85% Towing weight Rule

[6MISFITZ]

Where does this 85% towing rule come from or apply to? <br />New larger vehicles are rated to tow more than 100% these days like HD pickups, Suburbans, and Excursions, of course when they are properly equipped.

 

[DJ]

Re: 85% Towing weight Rule

Mike,<br /><br />No one recommends towing over 100% of capacity, even though vehicles are tested well above that and they will do it.<br /><br />The 85% rule has been around forever. It is just considered an acceptable safety margin.

 

[MIKE F]

Re: 85% Towing weight Rule

I've been around forever, and I had never heard, of the 85% rule before today.

 

[blifsey]

Re: 85% Towing weight Rule

Mike, are you thinking 85% of the tow vehicle weight? I think that they are saying is 85% of the rated tow capacity. When you say more than 100%, I read that you mean they vehicle can tow more than it weighs.<br /><br />BL...

 

[MIKE F]

Re: 85% Towing weight Rule

BL,<br />I realize what they mean, I just never heard of 85%, as a rule or guideline before. <br />I just read your post, in Define Towing Capacity and I believe you meant GCWR and not GCVWR.

 

[blifsey]

Re: 85% Towing weight Rule

Mike,<br /><br />I did mean GCWR, not GCVWR...I'm not the best typist, I'm on a laptop, and got myslef mixed up on all the G's, W's, etc. Thanks, I'll edit the post.<br /><br />I've always thought it better to leave a little "spare" capacity when figuring load. What are you saying is OK to go over 100% on? GCWR, GVWR, both? I know the most HD trucks could do it, but would it be safe?<br /><br />Thanks,<br />BL...

 

[DJ]

Re: 85% Towing weight Rule

BLifsey,<br /><br />NEVER go over 100%. If anything happens, you are automatically at fault. Not only with the law, your insurance co. also.

 

[MIKE F]

Re: 85% Towing weight Rule

BL,BL,BL, <br />I'm not saying that at all. I never said anything about 100% of any rating. Oh Oh ---<br />I see the problem here Mike FitzPatrick started this thread. I'm Mike F a different person - never mind BL

 

[blifsey]

Re: 85% Towing weight Rule

Mike F - Duh, I see diff in you and other Mike now...Sorry for confusion <br /><br />DJohns19 - No, I wouldn't tow more than 100%. I was confusing myself with the two Mikes and was questioning Mike F about something he didn't say (type???). Although growing up, we did probably go over weight in hay fields picking up hay bales but never got onto road. Heck, we didn't even have a driver...We'd put it in "granny low" and walk beside truck tossing bales, reach into window now and then to steer.<br /><br />Safe towing to all,<br />BL...

 

[6MISFITZ]

Re: 85% Towing weight Rule

The reason I question this rule, my van is legally rated to more than 100% of its weight. It weighs approx 4350lbs and can tow if properly equipped 5400 lbs and still be within its legal GCWR.<br /><br />My boat and trailer weigh in around 3500 - 3600 lbs wet. This is less than 85% rule yet in several posts ChuckB1 states that my trailer situation is unsafe and I am a danger on the road. <br /><br />WHY?

 

[MIKE F]

Re: 85% Towing weight Rule

Mike Fitz,<br />You're talking apples and oranges. The weight of your vehicle, has nothing to do, with what it's rated to tow ( not directly at least).Like BL has said GVWR and GCWR are what you should be concerned with. Your combination, sounds fine to me,assuming you have the tow package, or whatever GM says you need, to tow that weight. I know you need brakes on the trailer, if it's over 1500 or 2,000# or somewhere around there. Do they also require a weight distributon set-up for that weight rating? I think that should only be a cosideration, if you're towing a travel trailer, or any other type of trailer, with a higher tongue weight.

 

[DJ]

Re: 85% Towing weight Rule

Mike, Mikes-I'm confused as to who's who. <br /><br />Anyway, yes it is OK to w your rated tow weight as long as the total GCWR is not exceeded.<br /><br />Example:<br /><br />Vehicle weight: 4000<br />Vehicle passengers, gear, etc. 1000<br />Trailer weight w/gear, etc. 4000 <br /><br />Total 9000<br /><br />GCWR 10,000<br /><br />(not to exceed trailer weight of 5000)<br /><br /> <br /> <br />You would be 1000 under both the GCWR and the trailer weight.<br /><br />Your towed load of roughly 3500 is NOT taxing your vehicle that has a trailer weight rating of 5400 and a GCWR of 10,000.

 

[6MISFITZ]

Re: 85% Towing weight Rule

Thanks guys, I try to take safety in mind when ever I hook up. <br /><br />I am under in GCWR with my boat and trailer and van fully loaded with all supplies and family. <br />I am under the max tow rating. <br />I am under the 85% rule of van gross weight OR max tow rating OR G.C.W.R.<br /><br />Every way I do the math on my situation, I come up the green side of caution and then someone posts replys on a different string that I am a danger on the highway to myself and others with absolutely no reference to any how OR why?<br /><br />What ever that person's 85% rule or problem is, I am sure only that person knows because they have not seen fit to dicuss it here. Maybe they think the Astro should have a ladder frame vs unibody or they think Astro is front wheel drive or something. Any way there is still no exact defenition here. Do you use this rule when talking about vehicle's weight, max tow rating or what, when refering to 85%?<br /><br />Thanks again,<br />Mike.