I am looking for the trailer towing specs for the 1994 U280. All that I am able to locate is a reference in the manual which states "warning, a maximum tongue weight of 350 pounds should not be exceeded."
Surprisingly to me, the manual for a 1992 U240 has the exact language. There is no other reference in the manual regarding towing weights or a GCVWR.
Can anyone provide towing info, especially regarding the seemingly low tongue weight. Is there an allowable weight increase that could be gained from a weight distribution hitch?
Thanks!
Good luck finding any verifiable "official" tow rating specs for a '94 model. The manual that came with our '93 U280 has NOTHING to say on that subject. Zero, zip, nada. Our factory placard does not list a GCVWR.
A search of this Forum will bring up many discussions about tow ratings, accompanied by much anecdotal evidence, but in many cases few hard facts. The older the coach, the more difficult it is to pin down exactly how much you can "legally" tow. Here is one thread to whet your interest:
Towing (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=17050.msg112122#msg112122)
Thank you!
Disappointing, but fortunately you saved us from having a $20K trailer that would be unusable for its intended purpose. The dealer was slow quote and we were slated to order on Monday.
Your point of legally is key. I am unable to subscribe to the doctrine that if it looks okay, it is okay. I suppose they put 350 pounds for a reason . . . maybe.
I am disappointed that the factory doesn't offer much insight. It would be nice to know if there were any modifications or conditions that would increase the tongue weight.
Barry Beam's site has quite a bit of information. The 280 has a GVWR of 28,000 pounds and a GCVWR of 30,000 pounds, which means that you can tow only 2000 pounds if the coach itself is at maximum weight. That's why we decided that a U300 would be a better fit for us, as it has a GVWR of 30,000 pounds and a GCVWR of 36,000 pounds.
Perhaps this is what your looking for ? It has the GCWR on it , look lower right. Even Foretravel was not real clear when I called them about weight ratings.
Our 95 ( built the summer of 94 ) seems to have the same rear as several years that follow it and the following years do list a reasonable GCWR ( 36,000 or better ). Just didn't seem Correct for our 280 to be at 2,000 lbs tow rating. Then I found this in our paper work.
Bob,
Thank you!
The aforementioned thread notes that the GCVWR was coming of age in the RV industry at about that time. That is, 1995.
I will delve deeper into our paperwork. But the manual clearly placards the hitch at 350 pounds.
Can you please share the information that you have regarding the hitch weights on your 1995? Is there any mention of weight distribution equipment?
We are okay gross weight wise even at the GVWR of 28K. What we need is a bit more tongue weight.
Tongue weight is usually 10% of trailer weight.
95 models were 500# tongue, 5000# hitch.
My experience with my 89, U280, 36', 3208 cat. It didn't take much added weight in the rear to lighten the front end up to a point where it felt uncomfortable to drive. Seems I remember reading here someone looking at a Grandvilla with cement blocks added above the front axle. Most likely for this very reason....
They are actualy none too heavy in the front , compared to the bus front. We only run 75 lbs in the front per Michelin tech.
Here is the (humorous) thread on that subject. Scroll down to Reply #26 for the photo evidence. Strange But True!
Strange Weights found - boxes of concrete by U280 front axle? (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=22510)
The '93 U280 we are buying was weighed and came in at 25,080lbs....so with 30,000 that's 4,920 lbs to tow....."legally"
Foretravel Vehicle Weight (http://web.archive.org/web/20200111051940/http://beamalarm.com/Documents/foretravel_vehicle_weight.html)
1993 GV U280 10,000 19,000 28,000 30,000 Tow capacity 2000
Tow capacity is rated on many factors not just weight.
Tire capacity
Axle capacity
Brake capacity
Hitch design capacity.
Both in load, side load capability, downward load typically 10%
Available remaining weight
Please understand many owners exceed this but it wont change what they are approved to carry. Only the Manufacturer can change these numbers during original build. Just because you have available weight capacity available really doesn't mean it can be transferred some were else to use
I see coaches pulling stacker trailers all the time, and it's illegal in 99.5% of the time
That statement would only be correct if the coach weighed 28,000 pounds.
Gross Combined Weight Rating= 30,000 pounds= actual weight of coach plus actual weight of toad.
I would keep under 5000# with the Fortravel Uniframe . I doubt that Foretravel did any real engineering load path analysis when they built the tube frame buses. But hanging a lot of weight on the tail sounds like a bad idea.
Other considerations for the low tongue value may be the moment arm to the rear tires and tail wagging the dog, etc.
Lucky for me , I have an Oshkosh with BA frame rails . I stay under about 9000#
So let me see if I have this correct. GVW on my coach is 34800 and my weight is 29000 and GCWR is 44800 so I can legally tow 15800 by those calculations. That is outstanding math, bit fuzzy but I like it. Now if I can only convince myself. LOL
Scott
Scott,
A resounding MAYBE. It depends on the limiting factor. Yes, it could be GCWR, it could be hitch rating, it could be some other limiting factor. GCWR is just one of the factors.
THIS! And don't forget your rear axle limit on that list. People get spoiled with experience towing with light trucks where you have a higher tolerance when reaching/exceeding limits. What works fine with a 4 ton system may not when you reach 15 tons.