BCM Community
Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: johns4104s on January 11, 2009, 01:57:33 PM
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I am looking at pulling a trailer and car. The total weight of both is 6000Lbs. I have a 8v92T and Allison 750, Does anyone have the experience with about the same set up? What would be the difference in MPG without this load. Any input would be appreciated.
John
PS The trailer is a open car hauler
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My bus comes in at about 32000 lbs so pulling a 4000 lb toad makes for normal load. I get about 7 MPG that way. Jerry
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The biggest issue you're going to have is tongue weight. An 8V92 with your bus probably will hardly notice the weight of the trailer.
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Hi John.
The subject of pulling a trailer comes up here quite often. There are a bunch of threads that have lots of discussions.
You will not have any problem with power and at the worst, you might see a .5-1.0 MPG reduction (maybe less - lots depends on your right foot).
The real issue is the hitch structure. Before I get into that, I assume you have weighed your combination. My guess is that is a low figure if you have a standard size car and a good trailer.
The issue with the structure is the ability to handle vertical loads. If your weight is correct, you will have at least 600 pounds on the hitch. That is quite a bit, since the hitch structure is hung off the engine cradle system.
At one time, I was going to write an article for George Myers' publication, and I accumulated quite a bit of information. I have that posted at: http://www.rvsafetysystems.com/Trailer%20Towing.htm
Jim
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John, I tow a trailer with a tractor behind my Eagle weighing around 10,000# that has a 8v92 and a 740 never had any trouble and I do this about 2 times a year from AZ to TX and back and I have not noticed much fuel mileage or power difference
good luck
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John:
Can we get a clarification on the coach make/model you are talking about? From your board user name, it sounds like you have a GMC 4104, but your reference to the 8V92T has me doubting that. Maybe you have multiple coaches, or bought something new without changing your board name. The photo next to your name is too tiny for me to make out exactly what model it is.
If you truely have a 8V92T in a 4104, then obviously you have enough horsepower/torque to tow whatever you want. But as already mentioned, tongue weight is a concern. If there really is a 8V92T in the back of a 4104, there was some serious modifications done to get it to fit, and who knows what the cradle looks like today. We would only be guessing at what additional tongue weight could be added.
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Although I trarted 26 years ago with a 4104, I have recently purchased a MCI 9 the the 8v92T and 750 combination.
John
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I have seen these posts numerous times on these forums about towing a trailer or toad. Personally I think we should be asking about a braking system in stopping these things rather than whether we have enough power to pull them.
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Eagle, I have electric brakes on my trailer (both axles) and with the new brake controllers no excuse not to have brakes on the trailers it just takes 1 wire to the back now good luck
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That's great luvrbus but my thoughts are very few folks seem to be worried about stopping these things.
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Eagle.
Great point, I do have breaks on both axles.
John
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There are several sites but here is one
http://www.boatwheels.biz/brakelaws.pdf (http://www.boatwheels.biz/brakelaws.pdf)
Doesn't really matter what your bus can handle ... I do know Idaho checks even out of state rigs.
This may not include toads that is usually another set of laws.
FWIW
bye bye
Skip
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we pull a chevy express van loaded with tools, nuts, bolts, cable, so probably 5-7000. i have not noticed any problems with engine, or towing. we ran 70-75mph from fl to al yesterday. we do have a 10000 lb hitch and tow bar. and yes, we do now have a brake system. (thanks to assistance from Marty Gross and Ed Roehle).
mileage on the way down from ohio to florida, 7.2mpg. 8v92 with 740.
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I guess I always assume anyone buying a trailer with a GVW high enough to handle a car will be buying a trailer with brakes. Unless you build your own trailer it would quite unusual for a manufactured trailer not to have brakes.
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That's very true Belfert about manufactures but some stay within the law by just installing brakes on 1 axle on a tandem trailer good luck
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Manast
Thats great MPG, I drive about 60/65 so there is hope for me getting 7 to 8 MPG,
John
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I guess I always assume anyone buying a trailer with a GVW high enough to handle a car will be buying a trailer with brakes. Unless you build your own trailer it would quite unusual for a manufactured trailer not to have brakes.
Brian your quite wrong there! I can take you over to the bootheel area of Missouri and show you a dozen trailer manufacturer's that sell stacks of "car hauler" trailers every day that never have brakes unless ordered and paid extra for separately! They have them loaded in stacks in the yard and you get X # of trailers for X $ sometimes they are all black or sometimes there is a mix match of colors. Or if you want a special color or specific # of this color or that color then you call several days in advance and show up cash in hand on the day scheduled and hook up to the bottom trailer andtow them home! I see it all the time! FWIW ;D BK ;D