Since we are new to the RV world, and haven't taken our first trip yet. We are wondering if pulling a full-size Chevy pick up with our 1996 U295 with a Cummings the 8.3 300hp engine will be safe and feasible? We bought a 2017 Chevy Silverado Highcountry 4 x 4 with the two speed transfer case a month and a half before we bought the motorhome. I hated to spend the extra $25,000 or so for a jeep. We're also thinking of putting solar panels on and need good suggestions.
What model and year pick-up? Is it 4X4? If not requires dolly or trailer. My guess is with aux. brake safe just not as practical as some other towed's
My 97 295 was rated to 6000 lbs, so unless you have a 1 ton duelly with a goldwing in the bed, you should be okay.
With 300 hp, you will not be breaking any speed records.
We pulled a Z71 Avalanche for 9 years with an 88 Grand villa 300hp 4 speed... no problem ^.^d
LRK, you will not get many panels on the truck roof so put them on the coach instead ^.^d 8)
Lots of info on that subject with many variations of fixing etc.
Just search solar panels on the forum.
JohnH
Not sure about the 2017. I think 2015 up you have to disconnect the battery when towing 4 down. As long as the transfer case goes in neutral it wil probably tow fine
With that said we towed a Suburban with our 97 U295 with no problems. Shouldn't be as heavy as that was.
I tow a 2015 GMC 4 dr 2500 diesel 4x4 pickup using a blue ox tow bar and Air Force One braking system, no problem with it at all.
Does help thou having 450hp in climbing the hills around here.
I towed my 2012 Dodge 3500 4x4 with my Allegro bus with 275hp and it did fine but like mentioned it will not break any records.. at least any you would be willing to brag about
I think you have a neutral in the transfer case in the 2017?
If so you can tow. You will notice it's there
Owner's manuals always tell how the vehicle can be towed.
REMCO "tow my vehicle" tab is pretty good. Store : Remco (http://www.remcoindustries.com/Towing/Store.php)
Depending on engine/transmission on Chevy Silverado 1500 REMCO says:
"Only four-wheel drive vehicles with a two-speed transfer case that has a Neutral and a 4-low setting can be towed four wheels down. Negative battery cable must be disconnected and not touch the terminals."
Is the question about whether the truck is towable or whether a 1996 with the 8.3 is rated to tow that load? Most of the answers thus far have been about the truck, but the original question seems to be asking about the coach end of things :)
I think the tow rating was 6K on that vintage coach but I had a 99 that had 10K. It is not that it will not pull it but the issue is the hitch rating. I would bet FT could beef it up to carry the load if it is only 6. A full sized pick up will probably put you over but not by much.
JMHO the tow rating on hitch is likely rated for some amount of down force weight on the hitch itself, usually 3-500 lbs. With 4 down hardly any down force on the hitch. With your pickup you are likely not over 6K iif so not by enough to matter especially if you use a good tow brake. As others have said your not going to break any speed records. Our coach weighs 31000 loaded and we tow a wrangler at 4600lbs. We always manage to get where we are going.
Found this great post by Neal P. which shows FT-original spec'd towing capacity should be derivable from your weight placard Foretravel towing capacities (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=16924.msg110712#msg110712) and the topic overall includes quite a bit of info on the subject