I saw a few of these types of people on the road this summer in the mountains and I give them I wide margin. I know those tow vehicles cannot properly handle a panic brake or abrupt lane change without things ending badly and don't even get me started about them trying to climb a hill, allot of them were down to 30 mph and 6,000 rpm. Another thing to consider: are these people running at least D rated tires for towing? How about heavy duty shocks to handle the sway and bounce? Unibody frames and towing a 7,400# trailer?
It always amazes me how people think its alright to overload their tow vehicle (by a factor of more than 2X in this case), then wonder what went wrong when a panic brake or wind gust situation pops up and it all ends badly. To me, it appears they do not care that much for their family to put them in that situation, what I'm more concerned about are all the others on the road whom they are putting in harms way (including me).
I am all for going out and enjoying the outdoors, but people, please ante up and get a proper tow vehicle. If not for your safety, please do it for mine.
Just my unasked for 2 cents.
2008 Star Stream SS23SQ
2007.5 Dodge, 2500HD, QC, Laramie, 4X4, SB, 6.7 Cummins, 68RFE, 3.73, Inferno red, Edge Insight w/pyro, MaxBrake, Firestone Ride-Rites and controller, Air-Zenith air compressor, EZ Change Drain plug, S&B drop in air filter,
I'm conscious that this isn't the thread to get into a debate about tow vehicles, so I'll just thank you for your concern and say that you don't need to worry on my behalf. The combination was set up by a professional with over 40 years experience in towing and I trust his judgement to get it right; he has thousands of satisfied customers who'll agree.
As an aside, if you ever wonder what goes into to setting a tow rating, you might want to read this from Truck Trend magazine:
"Is important how the 265HP tow, but is more important how it stop a BIG heavy load. I know that you mention you have a brake control and the trailer have brakes also, but if you have emergency situation, that could be really different when the weight of what you towing is bigger that the tow vehicle and you can’t control it."
Not sure I can really agree with that analogy. I would think a 1 ton SRW, pulling a 15,000lb 5th wheel which weighs more than twice the TV weight, would have the same challenges stopping if their 5th wheel lost it's brakes as well.
S
* This post was
edited 03/20/12 02:50pm by spud57 *
Offline
