|
|
07-10-2022, 08:14 PM
|
#1
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 33.1
State: Massachusetts
Posts: 115
THOR #26005
|
Illegally towing a toad?
So I’ve been considering a toad or a dingy and started looking at weight. My rig is a 2020 Thor ACE 33.1. Specs say it weighs 20,500lbs. I figured 1500lbs with clothes food people grill etc. so im at 22k in weight alone. That leaves me 4001 lbs left for me to legally tow. So if I use a dingy thats about 750lbs give or take which leaves me 3251lbs for a car to tow. My hitch says 8k but I can’t legally tow 8k.
Have any of you guys towing actually checked what your weighing in at? Or do you guys run a Class A License?
__________________
|
|
|
07-10-2022, 08:35 PM
|
#2
|
Site Team
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 14,129
THOR #7035
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ntrinh15
So I’ve been considering a toad or a dingy and started looking at weight. My rig is a 2020 Thor ACE 33.1. Specs say it weighs 20,500lbs. I figured 1500lbs with clothes food people grill etc. so im at 22k in weight alone. That leaves me 4001 lbs left for me to legally tow. So if I use a dingy thats about 750lbs give or take which leaves me 3251lbs for a car to tow. My hitch says 8k but I can’t legally tow 8k.
Have any of you guys towing actually checked what your weighing in at? Or do you guys run a Class A License?
|
Specs say the MOST your coach can weigh fully loaded is 20,500 lbs (GVWR).
Your GCWR is 26,000 lbs
You can tow 5,500 lbs at least unless you overload your coach.
A "dinghy" is what you tow, AKA TOAD. I think you were referring to a tow dolly which tows with the front wheels of the car off the ground. You don't need a dolly if you tow 4 down (flat towing).
And in Florida you don't need a "Class A" license if driving any size MH.
__________________
Ted & Melinda
2016 ACE 27.1
2016 Chevy Sonic Toad - Selling
2020 Chevy Colorado Z71 Trail Runner Toad
2024 Chevrolet Trax 2RS - Soon 2B TOAD
|
|
|
07-10-2022, 10:03 PM
|
#3
|
Site Team
Brand: Entegra
Model: Accolade 37TS
State: South Dakota
Posts: 8,726
THOR #1469
|
Load the coach and get it weighted.
__________________
|
|
|
07-10-2022, 10:10 PM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 33.1
State: Massachusetts
Posts: 115
THOR #26005
|
I have not weighed in at an actual scale yet. Just went off specs online. It would be great if my rig is weighed in at that. I dont boon dock so no need for extra water or anything. I can flat tow or use a dolly. Options are better with the dolly.
__________________
|
|
|
07-11-2022, 12:23 AM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Four Winds 23U
State: Nevada
Posts: 250
THOR #27334
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ntrinh15
I have not weighed in at an actual scale yet. Just went off specs online. It would be great if my rig is weighed in at that. I dont boon dock so no need for extra water or anything. I can flat tow or use a dolly. Options are better with the dolly.
|
Manufacturers specs are always 'subject to change', I wouldn't trust them at all.
__________________
|
|
|
07-11-2022, 12:39 AM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Renegade Valencia 38RB
State: California
Posts: 3,496
THOR #3156
|
5k is towing max. Hitch is rated 8k that doesn't mean you can tow 8k
|
|
|
07-11-2022, 01:06 AM
|
#7
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Chateau 24F
State: Ohio
Posts: 4,089
THOR #16721
|
Flat towing eliminates the dolly weight and hassle. But sounds like you want the option of different tow vehicles. That being the case, I suggest getting an accurate weight at a CAT scale. Then you'll know for certain. You certainly don't want a personal injury attorney giving you that news after an accident that's your fault...
With the accurate weight you'll be better prepared... much better than guessing.
__________________
Be creative, and have a fun life...
...and don't be an @**hole! -Ken Block
|
|
|
07-11-2022, 02:55 AM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 33.1
State: Massachusetts
Posts: 115
THOR #26005
|
No definitely don’t need the headache or problems on the road. I will have to get it weighed and really see what it is. Heading next weekend to Scarborough Maine for a couple days. Ill see if theres a scale on the way.
More curious if other people realize this regarding weight.
__________________
|
|
|
07-11-2022, 03:37 AM
|
#9
|
Site Team
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 14,129
THOR #7035
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ntrinh15
No definitely don’t need the headache or problems on the road. I will have to get it weighed and really see what it is. Heading next weekend to Scarborough Maine for a couple days. Ill see if theres a scale on the way.
More curious if other people realize this regarding weight.
|
Realize what? Your numbers are wrong?
__________________
Ted & Melinda
2016 ACE 27.1
2016 Chevy Sonic Toad - Selling
2020 Chevy Colorado Z71 Trail Runner Toad
2024 Chevrolet Trax 2RS - Soon 2B TOAD
|
|
|
07-11-2022, 04:03 AM
|
#10
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 33.1
State: Massachusetts
Posts: 115
THOR #26005
|
Why are my numbers wrong? Its simple math. If i take factory specs and minus what im legal to drive than those are the numbers. Im saying how many people think a 8k hitch can tow 8k behind them. Or over load the rv and think its ok to tow or be overloaded
__________________
|
|
|
07-11-2022, 04:47 AM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Washington
Posts: 1,112
THOR #6433
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ntrinh15
Why are my numbers wrong? Its simple math. If i take factory specs and minus what im legal to drive than those are the numbers. Im saying how many people think a 8k hitch can tow 8k behind them. Or over load the rv and think its ok to tow or be overloaded
|
Your math could be right could be wrong. Best thing is to weight the coach. Any brochure weight is going to be wrong. Is the 20,500 the max weight of your coach fully loaded and 26k is combined. If that’s the case you should have 5,500lbs left over: provides you haven’t over loaded the 20,500
__________________
|
|
|
07-11-2022, 12:53 PM
|
#12
|
I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
|
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
|
|
|
07-11-2022, 02:42 PM
|
#13
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Fourwinds 24F
State: North Carolina
Posts: 766
THOR #9511
|
Just say'n
__________________
|
|
|
07-11-2022, 02:57 PM
|
#14
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Chateau 24F
State: Ohio
Posts: 4,089
THOR #16721
|
If you're uncomfortable - just weigh it. Don't be like those idiots (and I'm NOT insinuating you are ) pulling a 5th wheel with a half-ton truck - with a trailer - going 85 on the freeway. An accident waiting to happen... which has the potential to injure innocent people around them!
I confess that I have never weighed my setup, but I feel confident in my load weight, toad weight and hitch rating that I'm not overloaded. BUT - if I DID suspect I was, and that was bothering me... I'd be hitting the nearest scale to find out.
__________________
Be creative, and have a fun life...
...and don't be an @**hole! -Ken Block
|
|
|
07-11-2022, 03:54 PM
|
#15
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: A.C.E. 27.2
State: Indiana
Posts: 1,842
THOR #14698
|
Just about every truck stop has a CAT scale. For under $20 in most cases, you can weigh the coach and the toad, and quit the guesswork.
In our case I found fully loaded we were over the coach's weight limit by 150 lbs or so and under on the Gross Combined Weight Rating limit by a large margin with the Cherokee in tow. We moved several items, (campfire wood, lawn chairs) out of the coach and into the toad to get the weights right.
__________________
2018 ACE 27.2
Toad 2019 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
Roadmaster Falcon All Terrain Towbar
Roadmaster Invisibrake
|
|
|
07-11-2022, 04:21 PM
|
#16
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 33.1
State: Massachusetts
Posts: 115
THOR #26005
|
Im not denying the weighing part. Just not about to load up the rv when I dont have a trip planned. This week I will know when im loaded and on the road so I will be weighing in so I can get a real number. Im pretty sure there are others out there that just hook and go.
__________________
|
|
|
07-11-2022, 04:35 PM
|
#17
|
Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Palazzo 36.1
State: Texas
Posts: 88
THOR #3182
|
Just a side note on towing vehicles, rules vary a lot from state to state so make sure you check ahead of time. Some don't even require a toad brake systems but most do.
Unless it's changed here in Texas you're required to have an add on air brake rider on your drivers license although I've never heard of anyone in a MH being harassed about it. It's probably one of those, you don't know you need it until you find out from some jerk's attorney why you do.
__________________
|
|
|
07-11-2022, 04:51 PM
|
#18
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Miramar 37.1
State: California
Posts: 2,460
THOR #12698
|
When you do weigh it, fully fill all of your tanks to get a FULLY loaded base. Gas, water, propane...
Paul
__________________
|
|
|
07-11-2022, 05:34 PM
|
#19
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: THOR Chateua 35SF
State: Florida
Posts: 5,850
THOR #11130
|
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) has nothing to do with towing capacity. GVWR is the max your vehicle can weigh with everything in it, less towing. GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating) has everything to do with it. GCWR is the total weight your vehicle AND trailer setup can weigh. Towing Capacity is generally determined by hitch capacity and drive-line capability. EX: If your MH has a GVWR of 20K (and you weigh the max), a towing capacity of 8K and a GCWR of 26K, you can only tow 6K pounds...whether its flat tow, trailer tow or dolly tow. If your MH weights less than 20K but has a GVWR of 20K the difference can be added to the towing capacity...as long as it doesn't exceed 8K (rated capacity). This link is a pretty good explanation of both as it relates to towing.
https://www.motortrend.com/features/gvwr-vs-gcwr/
__________________
Now an SOB
Traded Thor for Melbourne Prestige 24NP
2018 THOR Chateau 35SF
Two Labs, Bugsie & Blondie
Blondie passed in 2020 at 5 to Leukemia
|
|
|
07-11-2022, 05:44 PM
|
#20
|
Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Quantum GR22
State: California
Posts: 15
THOR #26101
|
Here are my weight calculations:
2017 Thor Quantum GR22 on the E450 Chassis
The GVWR is 14,500 lbs
The GCWR is 22,000 lbs
The Actual RV weighs 12,300 lbs fully loaded with 4 people onboard + 4 bikes on the hitch
The hitch is rated for 8,000 lbs, but the tongue weight is only 500 lbs
Rear Axle is rated for 9,600 lbs, fully loaded with 4 bikes on the hitch it was only holding 8,240 lbs.
That leaves 1,360 lbs (plus the weight of the bikes) for the Jeep Trailer tongue weight
MAX Towable weight is a hefty 9,700 lbs (If I change/reinforce/modify the hitch). I could pull an 8000lb TOAD in the current configuration.
I plan to upgrade the hitch and get a 10K box trailer and load my 4500 lb Jeep.
__________________
|
|
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
|