Towing my turbo diesel behind my turbo diesel

[T.Shaffer]

I just spent four months in Southern Utah and Southern Arizona in my 2000 37' Discovery motor home. It has a Freightliner chassis and a 5. 9 Cummins rated at 275 HP. I've been pulling a Jeep Cherokee that weighs in at about 3500 lbs and it's a workable combination. But languishing at home is my '97 2500 4x4 set up just the way I like it. I'd love to tow it instead and stopping wouldn't be a problem with the Jacobs xtarder on the motor home and a supplemental braking system in the pickup. What I'm really worried about is the stress on the coach's frame and drivetrain. I would essentially double the towed weight since my Dodge weighs in close to 7000 lbs with the canopy and fuel aboard.



I guess you could say I want my cake and drive it too. Anyone have any sage words of advice or revelations other than that I was right in the first place - it's too much truck to pull behind my coach?

 

[IdaH.O.Train]

T. Shaffer, I can't tell you the make or model of coach, but I have seen it done in the past. And at the time I saw it, I can remember saying to myself, that guy has too much money. :{ Come to think of it, I have seen it more than once. So, it must be doable.

 

[LarryB]

I'm towing a 7000lb trailer behind mine without a problem. My trailer has 4 wheel discs so it stops well. I think as long as it will stop good you're OK. 275hp isn't that much to cause driveline problems. I'm assuming it has fairly heavy driveline components anyway. What does the manufacturer say about towing capacity?

 

[Jack in Alaska]

From what I have been told a motorhome should have a minimum of 300 HP. to tow a large truck. 350 would be better. I looked into towing my 1998. 5 dually and that is what I learned.

I did see a crewcab diesel dually Ford behind a 40' Mountain Aire last summer up here. I would have liked to talk with him but he was going the other way and not slow.

You could "tune up" your motorhome engine to cover the required 300+ HP.

Good luck.

 

[jpolston]

Why don't you tow the motorhome with the "RAM"??