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Old 11-18-2016, 05:12 AM   #1
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Towing

What is the weight limit of a vehicle to tow behind Axis 24.1?

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Old 11-18-2016, 12:29 PM   #2
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Do you know what chassis you have? (E350, or E450)

The hitch is rated for 8000lbs but you probably can't tow that much. Your best bet is to take the unit to a scale (like a Cat Scale). Subtract that weight from your gross combined weight (GCWR: 18,500 lbs for E350, 22,000 for E450) and that will be what you can tow. If you are planning to tow a trailer (and not a toad) you'll also have to consider the tongue weight (GVWR - scaled weight will give you max tongue weight).

In our case our Axis 24.1 is on the E350 chassis and only has a 5000 lb hitch (very early model). When I weighed it it came to about 11,500 lbs which means, according to the math, we can tow around 7,000lbs (but we can't because the hitch limits us). We tow either my wife's Escape (3600 lbs) or my C-Max (3800 lbs) on a dolly (about 400 lbs) without issue.
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Old 11-18-2016, 12:49 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JamieGeek View Post

....cut... If you are planning to tow a trailer (and not a toad) you'll also have to consider the tongue weight (GVWR - scaled weight will give you max tongue weight).

....cut....
Do you happen to know what the tongue weight limit is for newer hitch? I kind of recall 500 pounds, but if that's correct it would make it nearly impossible to get close to 8,000 pound trailer anyway, even with an E-450.
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Old 11-18-2016, 03:13 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chance
Do you happen to know what the tongue weight limit is for newer hitch?
Not off hand. The Thor website only really says "8000 lb hitch".
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Old 11-18-2016, 03:45 PM   #5
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It all comes down the chassis.

For instance my class C with a E-450 chassis weighs about 12,500 loaded. My GCVW (gross combined vehicle weight) is 22,000lbs. So if I subtract the RV weight from the GCVW I could tow 9,500lbs. Now I have a limit on the hitch of 8,000lbs so my max towing is 8,000lbs.

Now same scenario but if I had a E-350 chassis instead of a E-450. RV weight of 12,500. GVCW of a E-350 chassis (new one) is 18,500. So if I take 18,500 and minus the RV weight of 12,500 that leaves me with a 6,000lb difference so even if I had a 8,000lb hitch I can only tow 6,000lbs.


Now the other thing with the hitches is the tongue weight. Rule of thumb is 10% of the weight of a trailer is suppose to be on the tongue pushing down on the RV hitch. I know mine can tow 8,000lbs but the tongue weight is only 500lbs. I tow 7,000lbs of boat so I had to adjust my boat trailer from about 800lbs on the hitch to 450lbs. What this causes is the trailer will not trailer as well and is more liable to swing around more. That said I do it anyway. Even in a high cross wind my boat doesn't swing around at all. I notice it a bit behind my F250 but not the RV and I thought it would have been the other way around.
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Old 11-18-2016, 06:56 PM   #6
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If you are flat towing a vehicle you don't need to be concerned about tongue weight, you won't have any. Total weight of the towed vehicle is what you need, unless you are towing a Hummer you shouldn't have to worry about vehicle weight.
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Old 11-19-2016, 07:47 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by JamieGeek View Post
Not off hand. The Thor website only really says "8000 lb hitch".
Tongue weight remains at 500 pounds. I was at RV show in Florida this morning where they had a 24.1 with 8,000-pound receiver, but with same 500-pound tongue weight as before.
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Old 05-28-2017, 12:57 AM   #8
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Smile Towing braking system

Newbie Here! I have an Axis 24.1 and want to tow a 97 Geo Tracker, 2000 pounds. Do I need a braking system and if so what is available?
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Old 05-28-2017, 01:23 AM   #9
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Brake towing system

Quote:
Originally Posted by Slmangels View Post
What is the weight limit of a vehicle to tow behind Axis 24.1?
I have a 2000 pound Geo Tracker to pull behind 24.1 axis do I need a braking system? If so what is recommended and can used systems be purchased?
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Old 05-28-2017, 01:32 PM   #10
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I just weighed my 2016 Vegas 24.1 on e450 chassis.

I tow a double axle open race car trailer. Total weight is 5500 lbs. Initially tongue wt was too high. Moved wt and car and it still tows great. The Vegas weighing twice what trailer weighs helps. I am alittle under 10% on tongue bur it is no issue. Weight of Vegas with full water, tools parts, etc is just under 13k. The 500 limit on tongue is a minor limitation.
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Old 05-28-2017, 03:51 PM   #11
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My 2015 Thor Hurricane 34E has a 5000 lb tow rate, my truck I flat
tow weights 4000 lbs.

All tow equipment is Blue Ox.

Yes most if not all states require a in car braking system while towing.
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Old 05-28-2017, 07:57 PM   #12
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The rated hitch weight, is only an indicator of what that hitch, when properly installed on an appropriate vehicle can handle. Be careful not to exceed your GCVW, which includes the weight of your motorhome, plus everything you load into it, including the people and pets, and then add the weight of the vehicle you plan to tow. All of than can not exceed the GCVW, usually on a label in the door jam somewhere. As far as a braking system in the towed car, most states require it in any car you tow, those few that don't, should, and common sense and safety concerns make it mandatory.
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Old 05-29-2017, 01:56 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Slmangels View Post
Newbie Here! I have an Axis 24.1 and want to tow a 97 Geo Tracker, 2000 pounds. Do I need a braking system and if so what is available?
Laws vary by state - you not only need to meet the requirements of the state you are registered in - but any state you will travel through...

As Laco said - I wouldn't tow without a braking system.

Many threads here discuss the options - choice of portable unit or permanent install is first consideration.
Roadmaster, Blue Ox and others are available.
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Old 06-02-2017, 11:54 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gmc View Post
Laws vary by state - you not only need to meet the requirements of the state you are registered in - but any state you will travel through...

As Laco said - I wouldn't tow without a braking system.

Many threads here discuss the options - choice of portable unit or permanent install is first consideration.
Roadmaster, Blue Ox and others are available.
Just to qualify the statement about meeting the requirements of not only the state you are registered in but the state you are traveling in. Some laws apply and are enforceable and some are not. Generally speaking all safety related laws of the state you are visiting are enforceable, such as wearing a seat belt, not texting while driving, having brake lights, etc....

But other laws, like tinted windows are not enforceable. Then there are Federal commercial regs, which never apply to RVs unless you are doing business out of your unit.

If it where me for any trailer weighing 2,000 pounds to maybe just under 3,000 and being pulled by a larger MH, I would have at least a cheap surge brake system. 3,000 and over I would make sure I had electric brakes. Under 2,000 I think you would be hard pressed to find any state requiring it or very many manufactured with brakes.
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