I am new to this site and motorhomes in general. I am looking into purchasing a 1988 Fleetwood Tioga that is in really good condition. My question is how much can/does it tow. I am looking for it to tow around 7,000# (Rig and Trailer). I tow it now with a 2002 Surburban and it does pretty good. Just woundering if this with the Ford 460 would be able to tow what I need it to.

I know it won't be a screemer like with a DP but I would at least like it to not be struggling all the time and possably blowing the transmition...

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advanced.

I had a 1998 Fleetwood Tioga on the Ford Super Duty Chassis with a rating of 14,050 lbs and the max towing for it was 3,500 lbs and i would have to agree that much than that would be a problem.
JM2CW

Well, that is pretty depressing. I thought with the 460 it would be able to do a little more than that. I guess the whole rig itself is pretty heavy...

Do you think it is a suspension thing or an all around engine/transmission issue. Adding air bags would help out.

It starts with the receiver (3500 lob rating) and the relatively weak extended framework it is bolted to. Next you run into the GCWR of the chassis itself. By the time you subtract the weight of the motorhome itself, passengers and gear, there is precious little left for towing capacity.

Few, if any, gas chassis Class A or C's have a towing capacity greater than 5000 lbs max You need to be looking at a more robust chassis for your needs and that usually means a diesel (pusher or a FRED)

As Gary mentions, there is nothing you can do to increase the tow rating.

All of the things you mention will only help hide the overweight issue.

Thanks for all the info guys. It helped out a lot in not making a mistake in getting something that will not fit our needs.

I've got a 1992 Tioga and wouldn't tow anything with it.

quote:

I've got a 1992 Tioga and wouldn't tow anything with it.

Not even a couple of four wheelers? That would be under or at the 3500 lbs...