pulling trailer behind 1986 325

[ChrisHunt]

Who has knowledge about pulling/hauling capacity of a 1986 325 motorhome? Looking to pull a 28 foot car trailer 7,500 lbs.

[bobmiller1]

As far as I know the capacity of the original hitch is 2000 lbs. I plan on pulling my Chevy cruze with a tow dolly but I am going to reinforce the way the original hitch was mounted to the frame. Unless your hitch was previously modified to accommodate that weight of 7500 lbs. you are asking for trouble. As it is the transmission has to be in perfect operating condition as well as the cooling system. In my personal opinion I think 7500 lbs. is to much. Although you might be able to set up the hitch correctly and have the proper braking requirements met. The additional stress in the drivetrain will probably lead to either a cooling system malfunction or a transmission issue. Best of luck and let me know how you make out.

[HowieE]

If you are pulling a car trailer I assume you have more than the average mechanical knowledge. Once the hitch issue has been addressed I would suggest these be looked at.

A transmission cooler, Increase the core thickness on he radiator, check the rear ratio, and consider installing a Gear Vendors splitter to the trans. The latter will give you those additional gears you will find necessary in the hills and keep other things cooler overall.

While not a MOHO I did all of them on my 1987 6.2 GM diesel, not known as a power house, and pulled a 34 fter cross country several times.

[87MH]

The towing capacity is 2000 lbs as per the manufacturer.....

It is NOT limited by the hitch.

I have first hand drawer changing experience with my 345 with a 2100 pound Saturn WITH brakes.

Going downhill at well below the speed limit, I hit a patch of dry gravel at the same time I applied the brakes to stop at the stop sign at the bottom of the hill.

I was almost at the stop sign before I got the rig straightened out on the road.

The HUGE length between the axles and the hitch is my guess of the seemingly light rating.

Bottom line, the one ton chassis that all of the classic MoHo's are mounted on is just too light to safely pull ANYTHING more than 2000 lbs.

More proof needed? Check with all of the other "experts" from the past who have wanted to pull 7 or 8,000 pounds. Don't think there are many left around.

Do yourself a favor and check the limitations of lateral push pull on the rear of a classic Mo Ho prior to hooking on to a load that is impossible to control.

Check with your insurance carrier.

[Isuzusweet]

Yeah that's not going to happen.....I'm guessing you have the gasser and not diesel; so you have a 454/4 barrel with maybe 220hp when brand new, (God knows how many escaped the corral since then) trying to propel 15,000 lbs empty (not loaded) of Airstream moho, and you want to attach 7,500 lbs of extra weight. Even if you beefed up the hitch to take the weight it would still be an epic bad idea, with you having to replace a transmission or engine in very short order.

As a previous poster alluded to, I won't even go into how critical the trailer brakes would need to work in order for your rig to stop.

It's not worth it, as to swap out an engine you're looking at 3G's+ in labour to re and re an engine. If you want to tow 7,500 lbs you need a HD diesel pusher like an Airstream 396XL with a 330 Cat.

Cheers
Tony

[ChrisHunt]

Thankt for your experience/input.

[tevake]

Hey Chris, back on the hunt for something else I'd imagine.

I would still like to hear about your vintage racing activities .
And see what you run.

Cheers Richard