's were rated for was 4000# (maybe 5000#). It's not can it pull it, it can, it's what happens with someone pulls out in front of you on a decent in the mountains and you need to panic break while swerving out of the way. Also, since these guys are pulling close to their design limits just going down the road...adding another 50% of the weight of the motorhome is not doing your powerplant any favors.

While the AS's have many positives that make them like no other motorhomes, if you need to pull 7000 lbs I think you're looking at a used diesel pusher...not an Airstream Classic.