I'm looking at buying a 90 250 MoHo with the 454 but I cant find a tow capacity. I wanna tow my Toyota Tacoma behind it (around 4k lbs). I cant find this info anywhere and the owner doesnt know. Can anyone help please!!!
Thank you guy99. I had read that thread but it wasnt specific to model, drivetrain, or chasis type so I didnt know how well it applied to the earlier years and various models. I put a call into Airstream but havent heard back yet. But it sounds like alot of people are reinforcing the hitch receiver and towing up to over 3,000 lbs without a brake assist. I'd be towing upward of 4,200lbs of modified "Rock Crawler" Tacoma 4X4 + 1,300 lbs (min) of dual axle car trailer (with brakes). So I'm curious about the gear ratio difference between say a 25" and a 32". A Bank Power EFI 454 in front of a T400 trans is plenty enough HP and TQ to tow most any load behind it with the correctly geared (and beffy) rear axle, so I think the 2,000 lbs number keeps getting tossed out there because thats the spec on the MoHo's weight it can effectivly stop without trailer brakes assisting.
When I get the info I'll be sure to post it up for people.
Thank you, gents .....
Joel Munger
.....I think the 2,000 lbs number keeps getting tossed out there because thats the spec on the MoHo's weight it can effectivly stop without trailer brakes assisting.
When I get the info I'll be sure to post it up for people.
Thank you, gents .....
Joel Munger
I totally disagree with anyone subscribing to the "brakes only" issue.
On almost any motorhome the distance between the rear axle and the hitch is very long. I mean, when comparing to a "normal" tow vehicle, it is HUGELY long - diesel pushers usually being the exception.
The side force moment arm created by any thing being towed is magnified many times by this distance between the rear axle(s) and the hitch.
Any time you are in a situation when you are braking and there is any side force at all on the hitch (such as in a turn) it will not take much force to push the MoHo sideways if there is not excellent traction between the rubber and the road. Lost traction comes in a variety of ways and could happen to anyone at any time - loose gravel, wet roads, hot slick pavement, or ice - it happens - and more often than you may think.
Try putting an 8 ton motorhome in an emergency brake mode when going down hill (below the speed limit) when the streets are wet and someone pulls out in front of you - ask me how I know. Just a little bit of side force pushing at the hitch will most certainly cause a loss of control situation to develope when (not if) straight line control of the total mass is lost.
No amount of hitch modification will change the limits put on towing by the manufacturer if the limits are set by side force reaction capabilities or any mechanical limitation of the frame (brakes, tranny, suspension links, etc.).
Exceeding the manufacturers tow limit is setting up a scenario for a serious accident - don't do it.
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Dennis
"Suck it up, spend the bucks, do it right the first time."
The side force moment arm created by any thing being towed is magnified many times by this distance between the rear axle(s) and the hitch.
I would certainly agree with that. But if the object your towing is balanced and brake perportioned correctly it shouldnt be as much of an issue as towing and object with no brake assist. Also, from what people have typed on the towing subject, seems like only one person on here is towing a vehicle under 2k and thats a VW. Plus people are posting different lengths of MoHo from 25' to over 35' but still spitting out the same 2,000 lbs number. If it were based on the applicable side load under braking conditions then the longer motorhomes with more ass end hangin off the rear axle should have considerably less tow weight allowable. So how is 2k the magic number?
My assumption is that the 2000 lb limit was established by legal, not engineering. Maybe even after the classic motorhomes were sold - I've never seen this limit in the documentation - only reported from Airstream.
OTOH, there is at least one report on these forums of a hitch failure on a classic motorhome.
I've done my best - my Scion is about 2500#, and I have the unified tow brake. I also inspect the hitch frequently.
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If you want to be happy, practice compassion - The Dalai Lama
1984 310 Limited Motorhome
Courtesy Parking (W/S/E/Wi-Fi) on I-5 in Northern California, 70 miles from Oregon border
The hitch on a classic is basically a bumper hitch and is not attached to the frame. I think AS is generous with their 2000 pound limit. My hitch was bent in an upward pointing position by the PO after a small fender bender, no damage anywhere else. I straightened it using a come along attached to a tree. When we decided to tow our Saturn it was a no brainier that we needed to get that hitch attached to the frame. The brake issue is a different horse. First you have your state laws to contend with, next is the type of terrain you drive. In Wisconsin I drive relatively flat roads and do not need brakes on a towed vehicle. If I ever was to travel out West I would have to install a braking system since I would be driving in states that require it by law and terrain that mandates it for safety reasons.
Best get under there and take a look see...
Our 345 Classic hitch does not touch the bumper.
Is all frame mounted.
The cross bars were added by PO.
Hitch is not the limiting factor here.
__________________ Your opinion is valued, please not your opinion of someones else's opinion.
I would like to add my .02 to the discussion. My old Argosy has a tow limit of 4000 pounds according to my owners manual. The main difference between my old bus and the newer Airstream motorhomes is the rear suspension. Mine has leaf springs and quite a rough ride. It seems to me that when Airstream went to the air bag rear suspension, that became the weak leak in the chain (towing wise).
Since I have never towed anything I would gladly trade rear suspensions with anyone who is looking for more towing capacity!
I would like to add my .02 to the discussion. My old Argosy has a tow limit of 4000 pounds according to my owners manual. The main difference between my old bus and the newer Airstream motorhomes is the rear suspension. Mine has leaf springs and quite a rough ride. It seems to me that when Airstream went to the air bag rear suspension, that became the weak leak in the chain (towing wise).
Since I have never towed anything I would gladly trade rear suspensions with anyone who is looking for more towing capacity!
Interesting. What drivetrain does your Argosy have?
The Argosy motorhomes have the same chassis, driveline and body as the newer Airstreams. In fact, just about everything is the same except the end caps are steel instead of being aluminum. The 1978 models had the air bag rear suspension. The 1979 models came as Argosy and Airstream. They were both painted, just badged differently.
Argos didn't come with all the bells and whistles that the later, more modern Airstreams had. So, no power steps, no ice makers and no built in blenders. They are simple and sturdy and I'm keeping mine forever.
Were the chasis still the same? Could leafs be added to those built with only airbags? Who is the supplier of the airbags? I'm wanting to get specs on these to find out if they're the weak link in the this low tow rateing. My friend and 3 of his 4x4 club members drive old cab-over MoHo's with the 440 & 727 trans, and they are pullin dual axle trailers with old ,rock armored, International Harvester Scouts on em. I guess it to be just over 5k lbs, and they have no problems. The 454 being a comprable motor to that I cant see the AS being limited by drivetrain, so its gotta be the receiver mount or the rear bags. I'm leaning tward the hitch receiver
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