Define towing capacity.

[CHUCKB1]

What is your definition of towing capacity? I think the vehicle manufacturers grossly overstate towing capacities. Chevy says my heavy duty 3/4 ton, 4x4 pickup has a 10,000 LB towing capacity (yeah right)

 

[JB]

Re: Define towing capacity.

I agree with you, Chuck.<br /><br />I have never towed over half of my vehicle's rated capacity without being scared stiff something is going to break.

 

[DJ]

Re: Define towing capacity.

Chuckb1,<br /><br />Todays heavier duty vehicles can easily handle that kind of weight-IF THEY ARE SET UP CORRECTLY.<br /><br />The problems lies in the fact that few people read the footnotes in the towing guides and follow the recommendations.<br /><br />Typically, the recommendations are such as:<br /><br />1. Requires trailer tow package.<br />2. Requires heavy duty cooling.<br />3.Requires weight distributing hitch or fifth wheel.<br />4. Requires tongue weight to not exceed??<br />5. Trailer over ***X lbs. require trailer brakes.<br /><br />Do you see what I mean.<br /><br />In my line of work I see class 3-5 trucks pulling three times the rated weight and the customers have no idea why they can't get brakes and other components to live. <br /><br />It never dawned on them to weigh their trailer. Many are finding out the hard way by having the DOT folks tell them on the side of the road along with a certificate that is good for a day in court.

 

[6MISFITZ]

Re: Define towing capacity.

Tow ratings and G.C.V.W.R. are something engineered into and tested on vehicles instead of something just picked out of thin air.<br /><br />To approach these limits you must HAVE and USE the proper equipment.<br /><br />DITTO points 1 - 5 from djohns19.<br /><br />Just because there is a big number on the hitch doesn't mean you can handle an empty trailer vs. a full trailer or ignore the laws of physics.<br />Had what was left of a 1 ton crew cab towed into a dealer that I worked at a few years ago. The empty tri axle trailer the truck was towing had bad grease seals on one side and on a quick stop on the highway, had an expensive jackknife.<br /><br />If you maintain what you tow and what you tow with properly, then you are in an elite group.<br />After all, I bring my family with me where ever we go boating and although I don't tow the 5400 max of my van, I tow around 3500 and we all want to get back home in one piece to go boating another day. <br />And just because it's only 3500# doesn't mean I tailgate or goof off when towing either.<br /><br />Follow your owners/towing manual always.<br />The new HD series trucks can tow more than 12000# these days but again, you need the right equipment to do it legally and safely.

 

[Mumblerone]

Re: Define towing capacity.

I have an SUV rated at 8500# towing capacity (345 HP). I regularlly tow 7700# with out a problem. It is set up right as suggested above. Ball height, brakes (dual axle) and tongue weight. I would place most of the blame of bad towing with the consumer vs the manufacturer.

 

[6MISFITZ]

Re: Define towing capacity.

I don't think that this is an issue of blame but for people to understand and respect issues of trailering. Just because there is a number on a hitch, it doesn't mean that you or your vehicle can handle it. It doesn't mean you have all the right equipment either. <br /><br />I can see you are very aware from your previous post Mumblerone and account for things like ball / hitch height, weights and that make us safer towers.<br /><br />Big trailer numbers (anything over 2000#) mean that your vehicle now will not respond the same as you are used to in every day driving without a trailer.<br /><br />Bigger numbers require even more respect from the towing driver still.<br /><br />And for those who do tow, they know that the idiot backing out of his/her driveway in front of you hasen't seen the trialer behind you. <br />Brake and horn and carefully evoid now, don't wait and just crank the steering wheel.<br /><br />Hey, we all want to go out again tomorrow,<br />Mike.

 

[L Christopher]

Re: Define towing capacity.

I read alot in this forum about being properly equiped to tow a trailer safely. Keep in mind that the proper equipment is wasted on an illequiped or illinformed operater. Pulling a trailer loaded or empty takes a different mindset. You have to think and be ready to react much further out (think 10 cars in front of you)Murphy's Law always applies to towing.

 

[CHUCKB1]

Re: Define towing capacity.

Mumblerone,<br /><br />You are towing at over 91% of the capacity of your vehicle. Why are you not following the 85% of capacity rule? You would be a hazzard on the road here in the Colorado mountains.

 

[6MISFITZ]

Re: Define towing capacity.

Chuck, with the correct hitches, the Big Boys can tow more than 100% of the tow vehicles weight. <br />Suburban 3/4 ton is 12000 lbs maxed out.<br />Excursion is over 10000#. <br />Pick ups with 5th wheel hitches can tow up to 15000#<br /><br />Tractor trailers can tow up to 3-4 times the weight of the tractor.

 

[CHUCKB1]

Re: Define towing capacity.

Mike,<br /><br />With the proper gearing my John Deere riding mower can tow 10,000 pounds. Does that mean I can do it safely?

 

[6MISFITZ]

Re: Define towing capacity.

Send pictures if you try

 

[blifsey]

Re: Define towing capacity.

There are 3 ratings that that should be watched - GVWR & GCWR of tow vehicle and GVWR of trailer. GVWR of tow vehicle is max capacity of the weight the tow vehicle's axles are carrying and include vehicle weight, fuel, persons, luggage, etc. AND tongue weight of trailer. GCWR is the combined weight of everything, tow vehicle, trailer, boat, etc. GVWR of trailer also can't be exceeded and includes trailer, boat, fuel, tackle, etc. I've also heard that the tow capacities advertised are with nothing but 1 "small" driver in tow vehicle. As you add other stuff to vehicle, tow capacity goes down because of GCWR. A more realistic tow capacity is to take GCWR - GVWR of tow vehicle. But, if you are towing alone with no luggage, etc., the tow capacity is more. All in all, a very confusing issue <br /><br />BL...