Length tow vehicle and boat/trailer

thataway · Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 8:29 pm Post subject:

There are what are called "Toter Homes" these are often used in the NASCAR and the Race Boat world. For example I found one, which is 26 feet long, had a 300 ISB Cummings with 6 speed Allison, on a Freightliner tractor chassis, for about the same price as a high end used Class A motor home. Basically they have a bunk, head, galley, and small lounge area, all have capability of high capacity towing, some with class V hitch, and some with 5th wheel.

Doryman · Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2008 12:48 am Post subject:

Larry H · Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2008 1:55 am Post subject:

Bob,

I don't know all the details about long loads, but there may be a difference between the length of the vehicle(trailer) and the length of the vehicle and load combined. In California, they allow a load to extend past the rear of the vehicle by a certain amount. I think CA allows a load to extend past the vehicle by 1/3 rd of the wheelbase. A semitrailer's wheelbase is measured from the hitch ball to the center of the axles.

I have seen overlength loads on commercial trucks marked with overlength or oversize signs front and rear.

It might be worth checking with each state on your route for their specific requirements. Perhaps you can operate overlength if you have signs.

About BC: A web site said their length limit is 20 meters which is 65.62 ft.

Another thought: Do you tow with your motors vertical or tilted up? Tilted up is of course longer than vertical.

JamesTXSD · Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2008 7:57 am Post subject:

El and Bill · Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2008 8:19 am Post subject:

Well, the lawyer said quietly, "I rest my case," and the jury went out.

thataway · Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2008 7:27 pm Post subject:

Of course--another vote for the 22 over the 25--but in my case, I have to keep my Admiral happy, and the back pain getting in and out of the bunk is a major factor. Over all the upgrade is worth the hassel.

We were told about the Host Motor coach 270 on another forum. This is a 27 foot class C, with a quad cab, and built on a 2 x 4 or 4 x 5 550 Ford Chassis. A pretty nice rig--with two slides, and a cab over bed--and a possiable "hard side tent" queen in the back. It is a bit pricey at the over $150K range! But some units have a towing capacity of about 12,600 lbs. http://www.hostcampers.com/subs/motorcoach/motorcoach_270.html

I also started playing with the numbers on the current RV--the same drive train, axels etc are used on up to 37 footers in the same Holiday Rambler Series. My current rig has a carrying capacity of 3000 lbs, and gross combined weigth rating of 8,000 lbs. The hitch is the major limiting issue, and I am considering going to one of the good local hitch shops and seeing what frame re-enforcements we might consider. We have been regularly towing 4500 to 5000 lbs--and going another 2000 lbs may not really have that much of an effect, except minor shortening of the longivity of the engine and tranny... However another real question might be if any handling characteritics were changed. Perhaps an Equalizer hitch would prevent those issues--plus allow a larger capacity with the current hitch, just -re-enforced....

Thanks for the comments.

Fun Patrol · Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2008 8:34 pm Post subject:

My 32' motorhome is rated to tow 5000#, just enough for the 22 & trailer (4200#). This setup measures 61 ft. with the outboards up. The nice lady at the WA State Ferries told me to let the motors down for the measurement and I would be under 60 ft and save $10. Nice gal.

All this works so well it is hard to imagine buying a heavy 25 to gain a complicated head.

Here is CA, they like you to stay within the 65' combined length max. However, I have a bud with a 42' Newell towing a "stacker" enclosed race car trailer that measures 80 ft. ! He has not been stopped...yet.

Another bud tows a..<gulp> 33 ft. powerboat! Notice I didn't say trailer-boat. He camps in the boat and tows with a diesel PU, so he is OK on length but.......the boat has a 9 1/2 ft beam !!!!!! It LOOKS really big behind the PU. His secret: This is a permit load in all states, no question...but the permit process is an expensive pain. So, he just puts a "Wide Load" sign on...front and rear, and off he goes. No permit, no nada. His explanation is that the authorities are reluctant to stop a load like that, clearly too wide but otherwise not causing any great problems, because they have to declare your trip terminated and sit right there and babysit you until the machinery of justice slowly grinds to correct things. He has been doing this for years all over the country.

Have fun out there...

Roy

thataway · Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2008 11:24 pm Post subject:

I heard of another 42' motor home towing a Stacker with a Ford Explorer on the bottom and the 20 foot Proline on top, plus a full golf cart on the front--again over 70 feet--never stopped in over 50,000 miles.

I also was put onto a web site: http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/publications/size_regs_final_rpt/index.htm#length

This is from the Federal Highway Association, and confirms that commercial boat carriers are allowed soft bumpers in front (which gives us another 6") plus an overhang of 4 feet on the rear past the rear of the trailer for boat transport. Since the recreational vehicles follow the commercial regs, there are those who believe that the 4 foot overhang holds for boats also--and if so that would solve our "problem"...

The change was more than for a complicated head...There are a number of other pluses in the CD 25 (but the weight and length is a price you pay).