2016 Redhawk Toad

Wangus · 10-15-2017, 07:26 AM

We have the 2016 Redhawk 31XL with the 7,500 lb. hitch capacity. I've calculated all the weights and should have between 6,000-6,200 lbs capacity left for a TOAD. There are 5 of us (3 kids in car/booster seats), so I have to tow a larger vehicle. I'm considering the purchase of a new Ford F150 to tow behind the coach - should be in the 5,500 lb range after putting bikes/firewood/etc in the truck bed.

Anyone out there towing a vehicle this heavy behind their V10 motorhome? Would welcome any feedback on towing that large a vehicle.

Thanks and happy motoring!

Old skipper · 10-15-2017, 02:25 PM

I do not have the same coach but my set up is similar set up. I tow my 1 ton dually behind the Seneca 9,500 pounds and am satisfied with how it tows. I towed a. 7,000 pound trailer behind my gas V10 class A. Weight was not a problem soft suspension and cross winds were with or without a trailer or toad.

mini4mw · 10-15-2017, 03:27 PM

I've heard they tow really well, but waiting to find out. I have a Greyhawk 31FS on order. I'm in the same boat w/ 3 smaller kids. I'm planning on towing our Odyssey on an ACME electric hydraulic brakes right now (electric takes width from 80 to 83"). The Odyssey is 2,200 lbs on front axle and 4,600 total.

Are you planning on using a trailer or tow dolly? If a tow dolly, what manufacturer are you going to use?

Old skipper · 10-15-2017, 03:57 PM

I tow a 2017 Cadillac XT5 on a Demco SST dolly. It tows great brakes well but I am at the max width so loading seems to be critical have not used this set up enough to know what my tolerances are. I really like having the surge brake over the electric with a brake controller just hook up to any vehicle and go.

Wangus · 10-15-2017, 05:48 PM

@Mini4. Dinghy vs dolly depends on what vehicle I end up buying. If the F150, I will flat tow. If something like a Mazda CX-9, Ford Edge, GMC Acadia, etc, will likely use a dolly. I haven’t researched dollies yet, to be honest. If you have researched, would be glad to hear your thoughts as well. I know I’d be looking for something with surge brakes.

@OldSkip. Thanks for your input!

Appreciate everyone’s time responding....

Bluesky46 · 11-02-2017, 11:53 AM

Just my opinion, but I think 5,500# might be a heavy tow. I was at 4,500# on my 2012, then went to a 2,300# toad, noticed a big difference. But your rig is newer and has a higher tow rating than my 2012. I'm not sure what the difference is.

foglght · 11-02-2017, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wangus

We have the 2016 Redhawk 31XL with the 7,500 lb. hitch capacity. I've calculated all the weights and should have between 6,000-6,200 lbs capacity left for a TOAD. There are 5 of us (3 kids in car/booster seats), so I have to tow a larger vehicle. I'm considering the purchase of a new Ford F150 to tow behind the coach - should be in the 5,500 lb range after putting bikes/firewood/etc in the truck bed.

Anyone out there towing a vehicle this heavy behind their V10 motorhome? Would welcome any feedback on towing that large a vehicle.

Thanks and happy motoring!

I have 3 kids as well. We use a wrangler unlimited as the toad. The motorhome will be able to tow it, though with an extra 1,500 lbs or so with the F-150 it may struggle up grades.

We have a 31FS.

1720v331RV · 11-02-2017, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wangus

We have the 2016 Redhawk 31XL with the 7,500 lb. hitch capacity. I've calculated all the weights and should have between 6,000-6,200 lbs capacity left for a TOAD. There are 5 of us (3 kids in car/booster seats), so I have to tow a larger vehicle. I'm considering the purchase of a new Ford F150 to tow behind the coach - should be in the 5,500 lb range after putting bikes/firewood/etc in the truck bed.

Anyone out there towing a vehicle this heavy behind their V10 motorhome? Would welcome any feedback on towing that large a vehicle.

Thanks and happy motoring!

https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f...1fs-51944.html

1720v331RV · 11-02-2017, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wangus

We have the 2016 Redhawk 31XL with the 7,500 lb. hitch capacity. I've calculated all the weights and should have between 6,000-6,200 lbs capacity left for a TOAD. There are 5 of us (3 kids in car/booster seats), so I have to tow a larger vehicle. I'm considering the purchase of a new Ford F150 to tow behind the coach - should be in the 5,500 lb range after putting bikes/firewood/etc in the truck bed.

Anyone out there towing a vehicle this heavy behind their V10 motorhome? Would welcome any feedback on towing that large a vehicle.

Thanks and happy motoring!

We had the hitch "upgraded" to tow a 22ft enclosed trailer w/race car and equipment, [6600lbs.?] and it's been problem free.

Boudreaux · 11-03-2017, 09:39 AM

We tow a Subaru Forester (3300 lbs, standard trans) behind our '16 Greyhawk 29mv.

ncbomaman · 02-05-2018, 03:07 PM

I just bought a 2016 29 ME. The V10 can handle the load, but curious if anyone else is pulling the same. Haven't bought the baseplate or tow bar yet. Still waiting to hear what's best.

mini4mw · 02-05-2018, 03:37 PM

I picked up an ACME Surge dolly. I'll be towing an 06 Odyssey with the Greyhawk. I set it up and took it for a spin around the neighborhood with my truck. The Tow Master has a deck that turns so the vehicle wheels stay straight while the ACME you leave the steering column unlocked (make sure you vehicle can do it, I have to turn the keys on, then back to Off, but not to the final lock position that let's me take keys out. Power isn't on in the car so the batteries should be ok, otherwise you need to get an adapter to charge the battery from the 7 pin or disconnect the battery to make sure you don't drain it while driving). When I went around small turns I could see the steering wheel in the van turn so it appears to be working as it should and the dolly/vehicle tracked fine. If I make a tight turn (say right turn vs long left turn) the dolly wheels skip/drag due to the vehicle not steering/turning enough. It looks similar to how a trailer with a dual axle will drag tires sideways while making a tight turn. Perhaps I had the straps too tight to keep the van from from turning enough, but I don't think so. I haven't taken any trips pulling with the Grey yet, but I don't expect any difference. The tires are ST grade with the softer sidewall, so I expect it should be fine. The tires will just wear faster with more tight turns.

I will say I need to adjust the straps, which I've done but not tested yet. On the test run I had the straps that go around the side of the tire over the top 1/2 of the tire (10-3 o'clock position) which may have prevented the vehicle tires from turning more. I reviewed the instructions again and shortened the length so the side straps will be mostly on the back 1/2 of the tire (12-4 o'clock). Its possible the straps were too far forward for the tire to turn more easily.

yellowdog00 · 02-05-2018, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wangus

We have the 2016 Redhawk 31XL with the 7,500 lb. hitch capacity. I've calculated all the weights and should have between 6,000-6,200 lbs capacity left for a TOAD. There are 5 of us (3 kids in car/booster seats), so I have to tow a larger vehicle. I'm considering the purchase of a new Ford F150 to tow behind the coach - should be in the 5,500 lb range after putting bikes/firewood/etc in the truck bed.

Anyone out there towing a vehicle this heavy behind their V10 motorhome? Would welcome any feedback on towing that large a vehicle.

Thanks and happy motoring!

I'm planning on purchasing the Greyhawk when the 2019s come out and also want to tow the F-150. I've been researching this as well.

I got the most help from a guy with the handle "hilgert" on the IRV2 forum. I saw where he towed his F150 with the same chassis as the Greyhawk/Redhawk and I PMed him for additional info. He had me send him my cell and he called me and we talked for half an hour. He went through his exact setup and why he was using what he had and how difficult to install, etc. I learned a lot from the call as he had done a lot of research. Very helpful guy and I'm sure he would do the same if made the inquiry over there as well.

A lot of very helpful folks on these forums.

Vergari59 · 02-10-2018, 09:51 AM

We have 3 kids as well 7,6 & 3. Rig set up is below in signature. We do have the 3 yo in a car seat and the others in booster. GVWR is for jeep is 5600lbs. RV does a good job towing it.

jd99336 · 02-11-2018, 10:12 AM

We bought a 2016 Cherokee KL Trailhawk (because it sounds like GreyHawk...LOL). About 4200 loaded and no issues. We flat tow with a ReadyBrute towbar/surge brake. Very nice set up. Biggest hassle and thing to remember is that the Cherokee requires a "Flat Tow Harness" from Jeep. They didn't anticipate the problems of wobble caused by the Electric Power Steering. Negotiate the harness and install in your purchase price as it can run $500-1000 after the fact. But....love the combination of the Cherokee, five passenger seating and credible off-road performance.

stans02 · 02-18-2018, 08:25 PM

I towed my O8 Ford Edge with my 02, it had the V 10, and worked just fine. Stan

mini4mw · 04-08-2018, 07:11 PM

Just came back from a 300 mile round trip and first experience towing using the ACME surge break tow dolly w/ a 6000lb Honda Odyssey. Overall I am very pleased. The Greyhawk towed without any issues. I can't see the Honda in the mirrors and many times I'd pull up the rear camera just to take a look (can't see it from mirrors). Going up a 6 degree hill in TN mountains I had no issues maintaining 55-65mph. Gears dropped down in tow mode going down and barely had to use the brakes. Didn't take good numbers on MPG, but it was somewhere around 8. Only complaint on ACME is that sharp turns cause the dolly to skip sideways as it requires the car to steer. The car just doesn't steer that sharp. I emailed ACME after I witnessed the same during testing and they said it was normal. A Tow Master that has a turning sled may not have the same issue. The ACME is easy to maneuver off-hitch and I can push it around as needed. One of the bigger benefits is being able to stand it up right. Fits vertically in the garage, taking 2' and fits nicely (perhaps 2-3 exposed) under the rig if I back up over it.

As a side note, I'm not a lead foot, so it does take some time to get up to speed, but the E-450 does fine once you get there.

Wangus · 04-11-2018, 02:25 PM

Thanks everyone for the replies. We just ordered the Blue Ox baseplate and Alpha tow bar along with the SMI Stay-n-Play DUO braking system. Now to get the install scheduled...

Bobman · 04-12-2018, 12:19 PM

I flat tow a 2013 Ford Explorer behind my Greyhawk. The rig seems to tow it OK. I don't think I would want to go heavier.

cabinetmaker · 04-12-2018, 06:42 PM

Towing the V10 will. Stopping is another story!

Be sure you get a good brake system for the f150 and make sure it works.

Also, if your truck has electric steering you may have issues. I would check.

We tow a 2018 4door Jeep Rubicon Recon behind our Greyhawk 29MVP. Tows great and fun to explore in.

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