Our bus is a 1990 MCI 102A3 with a 6V92 engine and Allison automatic transmission. The last time I weighed the bus, it was over 38,000 lbs, and we have probably easily added another 200 - 500 lbs of stuff since then, plus the holding tanks were not too full when I weighed it. The bus is rated for up to 40,000 lbs. Our car is a 1999 Toyota Sienna, weighs over 3000 lbs. Simple math tells me that we should not tow it, because we will go over 40,000 lbs. However, I have been told by several people, most recently someone who use to drive one of these MCI buses, that we can easily tow it.

What do you all think?

Thank you.

We fulltime in a 1976 MCI 8 with 8V71 and Allison 4 speed automatic. It is rated at 36,500 pounds. The last time we were weighed, with 144 gallons of diesel and 110 gallons of fresh water on board, we weighed 32,000 pounds. We tow a 3/4 ton Ford extended length cargo van, ands inside the van we carry a 650 pound Yamaha V Star 1100cc motorcycle. We use an auxiliary brake system. We’ve never had a problem, but the added weight of the van and bike do affect us climbing steep hills and in the mountains out west. Not that we were ever fast climbing anyway.

I have a friend with a 1982 MCI, 6V92 and Allison transmission, raised roof and slideout, who tows a Dodge pickup with two ATVs on it. Again, he uses an auxiliary brake, and has had no problems

Tom,
If you can find your chassis data plate, it should give you a GVW and a GCW. The GCW is your gross combined weight, which will tell you whether you're over weight with any towed item. The GVW is almost meaningless when thinking about towing.