Dear Dave,
We moved from a Class C to a 5th wheel, and now have a 2022 Tiffin Allegro Red 38KA. I have a 2022 GMC Sierra 2500 pickup. Weight-wise, I see no problem towing the pickup with this diesel pusher. Do you? —Tim
Dear Tim,
According to the Tiffin specs, your Allegro with the diesel engine has a towing capacity of 10,000 lbs. I always recommend taking off at least 10 percent of maximum towing capacity as I do not want to be at maximum weight traveling in mountains, on hot days, or in rain. So, let’s say a safe towing capacity would be 9,000 lbs.
According to the GMC specifications, your GMC 2500 can weigh up to 6,985 lbs., which is well below the weight we have determined. However, that is an empty unit. According to the specs it can have a payload of 4,000 lbs., which would put it over the safe towing weight. Now, most people don’t load the back of the truck with 4,000 lbs. of dirt when they go camping. However, you need to factor in all items that will be put into the truck and the truck bed when towing it so that you stay within your weight limits.
Check owner’s manual to see if you can tow a GMC 2500
The next thing to consider is finding out if your GMC 2500 be towed flat on the ground without damaging anything. According to the specs, you cannot tow a two-wheel drive model or one that has a single speed transfer case. Check your owner’s manual for specifics on towing your model.
If you can tow, I would recommend a supplemental braking system such as the Blue Ox Patriot. Not only is it a safety issue, but it is also a law in many states and required by most chassis manufacturers when more than 2500 lbs. is being towed.
Dave Solberg is a leading expert in the RV industry and author of the “RV Handbook” as well as the Managing Editor of the RV Repair Club.
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I guess they are selling Blue Ox Patriots today….
Who are you referring to, Gary? RVtravel.com? Do you see a link in there to that product? They are not one of our advertisers. We don’t get a commission from them. Dave just made a recommendation — nothing wrong with that. So what was your point? Sheesh! –Diane
We have two friends that tow full size Chevy pickups behind their Tiffin Motorhomes with no problem.
As far as braking systems, My vote is for Air Force One.
We have transferred our Air Force One system between motorhomes with no problems at all.
Agree, if you have air brakes and travel in the mountains, the air force one works better as when the exhaust or engine brake is on going down steep grades, the towed vehicles brakes are not applied unless you use the motorhome brakes. The other styles use inertia braking when the mh brake lights come on which they do by law when the exhaust or engine brake is on. Gas mh, the patriot would be a great choice. The patriot does cut the brakes off after 45 seconds as to not over heat the brakes, but coming down Afton mtn. In va., it’s 7 miles down a 5 percent, that’s almost 7 minutes.
And please, this is in no way a hit on Dave that seems so popular on this site, i appreciate Dave’s articles to help all of us out in this great adventure, this is just a little info that may help the person set up his rig.
I have used several braking systems over the years. For towing heavy vehicles with air brake equipped coaches it is my opinion that nothing beats the Demco Air Force One system. It is completely proportional, smooth as silk on the road, and once installed the only trip setup or takedown is connecting or disconnecting the air line between the coach and toad.
I will never go back to bulky units sitting on the toad’s floor.
We tow a Silverado 4×4 crew cab at slightly more than 6000 lbs. You must have the 4×4 neutral capability to flat tow. There’s quite a process to follow to prep the vehicle drivetrain for flat towing…so many steps that I put them on a laminated card we keep in the cab so I make sure I don’t miss any steps.
Supplemental braking an absolute must. We love our M&G System.
A drive train disconnect may solve the flat tow problem for the 2 wheel drive models.