Can you put a tow truck stinger on a motorhome (RV)?
Some terms may not be global, inline descriptions for questionable terms
A motorhome is RV with an engine (as opposed to a camp trailer that is pulled by another vehicle). Many people will tow a small car behind it to use for running around when the RV is parked at a campsite.
Currently there are 3 basic approaches to towing the car
- 4 tires on the ground, with a towbar connecting the car to the RV
- A tow dolly, a small trailer like device that the front tires of the car sit on
- A full size car trailer that the entire car rides on.
For the first two it is not possible/recommended to backup with the car attached. You can backup with the full car trailer, but at the camp ground it is big extra thing to put someplace.
A 'wheel lift' or 'stinger' is a device on a tow truck that picks a car up by the tires. There are several manufacturers in the US that makes ones that "hide" under the back of a pickup, cost start around $4,000 for a brand new stinger. A car being towed on stinger, can be backed up just like a trailer.
By putting a hidden stinger on the back of a motorhome, you could backup without disconnecting the towed car AND not have anything extra to put someplace at the campground.
My question: A stinger on the back of a Motorhome seems like a wonderful solution to many of the hassles of towing a car. Why can't I find any examples (lots of googling) of it being done? If it is not possible/practical why?
RV Classes (for clarity of question) There are 3 basic "classes" of motorized RVs, Wikipedia has an article with details, there are execptions and variables, but for the purpose of this question, the below is a guideline
Class A - This is purpose built on a heavy truck chassis. The exterior may resemble a bus, or camp trailer, the drivers area is an intricate part of the "home". The truck chassis is not near any load limits.
Class B - A complete van, as you would purchase from a local dealer to haul stuff, has an RV built inside it. The exterior will look like a delivery van, possibly with special paint, custom windows, and possibly a raised roof. The Drivers area easily access the camper area. As built it may or may not be near load limits of the vehicle.
Class C - A marriage of the other two classes, A normal van is ordered from the Manufacture (i.e. Ford) but without a complete van body. The body stops just behind the driver's seat. The RV builder builds a camper on the bare frame back of the van. The exterior will look like someone grafted a camp trailer on to a van. Access between the drivers area and the camper may be difficult. As built it will most likely be very near the chassis load limit.
Of the above Classes, the Class C would not be a good candidate for a stinger, it would be near it load limit, while not impossible. it would be improbable. The Class B would be a good candidate for the stinger, but owners of them use them as both a camper and for casual running around, they would not have a interest in towing a car. Class A these are the most expensive, and the largest, they are very capable of towing heavy loads, and can easily support the extra weight of the stinger and car. The Class A is the most likely to have car towed behind it.
1 answer
One reason not is tongue weight. Over 60% of the vehicle weight is on hitch.
A truck is designed to take a load in the bed so there is extra capacity. Most tow trucks are double rear wheel.
On an RV the frame is already loaded to near capacity.
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