Towing capacity of 345

[chopperbob]

Hi all,
Have a 26ft GMC and want to move up to a 345 motorhome, but can't seem to find any info on towing capacity.
We are presenty towing a Geo Tracker that weighs 2,400lbs.
Anybody help me out?
Thanks.

Bob Lawrence
76 GMC
94 Geo Tracker
3 cats and a wife

[howardann]

Hi: I have a 1988 345 and it has fantastic towing abilities. My first tow vehicle was a JEEP Lorado, then a 1952 MG TD kit car( a volkswagon chassis). Now I tow a full size Explorer without a problem. I have towed my tandem car trailer ( app 2000 lbs ) with my 1965 Buick Electra 225 Convertable. This 345 with a 454 gas can manage almost any tow weight. I like to let the rpm's drop to around 2200 rpm's when on a long grade for max. fuel milage. and it just hangs in there so well. I am sure you will have NO PROBLEM with your size of vehicle. Go For IT !!!!

[ALANSD]

Bob- If you have the older GMC classic style motorhome, I wonder if you would share your impressions of how it drives, and overall feel on the road. We see many of those still in service, and I wondered how they compare to our Airstreams.Thanks

[chopperbob]

Thanks for the replies. Glad to hear no problems on towing.
To answer the GMC question...had mine 3 yrs, put on 8,000 miles around Washington and Oregon.
It rides like a Cadillac with the air suspension on the rear.
Problems with handling are rut jumping as the front end is about 8 inches in from the rears. Tracking is a problem in ruts.
Will run all day at 75 mph with 8 mile per gallon.
Parts are all available for it.
Fact is if I could figure a way to put a queen island bed in back without tearing the walls apart, I would keep it.
Only been married 15 yrs, so not ready for twin beds.
Hope this answers your questions.
Thanks again.

Bob Lawrence
76 GMC
94 Geo Tracker
3 cats and a wife

[ALANSD]

thanks Bob- I have been curious, as i almost bought a 76 GMC before getting my Airstream. It did drive well, but in my opinion was overpriced for all that it needed. My kids liked those bunk beds though.

[ViewRVs]

The official maximum trailer weight for my 1985 345 is 2,000 lbs. I assume that is a trailer and not a toad. The maximum hitch weight is 200 lbs. Of course a toad is nowhere near that.

The previous owner of my unit pulled a Geo Trakker. I have the receipts for the installation of the towing gear.

This question comes up all the time. My only suggestion it to use caution. You should take into consideration using the toad brakes if the toad gets above 2,500 lbs. The brakes on the 345 were meant to stop IT and not the additional weight of a toad. My book says "Trailer brakes are required on axles of trailers over 1,000 lbs. loaded weight."

Safety First!

[chriscraw]

I have a 354LE and am sort concerned about what vehicle to tow. I've heard (and read above) of tow capacities ranging from 1000 to 2000lb. I'm well aware that the old 454 is already "overtaxed". Seems that value for money when considering a towed vehicle is either a manual Mini or Volkswagen which both come in at around 2300 lbs (dry)
Anyone had any experience that could advise me as well as the issue of passive braking (the 350LE comes equipped with two CRQ anchors just in case!)?

[Isuzusweet]

I ran into problems with my hitch. The hitch is only bolted and welded on the out edge where the C channel is open. Any stress and the channel will begin to deform. I took my hitch off (easy, only 6 bolts and two bumper bolts) had a shop gusset the horizontal to the vertical and weld the INSIDE of the C channel. I also boxed the outside of the C channel.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f311...ed-138729.html

Cheers
Tony

[chriscraw]

Mille Grazzie Tony...I had looked at the 350LE hitch and was already of the view that it was designed for a lightly loaded shopping cart carrier. Thanks for the link which I will certainly copy before any attempt to tow something with 4 wheels!

[arden_dean]

I tow a Toyota Corola with my 345.

[Isuzusweet]

As a person that has investigated towing a toad with my 310 turbo diesel, this is what I found.

The existing hitch under our rigs is pitiful and does need some beefing up....see link below.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f311...ed-138729.html

Some people also add crossmembers back to the rear frame.

As for towing capacity of the 345....It doesn't help that the motor is already pulling 16,000 lbs plus. I would feel better towing a toad with a 310 or less with the gasser, as the life epectancy of the motor/transmission will be greatly lessened by pulling extra weight, especially if it's hilly or mountainous.

I also have a 03 Chevy Tracker (3000lbs) and did buy a self contained braking unit for it, but am thinking of purchasing a Saturn 2 SL with the DOHC 1.9. It's a very light car that can be easily towed four down without having to get an aftermarket transmission pump or stop and start every 200 kms. Others in the forums tow Smart cars.

Cheers
Tony

[John Woodrow]

Originally Posted by chopperbob

Thanks for the replies. Glad to hear no problems on towing.
To answer the GMC question...had mine 3 yrs, put on 8,000 miles around Washington and Oregon.
It rides like a Cadillac with the air suspension on the rear.
Problems with handling are rut jumping as the front end is about 8 inches in from the rears. Tracking is a problem in ruts.
Will run all day at 75 mph with 8 mile per gallon.
Parts are all available for it.

We've had three GMCs over the years. Two 26' and one 23'. The GMC was designed from the ground up to be a motorhome, which makes them unique. They have a very low center of gravity and handle and ride very well if the suspension is set up right. The rear suspension is "tender" and doesn't deal well with curb hits and the like. It's also difficult to find shops that know how to fix and set them up. With front wheel drive, they will get stuck in a heavy dew.
We used ours for day trips almost exclusively and believe that is their best use.