How much can a 20' MH tow?

kdenault · 07-17-2008, 02:23 PM

Looking at a small MH to tow a gutted 1965 Overlander (no appliances, no holding tanks, no beds, no water pump, no water heater). Looking at a 20' MH with a 350 engine. Could this tow the Overlander? Or should I look for a 20' MH with a 454 engine?
Kathy

kdenault · 07-17-2008, 07:44 PM

Hoping to get some input. Sending it back up again.

blacksheep · 07-17-2008, 08:57 PM

Hi Kathy,

In 1983 my church bought an old Overlander ('60's?) and refurbished it to give to missionaries in Nogales, AZ. My uncle volunteered his mh to tow the AS from Indiana to AZ and I got a free trip for helping with driving. The mh was a 1972 Winnebago 24' with a Dodge 413 engine, did a great job pulling the Overlander. If you are looking for a newer mh ('90's or newer) I suspect a 350 with the right rear end ratio would work since it would have fuel injection and computer management.

Godspeed,
Trent

bkahler · 07-17-2008, 10:10 PM

Kathy,

We are going to use our 20' Argosy motorhome to tow our 31' Excella 500 that is being converted to a two car hauler. The trailer isn't done yet (estimated weight loaded will be 6,000 lbs) and the motor is being rebuilt in the Argosy. We will be using a 454. The Argosy came to us with a fresh 350 but we opted to replace it with a 454. We felt the extra torque would be required to haul the trailer.

No matter what you would want to reinforce the hitch on the Argosy motorhome to allow for the heavier tongue load and trailer load.

Keep us posted as to what you end up doing.

Brad

balrgn · 07-18-2008, 04:01 AM

My 20' Argosy has a 454 with 411 gears, would certainly tow the trailer. I would look into beefing up the rear suspension.
Shamless Plug, the Peanut is looking for a new home

bkahler · 07-18-2008, 10:10 AM

Kathy,

Your search is over

. Balrgn's would be just the ticket for what you're looking for. Take a look at his web page where he shows the work that he's done on the Argosy. I don't see how you could go wrong with Peanut.

Brad

kdenault · 07-18-2008, 10:13 AM

Balrgn,
Checked out your website--amazing work on the MH. I've emailed you for more info, price, etc. I'm going to look at another MH today--but I'd like to find out more info about yours. Hope to hear from you soon.
Kathy

bkahler · 07-18-2008, 10:21 AM

Kathy,

Being an owner of a 20' Argosy and a 1984 310 Classic motorhome there are some things you want to look closely at. The front suspension is an area that almost always needs some kind of work. Our 310 even though it only had 90,000 miles on it had horrific steering. It was so bad that it was spooky to drive on the interstate in windy conditions. We've spend several thousand dollars on the suspension so far and we're not done yet and that's with me doing most of the work. Tires are another thing you need to look at. Anything older than 4 or 5 years and you're going to want to replace them.

Balrgn has done an awful lot of work to Peanut that you will likely have to do to any other motorhome you buy. I don't know Balrgn personally but from what I've seen from the pictures on his website he knows what he's doing and has done a good jub.

Just food for thought!

Good luck in your search!

Brad

balrgn · 07-18-2008, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kdenault

Balrgn,
Checked out your website--amazing work on the MH. I've emailed you for more info, price, etc. I'm going to look at another MH today--but I'd like to find out more info about yours. Hope to hear from you soon.
Kathy

Info sent. E-mail me at home I can send movie clips

bkahler · 07-18-2008, 03:56 PM

Balrgn,

Would you happen to have the part #'s for the front springs you used on Peanut? I need to replace them on ours as well and it would be nice to get it right the first time

By the way thanks for posting the info and pics of the work you did on Peanut. It always helps to have photos as reference points.

Thanks,

Brad

balrgn · 07-18-2008, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkahler

Balrgn,

Would you happen to have the part #'s for the front springs you used on Peanut? I need to replace them on ours as well and it would be nice to get it right the first time

By the way thanks for posting the info and pics of the work you did on Peanut. It always helps to have photos as reference points.

Thanks,

Brad

They are Standard Springs fro a P30 Chassis, I'll see if I can dig up the order. I got them local, there is a place in Manchester NH that stocks them.

bkahler · 07-18-2008, 07:12 PM

Balgrn, any help would be appreciated.

Brad

balrgn · 07-19-2008, 04:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kdenault

Balrgn,
Checked out your website--amazing work on the MH. I've emailed you for more info, price, etc. I'm going to look at another MH today--but I'd like to find out more info about yours. Hope to hear from you soon.
Kathy

How did the inspection go? Were you able to get pics? We like pics..!

balrgn · 07-19-2008, 05:46 AM

I found my original owners manual!

Maximum loaded trailer weight which yo can pull with this vehicle is 4000 pounds.

I knew I saw it in there

Here are a few interesting things
GVWR = 11,000
Curb Weight = 7,835
Allowable Additional Weight = 3165
Allowable Weight per Axle (rear) = 2550
Allowable additional weight addresses All Options including LPG, Waste Water Food supplies etc.
Curb Weight includes ALL engine Fluids - full tank of Gas - Oil - Coolant