Pulling a trailer with a MCI

Tikvah · October 20, 2015, 10:25:43 AM

I know this has been covered a thousand times. But, somethings are worth revisiting.

I'm considering pulling a trailer. Fully loaded between 6000 - 8000 lbs. What things do I need to consider?

Also, do weight distribution hitches help with a bus hookup?

Thanks,
Dave

LowTide · October 20, 2015, 10:46:26 AM

Good question Dave! I have been pondering this as well.
We have a KIA sorento and would like to keep it but it seems this vehicle can not be towed at all and has to go on a trailer.
The problem I see with pulling a trailer is we will always have to find pull thru sites or park the trailer and car in an overflow area, which I am not to keen about and then hooking the darn thing up when we leave. And I am sure it will dig into the gas mileage....please correct me if I am wrong.

It sure does seem like allot of work, but then again, you can't have everything. At this point we have to decide between a trailer and keep existing auto or purchase a jeep we can flat tow........

Mike

Tikvah · October 20, 2015, 10:48:53 AM

I currently flat-tow and prefer that, but I'm going to need the trailer for business (the car will go on the trailer too).

Since it's business I can justify the inconvenience of unhooking, or pull-through sites.

bevans6 · October 20, 2015, 10:59:07 AM

And there are a thousand answers, one or more per person...

I have an MC-5C. I have a 20 foot box trailer (25 feet ball to bumper) trailer that loaded is between 6000 and 8000 lbs. I also have a car that, on it's dolly, is around 3500 lbs. I have a hitch that I got here: http://www.busrvparts.com/Towing%20Hitches.htm I rarely, OK never, take the bus on a trip without one or the other towed behind me. I use a dead weight hitch for the dolly and a equalizing hitch for the trailer. The point of the equalizing hitch with the bus is not to restore ride height or to transfer weight, it's to remove the twisting torque on the hitch and mounting points that you get from the tongue weight. I use a Prodigy brake controller for the electric brakes.

So from a guy who's been there, done that, did the math and is satisfied with the engineering, I do indeed tow a trailer. Yes, the engine subframe might crack. Mine is fine. Part of my thought process was the significant weight reduction on the same frame that supports the trailer hitch from the removal of the ac compressor, the substitution of a muffler that weighs 100 lbs less than stock, the seats and passengers that aren't in the bus over the engine bay, and the lack of the factory lavatory with it's weight. That all probably adds up to the tongue weight of the trailer.

Brian

sledhead · October 20, 2015, 02:24:08 PM

good timing !

I am planing to pull a 16' beaver tail aluminum car trailer ( aprox. 1500 lbs ) + a 2015 colorado at 3900 lbs so total pull weight of aprox. 5400 lbs . I have not tried the set up yet but other then the extra weight of the trailer I think the drag will be less with the trailer , truck then with my old flat tow ranger that was 3600 lbs . + the trailer has 2 axles both with brakes , + now I will be able to back the trailer up if needed .
so has any one done this and am I right about the less drag because of the trailer ?

thanks dave

edvanland · October 20, 2015, 03:37:54 PM

We have a MCI 7 with a 8-V92 and 740 Allison trans we pull a 24 foot box trailer with a Honda Trike and a Jeep Rubicon in it. Have towed it probably 10000 miles or more and have never had a problem. The trailer is a 3 axel with breaks on all wheels. What is nice when we get to some where we unload the jeep and use it to put the trailer where we want it if we are going to be there a few days and then we have a garage for the trike. Don't have to worry about the trike in the open as it is in the portable garage.
Works for us
ED & Janet

Rick 74 MC-8 · October 20, 2015, 04:07:25 PM

I have a 74 MC 8 with a 8v71n and Allison 740. I pulled a car on a dolly a couple of Jeeps 4 down a pop up camper and now I pull a 20 foot enclosed trailer. It can be a little tight getting around sometimes but I really enjoy having the extra space. I haven't put the car in the trailer yet but have pulled with the motorcycles in it. I have put air-conditioning a bathroom with a small sink a refrigerator and fold down bunks off the sides and a queen size off the rear door. That gives me sleeping for 6 more. As far as aerodynamics it's a 102 wide between 65 and 70 miles per hour I can't feel it but I can see it buffer in the draft.

RJ · October 20, 2015, 04:42:46 PM

Dave -

IMHO, one of these is cheap insurance that you won't end up with coach chassis issues from the instantaneous dynamic loads placed on the hitch from the trailer bouncing up and down on the super slab:

www.trailertoad.com

Not needed if you're flat towing, btw.

FWIW & HTH. . .

luvrbus · October 20, 2015, 04:53:58 PM

I have 2 factory installed 10,000# hitches from MCI's they were removed because they would drag coming out of the barn in Laughlin.

I think they came off the A models maybe the C's not for sure but they are MCI hitches,I plan on using 1 on the DL

thomasinnv · October 20, 2015, 05:57:09 PM

Hey clifford is that the kind that bolt on at the bumper mounts? Will that bolt up to my mc8? If so can I buy it from you?

Scott & Heather · October 21, 2015, 06:31:22 PM

^ curious too

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

luvrbus · October 21, 2015, 07:19:36 PM

It goes behind the bumper the best I can tell it has wedge shape plate on each end with 5 bolts and 1 bolt in the center for the bumper mount bolt it doesn't look to me like it ties into the engine cradle unless it is missing some parts

Fredward · October 21, 2015, 07:36:35 PM

For what its worth, I've pulled a Ford Mustang thousands of miles on a dolly and I've pulled the Harley on a 10 foot Aluminum utility trailer. So I've never put any significant tongue weight on my MC-5. Both times I've pulled the engine, the point where the left hand sub frame attaches to the square vertical tube was cracked. First time, we plated over the entire area and welded the sub frame to that and it still cracked. Not sure what is going on there but I'd be hesitant to put any tongue weight on an MC-5.

Fred

thomasinnv · October 22, 2015, 08:01:18 AM

Hey clifford do you wanna sell one of those? Are you guys at home I been wanting to come by and visit with you anyway.

bevans6 · October 22, 2015, 09:23:35 AM

It sounds just like my hitch pictured in the link in around post 4, up there somewhere. With mine you have to cut off 1" of the lower lip of the bumper, so it sounds like it has been raised a bit compared to the factory job.

Brian