RoadTrek towing a trailer

[capamando]

Hi,

Considering buying a RT but I need to make sure that I can tow a 3000 pound trailer that has dual torflex axles.. The trailer is 6ft long by 5 ft wide. Will I have a problem with any of the RT models?

Thanks

[mkguitar]

Hi & Welcome to the Forums

which model year are you looking at ( & which van )

I have a 2006 Pleasure Way on a 2005 Chev 3500 ( w/6.0L) rated at 5000# tow capacity

when comparing, the "rv model year" is often 1 year newer than the "van model year"- this can matter when shopping for parts or comparing chassis features

some of the RT models were built on the Chev 2500 w/ 4.8 liter.


I have that motor in my GMC pick up truck and would not consider towing with it- that motor is marginal for the weight rated at about 280hp/ 290 tq



Mike

[capamando]

Hello Mike,

It will be an used one preferable with a Chevy Chassis.

Thanks

[Rockwood27]

I have a 2012 Roadtrek 190P on a 2011 Chevy 3500 Express body. It's equipped with the 6L engine and 6 speed transmission. The RT has a 10,000 lb rated hitch from RT. When the van is fully loaded with all supplies, full water, gas, propane, two people and dog, I could still tow a little over 7,000 lbs at max GCWR. However, I routinely tow my car 4 down, which weighs around 3,400 lbs. My mpg drops from around 15 without the car to about 12.5 with car in tow. You will need some type of braking system (electric or surge) for the trailer.

[capamando]

Hi Rockwood27,

The trailer is actually an mobile wood fired oven and it has electric brakes. I don't think that I can afford a 2011 but I believe that the Chevy chassis started around the year 2002-2004? I am not sure if the Dodge chassis would be suitable for towing 3000-3500 pounds.

Thanks

[mkguitar]

Originally Posted by capamando

It will be an used one preferable with a Chevy Chassis.

gotcha- Roadtrek ( commonly "RT" or R/T ) also has an RT Model- that is the lightweight...my stylus skipped a groove and I started off thinking about the RT model!

you would do well to look for a 2000+ chev 3500. that'll have the vortec and 3spd w overdrive 4L80E tranny.( newer would have the 6 spd or 8 spd)

The 6.0 is particularly well matched for the weight

as above, my 2006 Pleasure Way is on a 2005 Chev 3500 and I am quite happy with the Chev part ( but for some peeling white factory paint).

without tow we can count on 15~16 mpg at 70ish mph

R/T versatile models are sideways sleepers- (are you tall?, then no good)

R/T popular models sleep fore/aft
they typically have a drop floor center section which is good for overhead- but for me was a trip hazard ( 'cause i'm stupid)

mike

[SteveJ]

Originally Posted by capamando

Hi,

Considering buying a RT but I need to make sure that I can tow a 3000 pound trailer that has dual torflex axles.. The trailer is 6ft long by 5 ft wide. Will I have a problem with any of the RT models?

Thanks

,I think pretty much all of the one ton RTs can handle a 3000lb trailer. The Chevys do have an issue with shedding transmission heat, at least the ones with a 4 speed transmission. A trans temp gauge would be quite prudent for all applications when pulling a trailer.

[mumkin]

Chevy or Sprinter based can do it... the Promaster can not.

[themexicandoctor]

Originally Posted by SteveJ

,I think pretty much all of the one ton RTs can handle a 3000lb trailer. The Chevys do have an issue with shedding transmission heat, at least the ones with a 4 speed transmission. A trans temp gauge would be quite prudent for all applications when pulling a trailer.

Steve,

Have a 2005 build on a 2004 Chassis, 6.0 Chevrolet - is this a 4 speed transmission?

[capamando]

mkguitar, Rockwood27 & SteveJ


Thanks to all of you for your advice and information. When I find one the fits our budget I will choose a Chevy one ton.

Be well,

[SteveJ]

Originally Posted by mumkin

Chevy or Sprinter based can do it... the Promaster can not.

Good catch.

Unless something has changed the brochures are available for RTs at the mother ship, the specs will be there. One has to make sure that the total gross cargo weight rating does not get exceeded.

[mkguitar]

Originally Posted by themexicandoctor

Steve,

Have a 2005 build on a 2004 Chassis, 6.0 Chevrolet - is this a 4 speed transmission?

it's a 4L80E tranny


a "4 speed", 3rd gear is 1:1 ratio and 4th is an overdrive


I refer to this as a 3 speed with overdrive but it's tomato/tomato


for HEAVY pulling often it's better to shift to 3rd as the overdrive gear sets are weaker and lack mechanical advantage, the tranny will likely do this for you, but if you find the tranny switching up and down near constantly on a grade, shift it down


mike

[booster]

I would add one point to the discussions of the Chevy models.



2003 brought on the 6.0 engine and got rid of the 8.1 and 5.7. The 8.1 was a towing beast, the 5.7 not so much. The 6.0 seems to do well.


About 2008 the 6.0 got variable valve timing and bit more torque and hp.


in 2010 or so, they got the new 6 speed transmission which by all appearances is a big deal in many ways. Even not towing the 4 speed models will got hot in the mountain with the transmission causing a lot of it because it runs out of torque converter lockup much of the time. The six speed is locked up most of the time and has not had the heat issues, even towing larger trailers, at least that I have heard of, so that is a huge benefit of going all the way up to a 2010 or later, IMO.

[themexicandoctor]

Originally Posted by mkguitar

it's a 4L80E tranny


a "4 speed", 3rd gear is 1:1 ratio and 4th is an overdrive


I refer to this as a 3 speed with overdrive but it's tomato/tomato


for HEAVY pulling often it's better to shift to 3rd as the overdrive gear sets are weaker and lack mechanical advantage, the tranny will likely do this for you, but if you find the tranny switching up and down near constantly on a grade, shift it down


mike

Thank you Mike

[Jon in AZ]

I have a 2014 Chevy Roadtrek 6.0L, and I will agree the 6-speed is a great transmission. It has a tow/haul mode and a manual mode with shift buttons for good control on hills. It yields a better-than-expected 18mpg solo and 16 mpg towing our 1600# Scamp trailer. It hardly notices the smaller trailer. No sweat climbing the I-8 grade Into San Diego with four people and a week’s worth of gear, which is a pretty good towing test.

Your trailer is almost double the weight, though, so YMMV.
.