Help shedding some weight off my rig.

[BonairII]

Re: Help shedding some weight off my rig.

Here's my 2 cents....

I would doubt that vehicle manufacturers rate their cars/trucks at the very limit of what they can actually tow. Just as 99.9% of all car/truck engines can handle much more hp than they actually produce.

What puts more strain on a vehicle.....an owner that is just under the max towing capacity and drives fast, brakes hard, and takes corners way too fast. OR an owner that is 15% over capacity, drives slowly.....brakes responsibly....and takes corners with care?


IMO, the OP just needs to make sure his load is properly distributed(including proper tongue weight), trailer/bearings etc are in good working order.......and just tow his rig like he's already been......responsibly.

Spending lots of time and money to save a 200lbs is waste IMO.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Help shedding some weight off my rig.

My,my, what did people do prior to 1965 when towing capacity was not even a spec listed by the manufacturer?

They drove big cars with V8s and frames

 

[superbenk]

Re: Help shedding some weight off my rig.

My,my, what did people do prior to 1965 when towing capacity was not even a spec listed by the manufacturer?

They got in some bad accidents?

FWIW, more fuel for the fire http://rvingwithmarkpolk.com/2012/03/21/caution-why-truck-tow-ratings-dont-add-up/

 

[bigdee]

Re: Help shedding some weight off my rig.

They drove big cars with V8s and frames

Not necessarily, a 1957 base Chevy pickup weighed less than todays full sized pickup and had a 140 hp engine. On the farm you never thought twice about hooking up a 5k load and hauling it to town.
I think tow rating are dumbed down and are also used by the manufacture to CYA on warranty claims.

 

[BonairII]

Re: Help shedding some weight off my rig.

I think tow rating are dumbed down and are also used by the manufacture to CYA on warranty claims.

Bingo!

In a recent thread, someone had mentioned something to the effect that a 1500lb tow rated vehicle would be rated for 3000lbs in the UK.

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: Help shedding some weight off my rig.

Bingo!
In a recent thread, someone had mentioned something to the effect that a 1500lb tow rated vehicle would be rated for 3000lbs in the UK.

Yes, but trailers (GW>750kg) are required to have brakes in the EU, and also you have to have a license endorsement to tow most anything. Plus there are strict speed limits when towing, etc....but yes, there are differences in the ratings. Often the EU towing specs have a "braked/unbreaked" towing limit spec listed, and the unbraked spec closely matches the US spec.

 

[ricohman]

Re: Help shedding some weight off my rig.

This is a lot of trouble for 200 lbs of savings.
Just add one large buddy and.......

 

[BonairII]

Re: Help shedding some weight off my rig.

Yes, but trailers (GW>750kg) are required to have brakes in the EU, and also you have to have a license endorsement to tow most anything. Plus there are strict speed limits when towing, etc....but yes, there are differences in the ratings. Often the EU towing specs have a "braked/unbreaked" towing limit spec listed, and the unbraked spec closely matches the US spec.

I appreciate all that, but I think everyone is over thinking all of this.

A couple hundred pounds over max capacity is nothing IMO. It's like drinking milk 2 days after it's supposed expiration date(let's assume it's been properly chilled the whole time).

There are some here that overbuild everything and that's fine, but not everyone can afford(or care to) do that. They do what they can with what time/money/resources they have.

In some people's opinion, the Op should only be allowed to tow his boat with a large 4 wheel drive vehicle.....with a tranny cooler, heavy duty surge brakes, state of the art kevlar tires, trailer lights that could be seen from the moon, and have a safety vehicle follow him to the water...but that's not realistic for the majority.

Sutor, don't beat yourself up on this issue. You sound like you trailer your boat more safely than most. Go enjoy your boat.

 

[bigdee]

Re: Help shedding some weight off my rig.

Sutor, don't beat yourself up on this issue. You sound like you trailer your boat more safely than most. Go enjoy your boat.

A+ Here is a interesting article related to this very topic....http://www.curbsideclassic.com/auto-biography/the-great-american-anti-towing-conspiracy/

 

[sutor623]

Re: Help shedding some weight off my rig.

Sutor, don't beat yourself up on this issue. You sound like you trailer your boat more safely than most. Go enjoy your boat.

Thanks bud. I just want to abide. Got a wife and a dog. They both trust my judgement and hop right in the car with me before trips. Just want to take good care of my precious cargo.

My new LoadRite trailer is beautiful. I bought a 16150076DW. (16' long, 1500lb. carrying capacity, 76"wide) I got it for $850 brand new, and sold my old trailer for $450. The trailer weighs 230lbs. less than my old one, and is 10" wider. My dry weight is now 1210lbs. where it used to be 1440lbs. Now I have 290lbs. for two batteries, gas, and gear. Should be right under my capacity.