Can You Tow an RV With a Motorhome?

It’s not uncommon to see a motorhome pulling a tow vehicle. It’s rare, but sometimes you’ll even see a motorhome towing a boat or OHV (off-highway vehicle). But what about towing an RV, such as a travel trailer or pop-up camper behind your motorhome? Can you do it?

We’re here to weigh the pros and cons of towing an RV behind a motorhome, some safety concerns, and its legality. Read on to learn more!

Can You Tow an RV With a Motorhome?

So, can you tow an RV with a motorhome? The answer is yes, but you need to keep a few things in mind. First, you’ll need to ensure your motorhome has a towing hitch. 

Second, you’ll need to use the proper equipment, such as safety chains and brake lights. Finally, you’ll need to know the weight limit for your particular vehicle. With all this information and a bit of research and skill, you can tow an RV with your motorhome.

➡ If you’re new to towing, check out our top tips for first-timers: How to Tow an RV: The Beginner’s Guide

What Are the Benefits of Pulling an RV With a Motorhome?

The primary benefit of pulling an RV with a motorhome is having additional living space. And towing the RV cuts down on the number of vehicles you need to drive to and from your destination. 

Perhaps you have a large family and need the extra space, or you may have a friend traveling with you who wants their own living quarters. Towing a camper provides more space for toys or people.

What Are the Disadvantages of Towing an RV With a Motorhome?

There are a few disadvantages to towing an RV with a motorhome. First, ensure your motorhome has the power to pull the travel trailer or pop-up camper.

Secondly, pulling an RV with a motorhome can decrease fuel efficiency and increase wear and tear on the vehicle, particularly on the engine, transmission, and brakes.

Finally, towing an RV with a motorhome can be dangerous if not done properly. Ensure that the vehicle has the proper towing equipment and that the driver knows how to drive safely while pulling a trailer.  If not, you can easily lose control of the vehicle and cause an accident. Pulling an RV behind a motorhome adds instability while driving and makes you more susceptible to strong winds.

How Much Can I Tow With My Motorhome?

How much your motorhome can tow is a loaded question because of the various types you may have. There is no one-size-fits-all answer.

For instance, even among Class A motorhomes, the number differs. Most gas-powered Class As can tow around 5,000 lbs, while a diesel-powered Class A might tow upward of 10,000 to 15,000 lbs.

A Class C motorhome often has a broader range of abilities, spanning from an average of about 3,500 to 8,000 lbs. However, a Super C might handle as much as 40,000 lbs. 

Class Bs, being the smallest size, usually limit the towing capacity to 3,500 to 5,000 lbs. Always check your owner’s manual to know what your motorhome’s manufacturer states is a safe weight for your vehicle to tow.

➡ Feeling confused about motorhome classes? We share a full breakdown here: Differences in Class A, B, and C RV Motorhomes Explained

How Do I Find the Towing Capacity of My Motorhome?

As you can see in the last section, it’s not a good idea to go off of generalizations when determining the towing capacity of your motorhome. You need to find out precisely what your vehicle can safely tow.

You can find your motorhome’s towing capacity in the owner’s manual. If you can’t find the towing capacity, you can calculate it by subtracting the weight of your loaded motorhome from its Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR). You can usually find this on a label inside the driver’s side door.

But remember, any vehicle can only safely tow an amount of weight equal to its lowest-rated towing component. For instance, if the tow hitch of your motorhome has a 5,000 lb rating, you can only safely tow that much. This is regardless of what any other calculation might indicate.

Did you know? You can tow a car behind your Class B Campervan! Learn how here.

How Long of a Trailer Can I Tow Behind a Motorhome? 

No single rule defines how long of a trailer you can pull behind a motorhome. Most states limit a travel trailer’s length to somewhere between 40 and 45 ft. But that doesn’t fully answer the question, either.

The more crucial question is how long the combined length of your motorhome and travel trailer can be. Most states range from 60 to 70 ft of combined length. However, other states have shorter limits, allowing as long as 75 combined feet, while still others have no specification.

The RV Industry Association has a good guide to the specifications of different states, but you should only use it as a reference point in your search. To know how long your motorhome and trailer combination can be, you’ll want to check each state’s regulations through which you intend to travel.

What RV Can Tow 10,000 Pounds?

Some diesel-powered Class A motorhomes can tow 10,000 lbs or more. Even some Class C RVs can pull more than that. But the hands-down winner in weight is the Super C, built on a heavy-duty or semi-truck chassis. A Super C can tow well over 10,000 lbs and sometimes upward of 40,000 lbs.

➡ Never heard of a Super C? Here’s what you need to know: 10 Reasons Why the Super C Motorhome Is the King of RVs.

Is It Safe to Tow an RV With a Motorhome?

We’ve answered the question as to whether you can tow an RV with a motorhome. We’ve also talked about the weight it can handle, how long the combination can be, and which motorhomes can pull heavier RVs. But is it really safe to tow an RV with a motorhome?

That’s an important question. But again, there is no clear answer. Can it be safe? Yes. But it depends on your motorhome, your towing equipment, and your ability behind the wheel.

These factors go hand in hand. The first thing you have to know is whether or not your motorhome and towing equipment have the proper ratings for the RV that you want to pull. But even if you are golden on that fact, if you don’t feel comfortable driving a large vehicle or towing a trailer, it may not be safe.

On the flip side, even if you have a wealth of experience driving large vehicles and towing, it can’t increase the reliability of your equipment. In such a case, safety again is compromised.

But if all factors align, you can safely tow an RV with a motorhome.

Another common question we get asked is if lifted trucks can tow RVs. The answer may surprise you! Learn more here: Can You Tow an RV with a Lifted Truck?

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