Towing with a Motorhome

[Sideshow]

Im considering buying an older motorhome with a 454 and Turbo 400. Something like this: http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/rvs/1832289626.html I'm not worried about the fixing and making it run well part, but I am concerned about the towing capability.

Does anyone have personal experience towing 5-6k lbs with a big block class A? How slow does it take a good western U.S. pass? How is the reliability, longevity, fuel consumption... I understand a diesel coach would probably be ideal but I can't afford one.
-Rich

 

[scottmcneal]

My old motorhome towed that much and more..Just make sure you have trailer brakes..I got 9 to 11 MPG..90% of the time it was 9.5 MPG..Check the walls real good if the roof leaked, wood and water not good..The no start after it sits sounds like a weak fuel pump or a bad filter..Could be a cracked fuel line..Just make sure every thing works before you buy..Start and run the GEN to make sure it works, also put a load on it..RUN both A/C at the same time..
By the way my diesel got 10 to 11 MPG and it was a 38'...This was while towing my 26' toy trailer..

 

[knucklehead 61]

back when i had my first motorhome when i was drag racing we towed a 9,000 lb trailer behind it. the MH was a 27' pace arrow 454 / t-400 & got horrible mileage. i installed a gear vendors underdrive unit which helped it get over the long grades on hiway 5 (grape vine & the siskiews sp?) that made a big difference, but it was still only able to go uphill around 30 -35 mph. it was fine on level roads.

 

[Sideshow]

My old motorhome towed that much and more..Just make sure you have trailer brakes..I got 9 to 11 MPG..90% of the time it was 9.5 MPG..Check the walls real good if the roof leaked, wood and water not good..The no start after it sits sounds like a weak fuel pump or a bad filter..Could be a cracked fuel line..Just make sure every thing works before you buy..Start and run the GEN to make sure it works, also put a load on it..RUN both A/C at the same time..
By the way my diesel got 10 to 11 MPG and it was a 38'...This was while towing my 26' toy trailer..

Thanks, I appreciate the input on running both AC units and 9.5 MPG isn't that terribly that bad considering it would cost another 5k minimum to purchase a used diesel coach with a marginal increase in MPG and more expensive fuel. I know Southwinds of this vintage had a problem with delamination and i'll keep an eye out for soft spots.

back when i had my first motorhome when i was drag racing we towed a 9,000 lb trailer behind it. the MH was a 27' pace arrow 454 / t-400 & got horrible mileage. i installed a gear vendors underdrive unit which helped it get over the long grades on hiway 5 (grape vine & the siskiews sp?) that made a big difference, but it was still only able to go uphill around 30 -35 mph. it was fine on level roads.

Thanks, I've been up the Grape vine and Siskiews many times and this is exactly the expertise I was looking for. How hard did you have to push the engine/tranny to hold 30-35? Any problems with overheating? Was it reasonably comfortable and stable towing that kind of a load (with trailer brakes obviously)?

 

[knucklehead 61]

Thanks, I've been up the Grape vine and Siskiews many times and this is exactly the expertise I was looking for. How hard did you have to push the engine/tranny to hold 30-35? Any problems with overheating? Was it reasonably comfortable and stable towing that kind of a load (with trailer brakes obviously)?

it was foot to the floor to get up the hills & it ran hot when floored. seems like we only raced at tracks when it was 90 degrees or hotter!

i got rid of the gas MH & bought my freightliner conversion back in 2000. it will pull 40,000 lbs up any grade. gets about 9 mpg but i drive it like a sports car. if i mellow out on the throttle mileage would increase. now all it tows is my heep & a harley on the hitch i built.

 

[Sideshow]

That's a nice rig! Thanks for the input.