I really didn't have a question. I just wanted to express frustration over the complexities of trying to figure out what I could tow safely. Everybody wants piece of mind, but it seems that the science of safe towing is laced with subjectivity.
I feel like I have a good pick-up, capable of hauling our hotel room. I don't like to hear that I'm carrying around an accident waiting to happen. It is what it is, I suppose.
anaro wrote: This thread is gonna probably get good.
For me the problems were more from a handling standpoint and not from a things breaking. I only did it for a season so nothing broke but the fact that the TV was pushed all over the road and down a 7% grade was enough for me to upgrade. I do beleive many say you could be over the tire ratings and they could give out. Not sure what else. I say if you are fine with your combo then more power to ya if it handles ok.
I'm with you except for the tire rating thing. Remember the truck does not have to carry the trailer, only the tongue weight. Most stock truck tires, The ones with P on them, are rated for 2271lbs. So the truck would have to weigh more than 9084lb to be over the tire rating. Or have more than 4542lb on the rear axle. Not going to happen.
There is this old man not to far from me named Loyd. He has been a junk man for many decades. You should see some of the stuff he piles on and hauls down the road with his 5th wheel trailers. lol lol lol. No brakes, (and when I say no brakes, it's lucky if he even has decent ones on the pickup) , no safety chains, nothing tyeing the load down, broken lug bolts, stuff stacked on the trailer over 13 feet high, bald tires all the way around, a rag stuffed in the gas filler neck for a gas cap, no tail lights, broken springs, bad u joints, worn out transfer cases, and so much more stuff I can't list it all.
On the plus side he usually can't get his old 1970's style Dodge 3/4 tons pickups with 318's in them going much over 45 MPH with a full load on. So I guess that's a safety item in itself.
I know Loyd purty well. He's one heck of a nice guy. He is a bachelor. Never, never, stand down wind of him (PU). He's got to be pushing about 80 some years old now and he is still kickin. Moves a little slower at the auctions then he used to though. I should go visit him soon. None of us are gettin any younger. I will miss him when he's gone.
Padlin wrote: If you really want to find out head up to Ricketts Glen State Park just west of Scranton, take the section of PA Route 487 from the town of
Red Rock to the Lake Jean area of the park.
I will put it this way. no numbers involved.
If you are towing more (but not way over) the rated limits the first thing you should seriously consider is changing the trans fluid more often and the rear end fluid more often. I am towing way more than that with a 1/2 ton ford that only has a 4 speed trans. I expect to change the fluid at least once a year for preventive purposes. Aside from that I expect to blow out a U-joint.
anaro wrote: This thread is gonna probably get good.
For me the problems were more from a handling standpoint and not from a things breaking. I only did it for a season so nothing broke but the fact that the TV was pushed all over the road and down a 7% grade was enough for me to upgrade. I do beleive many say you could be over the tire ratings and they could give out. Not sure what else. I say if you are fine with your combo then more power to ya if it handles ok.
I'm with you except for the tire rating thing. Remember the truck does not have to carry the trailer, only the tongue weight. Most stock truck tires, The ones with P on them, are rated for 2271lbs. So the truck would have to weigh more than 9084lb to be over the tire rating. Or have more than 4542lb on the rear axle. Not going to happen.
I stand corrected, I may have been thinking about what is said about TT tires. Thanks Terryallen
Tow on, you'll be fine. I remember back in the day everyone towing similar sized trailers with station wagons. They had measly 305 V8s that barely made 150hp and frames and suspensions nowhere near as sophisticated or durable as todays trucks. It was never a problem. What changed?
You can't tell me that a 1/2 ton truck has less capability than a 1980s wagon. Personally I think all the legalese has d-rated trucks to the point of rediculousness.
'07 Toyota Tundra Crewmax Limited
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camp-n-family wrote: Tow on, you'll be fine. I remember back in the day everyone towing similar sized trailers with station wagons. They had measly 305 V8s that barely made 150hp and frames and suspensions nowhere near as sophisticated or durable as todays trucks. It was never a problem. What changed?
You can't tell me that a 1/2 ton truck has less capability than a 1980s wagon. Personally I think all the legalese has d-rated trucks to the point of rediculousness.
Yeah - my dad towed with a station wagon back in the 60s. But it wasn't a behemoth condo on wheels like what people tow these days.
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