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U280 Towing Capacity

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!   

Re: U280 Towing Capacity

Reply #1 –
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
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: U280 Towing Capacity

Reply #2 –
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.

Re: U280 Towing Capacity

Reply #3 –
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.

Re: U280 Towing Capacity

Reply #4 –
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.
Robert and Susan
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR

Re: U280 Towing Capacity

Reply #5 –
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.

Re: U280 Towing Capacity

Reply #6 –
Tongue weight is usually 10% of trailer weight.
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: U280 Towing Capacity

Reply #7 –
95 models were 500# tongue, 5000# hitch.
The selected media item is not currently available. Dave Head & Megan Westbrook
Titusville, FL - The Great Outdoors
'98 270 buying this month
Toad is a 2018 F150 XLT

Re: U280 Towing Capacity

Reply #8 –
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....
Doug W.
96 36' U270 CSGI #4946
04 Toyota Tacoma 4x4
PNW

Re: U280 Towing Capacity

Reply #9 –
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.
Robert and Susan
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR

Re: U280 Towing Capacity

Reply #10 –
Quote from: Doug W. –
Seems I remember reading here someone looking at a Grandvilla with cement blocks added above the front axle.
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?
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: U280 Towing Capacity

Reply #11 –
Quote from: kb0zke –
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.


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"
Curtis and Wendy and the baby tortoise SloMo
1993 U280 grand villa
Planes and cars
Boulder City, Nevada

Re: U280 Towing Capacity

Reply #12 –
Foretravel Vehicle Weight

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

Re: U280 Towing Capacity

Reply #13 –
Quote from: kb0zke –
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 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.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: U280 Towing Capacity

Reply #14 –
 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# 

Re: U280 Towing Capacity

Reply #15 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
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.
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

Re: U280 Towing Capacity

Reply #16 –
Quote from: dsd –
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.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: U280 Towing Capacity

Reply #17 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
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.
Gene
97 U320 3rd Owner