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Topic: Towing full-size Chevy pick up (Read 1031 times) previous topic - next topic

Towing full-size Chevy pick up

 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.
Linda & Randy Kemink
1996 ForeTravel U295 CAI
Build #4845
MC #17912
2017 Chevy Silverado High Country

Re: Towing full-size Chevy pick up

Reply #1 –
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
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Towing full-size Chevy pick up

Reply #2 –
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.
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.

Re: Towing full-size Chevy pick up

Reply #3 –
We pulled a Z71 Avalanche for 9 years with an 88 Grand villa 300hp 4 speed... no problem ^.^d
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My advice and experiences are Free, you decide if they are worth anything .

John - driving Old Faithful
1994 U280 GV
C8.3, Banks, Pacbrake, 900 watts, Resonator, XLHD tow dolly
Retired Army Warrant Officer

Life is what you make of it - if it is lemons, make lemonade!
Former Coaches:
1988 GV 40' ORED 300HP CAT - 9 years
1990 Winnebago LeSharo - 3 years
2000 Newmar London Aire - 3 years (#18 of 23 produced)

Re: Towing full-size Chevy pick up

Reply #4 –
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
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Towing full-size Chevy pick up

Reply #5 –
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. 

Rick & Rhonda
2003 U320 4220  Build #6199
Was
91 36' GV 300 Caterpillar, 92 40' U280 300 Cummins, 97 36' U295 300 Cummins, 2002
U320 450 Cummins
(Guess we're hooked)

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Re: Towing full-size Chevy pick up

Reply #6 –
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.
2001 U320 40' IF$ Build #5798
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk Toad
2015 GMC Duramax HD2500 Toad
2014 Polaris RZR 1000
Litchfield Park, AZ- Soon to be Paulden, AZ

Re: Towing full-size Chevy pick up

Reply #7 –
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

Re: Towing full-size Chevy pick up

Reply #8 –
I  think you have a neutral in the transfer case in the 2017?

If so you can tow.  You will notice it's there
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Towing full-size Chevy pick up

Reply #9 –
Owner's manuals always tell how the vehicle can be towed.

Re: Towing full-size Chevy pick up

Reply #10 –
REMCO "tow my vehicle" tab is pretty good.  Store : Remco 

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."
Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide

Re: Towing full-size Chevy pick up

Reply #11 –
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  :)
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Towing full-size Chevy pick up

Reply #12 –
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.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Towing full-size Chevy pick up

Reply #13 –
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.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Towing full-size Chevy pick up

Reply #14 –
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 and the topic overall includes quite a bit of info on the subject

Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320