Motorhome/ stacker trailer combo Question

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SCUMAN

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So looking at buying a stacker trailer, how much horsepower is needed to pull it with no issues? Will a 300hp motorhome do just fine or what have you guys found to be the minimum. Any advice is appreciated 

 
I have a question like that too, are you concerned more with torque or HP when pulling with a diesel?

 
What size stacker? How heavy fully loaded? And how big/heavy is the coach before you put a trailer behind it? You really have to look at the whole package. 

 
As mentioned above, it depends on a lot of factors.  FWIW, my 40' dp with C9 cat @ 400hp with a 22' stacker (filled with sandrail and 2 SxS's weighs probably 12k-13k and I can pull most grades (even Tehachapi and those F'ers on I-5 in Oregon) at 55 mph.  With that said, my next RV will have 550+ hp.

 
Jmhanson said:
Dockmaster said:
What size stacker? How heavy fully loaded? And how big/heavy is the coach before you put a trailer behind it? You really have to look at the whole package. 
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So the stacker I would be purchasing is a 28ft stacker (purchase from family member) it would have a sandcar, sxs and a couple dirt bikes in it. So we’re looking for a motorhome but just want to make sure if that’s the route I go I set myself up for success. 
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Jmhanson said:
I have a question like that too, are you concerned more with torque or HP when pulling with a diesel?
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The easy way to look at torque and HP, torque is what gets you up the hill HP determines at what speed.

My coach is 360 HP and for my 26 ft enclosed fully loaded it does okay but if I were pulling a big stacker trailer I would want a big bore engine for torque  with 500 + HP  300 HP will not get you what you need for DP and stacker.

 
I pulled a 26’ stacker that weighed 16k loaded with my Fleetwood Discovery 330. Would pull down to 30 mph on big hills. Flats were fine just take it easy and drive the speed limit. 

I have 400hp tag Moho now  it does the job just fine too  

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I have a 350HP and it does OK towing small loads. For a box trailer I would want at least 400HP and for a stacker I would want at least 450HP.

 
So you are likely looking at a minimum of 15k loaded trailer with that 28’ stacker. . Realistically more but being conservative here. You need to look at more than just HP/torque as many Moho’s out there won’t tow that much. There were lots of threads on this on the site before it crashed. Some take the approach of “as long as my Moho pulls it I’m good”. Others go with the actual tow rating. I don’t like to exceed actual tow rating but that’s just me. This is exactly why I don’t currently have a stacker, wish I did. My Super C is only rated for 10k towing. So I use my all aluminum 32’ enclosed to fit everything. I’m just over 9k loaded. To pull a stacker I wouldn’t do it without a minimum of a 15k tow rating and really would look for 20k. That means an HD Super C or a DP with a tag axle. 

 
I’m at 425hp, 22ft aluminum stacker. Stacker and cars total are about 11,500 lbs. I wish I had about 100 more hp. 

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I have a 28' loaded stacker, fuel tanks, water tanks, air compressor, big tool box, awning etc. and without putting any toys in it it weighs in at 10k. Big horsepower sounds great but there is a huge difference between a 450hp/900tq from most of the diesel pusher engines that are in the 8-9 liter range and a 450hp/1650+tq 13-15 liter engines. Most pushers aren't going to have the bigger 13-15 liter engines unless you really step up to a higher end coach. An 8-9 liter engine will pull a stacker but you need to probably beef up the hitch. I purchased my stacker from a guy that had a 400hp monico tag axle coach and he sold it because his coach wouldn't pull it fast enough for his tastes. It would also overheat when pulling a grade but that had more to do with his driving style than the coach.

 
I have a 24 ft tpd stacker I pull with a Monaco. Mine has the 350 in it and I wish it had more. It does fine on the flats but it isn’t the greatest on the grades. I normally don’t drop below 45 though. I have a can am on the lift and a scu on the lower level with 100 gal of fuel. It has 100 gal water tank on it to but I only fill that when I go back to back weekends or am staying for a week. I would say fully loaded it’s around 15 to 16k. I did build have a big receiver put in so that it can support the weight I would recommend that if you are going to be pulling one. 

 
40 ft Fleetwood Discovery 380hp, 22ft stacker two funcos two quads. I think it tows very well. More hp would be nice. Towed to Idaho from LA did great up El Cajon pass and Baker grade. Got a little hot on the way home outside of Salt Lake city but just down shift and watch temp. On the way to Glamis no problems. 

 
My 2001 Holiday Rambler has a 330hp Cummins with a Banks 400hp kit that was installed by the previous owner.  I tow my 25' tall box enclosed fully loaded probably close to 12k lbs.  Not too many hills between my house and Glamis so I feel it tows just fine.  I did take it and my flatbed to Idaho a few years ago and on some of the hills I was down to 30mph.  Rides nice at 85mph on Utah highways.  Rides like shiat on any highway at any speed in California.

Said it before many times on this forum- I have yet to see the trophy ceremony at the top of a steep highway grade.  

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Towed this stacker for my buddy @tjz06 but it wasn't 'fully' loaded.  Just had his 2 seat Potter and some gear, no water or fuel.  Towed better than my enclosed.

 
I would not consider anything less than a 400hp pusher for what you're describing.

As mentioned repeatedly - not going to be fast on the hills, and get friendly with the fuel pumps....

 
Dockmaster said:
So you are likely looking at a minimum of 15k loaded trailer with that 28’ stacker. . Realistically more but being conservative here. You need to look at more than just HP/torque as many Moho’s out there won’t tow that much. There were lots of threads on this on the site before it crashed. Some take the approach of “as long as my Moho pulls it I’m good”. Others go with the actual tow rating. I don’t like to exceed actual tow rating but that’s just me. This is exactly why I don’t currently have a stacker, wish I did. My Super C is only rated for 10k towing. So I use my all aluminum 32’ enclosed to fit everything. I’m just over 9k loaded. To pull a stacker I wouldn’t do it without a minimum of a 15k tow rating and really would look for 20k. That means an HD Super C or a DP with a tag axle. 
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Back in the day, we ended up with a conversion exactly for this reason.

 
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