Towing capacity

[giatt]

We are planning to move to a land yacht from our Classic 27FB. The land yacht we are considering is a 2002 30foot with the 8.1 engine. Who can tell me the towing capacity?

[ShinyPete]

I don't know on that coach specifically. I bet this discussion will be similar to the very popular "will a 1/2 ton with 1200 # of payload tow my 30' Airstream?" threads on Airforums. Seriously though, my experience from looking at gas coaches while we were motorhomers always revealed a Class III hitch with like a 5000 # rating max, and a whole bunch with a 3500 # rating. The problem I was told was that the frame rails that the hitch bolted on were not rated for any more weight than that.

I know you have seen gas coaches just as I have towing 24' car haulers with Lord only knows how much tongue weight and loaded weight, but please research this carefully. Our 2000 Dutchstar pusher with an 8.3 Liter Cummins beast, 6 speed Allison, Spartan Chassis, and over 4000lb of rated payload capacity left after the coach left the factory only had a 5000 # hitch on it, and Newmar said "no way" when I asked if I could bolt a 10k onto the rails................

You should find a payload capacity sticker in that coach somewhere, either in the driver area or perhaps inside a cabinet in the galley or bath that will give you CCC Cargo carrying capacity-what will the chassis will carry after the coach was built on it. Just like what truck do I need for an Airstream, same kind of exercise gets you what you can tow with a motorhome.

[dateem]

We have a 2001 30' LY. Towing is 3000 lb max as I recall. We are towing a Honda Element that comes in at around 3400, but keep the coach pretty light so I we are well under the GVWR. We also use a brake system. The coach pulls the Element very well and fuel usage is about the same. I don't hammer up the hills and use the gears to climb and slow on hills or curves and most of the time it is not noticeable towing.