I wanted to tow my Barth behind the Zephyr and reposition it to Florida. Anyone have any experience with this? I'm looking to disconnect the driveshaft and clamp a tow bar to the front bumper.



I think this might work:
Roadmaster CLASSIC Tow Bar Mounting Bracket 171-2

That bracket is engineered for something the size and weight of a full size van.
Furthermore, won't you be taxing your tow vehicle?

The bracket holding on the bumper does not look like it is up to towing the vehicle. Whils this barth does have tow hooks, I'm sure they were never meant for long distance towing.

The Zyper has a GVWR of 46,000# and a GCWR of 61,600#. This is where I would look first. What is the weight of your Barth? Next I would look at the brake controller and then the overall legal length of the combination. I am a born worry wart and just like to have a huge margin for error in everything I do.

I think it would be safer to drive it.

Personally know a person who tried to tow a Toyota Dolphin MH (class C) AND wrecked after a few miles. He said the towbar gave out, I believe it is not rated for so much weight. But there is a thread somewhere here of a guy towing his 1970s Barth successfully, I think with a dually.
I am sceptical about towing that much weight without brakes on it.

I learned my lesson on towing about 25 years ago.

When towing with a towbar, always have a bigger tow vehicle than the vehicle you are towing.

Things like a long wheelbase and weight figure in dramatically on your being able to control the vehicle in tow.

I tried to tow a 1972 Chevy 3/4 ton pickup with my 1983 Chevy S-10 Blazer. Everything went well for a couple of miles. After I got up past 25 mph, the 72 Chevy was way too much for my Blazer....too heavy, too wide and my Blazer was too short of a wheelbase and too narrow a track.. The 1972 started to run the show... I slowed down, got it under control and managed the few miles more to my destination.

Hope that helps someone.

My Zephyr would have no problem towing this Barth. My car hauler loaded with a Lincoln Navigator weighs more than the Barth. Thanks for the input. I really appreciate it.

Larry,

The dynamics of towing four down are completely different than trailer towing. It's not all about weight, but about stress on components. Towing four down creates exponentially higher turning resistance. This is even more pronounced with big rigs and high overhangs like your Zephyr or my Wanderlodge.

As others have stated, the tow bar is no where near properly rated. The bumper is also no where near capable as, say, a frame mounted hitch. Why chance a catastrophe.

The trailer with the SUV has brakes; I don't know how you'd power the Barth's brakes. The Barth's front wheels may or may not caster in turns. I can't imagine how it could be towed safely, even if a robust towbar could be found.

I'd contact a truck load broker and see if I couldn't get a lowboy to backhaul it.

quote:

My car hauler loaded with a Lincoln Navigator weighs more than the Barth.

What does your Barth weigh? From other posts, I'm guessing the Barth is around 12,000 lbs. I'm guessing the Navigator is around 6000 lbs and maybe 3000 for the trailer?

I went and weighed my Royale (P30 chassis)last week. I thought it was around 14,000. WITHOUT being completely loaded and missing my wife and 2 of my boys, it came in at 17,900 pounds. I'd hate to say but it might push 19,000 loaded out with everyone......


Too bad you don't know a reliable college student who could drive it down for you...

Sounds like you've made up your mind, Turbo Dr., and won't take NO! for an answer. look forward to reading your (or heir's) post about how it went.

ask the local RV dealer who delivers the new RVs from the factory. Them guys always look for a ride back or some extra money, a lot are retired and take a trip to Florida. Last I heard they get about 50 cents per mile plus gas.

If you can get us to Amarillo and back to Tennessee from Florida, Tere and I will be happy to drive it down there for you. I had a service drive a Dynasty from Florida to California and it cost around $2000. Considering the time and fuel cost, it wasn't a bad deal.
Jim

quote:

If you can get us to Amarillo and back to Tennessee from Florida,

That spawns another idea.... We have a close friend who is a retired engineer. A local car dealership flies him all over the country to pick up new cars for clients adn drive them back to Oklahoma. I know he has been flown as far as the east coast and drove cars back here.

If you'd like, I could contact him and see if he'd be interested. I'm sure he would and I'd trust him with my coach in a heartbeat.

We are due east of you, in Central Oklahoma on I-40 and that might help out...