Announcement Block
As of 12/1/2021, a major update of the forum software was accomplished

Update: 3/7/2024: The Eagles email account at GoDaddy no longer works. I have set up a gmail account as a workaround: eaglesinternational.email at gmail.com

Registration is open to the public (*) and free from any cost or obligation. Please allow up to 36 hours for your application to be processed. If you have problems registering, please email me at: eaglesinternational.email at gmail.com
(*) spambots will be deleted -- only legitimate public applications will be processed.

Reminder: the "quick links" menu offers you the best navigation of this forum -- you need to be registered and logged in to see that menu.

Towing Heavy Trailers with an Eagle

This is a public forum to discuss Eagle related technical issues. If you are having a problem with your Eagle, this is the place to find help.
Post Reply
User avatar
beltguy
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 2663
Joined: Wed Oct 08, 2008 4:39 am
FMCA #: F246286
Bus Model: 1985 Eagle 10 with Series 60 and Eaton AutoShift 10 speed transmission (SOLD)
Location: Evergreen, CO
Contact:

Towing Heavy Trailers with an Eagle

Post by beltguy »

Folks, I am not trying to hog this forum. Rather, I am trying to get some content and discussion going.

Over the years, on several of the boards, the subject of towing heavy trailers (over 5,000 pounds by my definition) had been discussed many times.

I have posted my concerns several times, but refrained from specifically discussing towing with Eagles. When a person wants to tow a trailer with an Eagle, my anxiety level goes up another step.

Why? The big issue is that the bus structure was not designed to have large vertical loads (tongue weight). Couple that with the fact that our frames tend to develop iron oxide in copious amounts ;) and we have the makings of a potential disaster.

What am I trying to say? Well, a new Eagle with a well designed hitch could probably tow a trailer in excess of 10,000 pounds (1,000 pounds tongue weight). Lots of folks have done it with no problem.

However, there are horror stories of engine cradle tubing that was full of holes. I have heard folks comment that they were surprised that the engine did not fall out! Any trailer hitch will have to be hung off of the engine cradle structure system. Obviously, a weak engine cradle system will not do well with the huge dynamic loads that trailers produce.

So, if you plan to haul a big trailer, the very first thing you should do is to test the engine cradle tubing. You can use a pointed punch to make sure that it does not easily penetrate the tubing (test at the bottom of the tubing). Or you can drill a small hole an look at the tubing thickness (if the drill quickly penetrates the tubing, you have a problem!).

One of the solutions is to "double the tubing" in the engine cradle system (don't forget the rear down tubes since the roof structure supports the engine cradle). Doubling the tubing is fairly easy. You simply put a second piece of tube next to the existing tube and weld it securely to the existing tube and the terminating structure. If you do this you will quickly learn how the existing tubing has been compromised when doing the welding! I have pictures of how I did that on my Eagle on my project pages (see signature)

Another way around the issue is to use some sort of dolly. I have several listed at: http://www.rvsafetysystems.com/Trailer%20Towing.htm. I also have some additional thought documented there as well.

Jim
Jim Shepherd
Evergreen, CO
'85 Eagle 10 with Series 60 & Eaton AutoShift 10 speed transmission SOLD
2005 Dodge 2500 with 5.9 Cummins and 6 speed manual 2022 Sunset 28 foot trailer
Bus Project pages: http://beltguy.com/Bus_Project/busproject.htm
Blog: https://beltguy.com/Travelogue/
Email: eaglesinternational.email at gmail.com   NOTE this email box is only for general correspondence related to the forum and not technical advice.  Technical questions will not receive a response.
van
Club Member
Club Member
Posts: 1437
Joined: Mon Oct 13, 2008 1:35 pm

Re: Towing Heavy Trailers with an Eagle

Post by van »

Jim good topic as I did intrnd on mounting a hitch to tow an enclosed car trailer and now that you brought up the subject , doubling the tubing in that area most definitly seems the thing to do.I can only imagine what could happen with out it should the cradle give out under the extra load.good topic.Van
Post Reply