Tow Ratings

[trkeditor]

I've noticed a number of questions related to towing capacities and how to increase them to tow bigger trailers. No matter what add-ons/upgrades you make to your tow vehcle, none increase the vehicle's towing capacity. That is established (validated/certified) the moment it rolls off the assembly line by the maker--not by aftermarket accessory manufacturers.

 

Tow above the factory tow ratings, not matter how many helper springs & airbags, bigger brakes & transcoolers you have installed -- or disregard the "properly-equipped" caveats in the owner's manual -- and you assume all liability in the event of an accident.

 

A good article on this topic is in the new issue of ProPickup magazine (www.propickupmag.com); The article is called "Towing the Line." (http://www.digitalmagazinetechnology.com/a...-spring#page=53)

[khancock]

I've noticed a number of questions related to towing capacities and how to increase them to tow bigger trailers. No matter what add-ons/upgrades you make to your tow vehcle, none increase the vehicle's towing capacity. That is established (validated/certified) the moment it rolls off the assembly line by the maker--not by aftermarket accessory manufacturers.

 

Tow above the factory tow ratings, not matter how many helper springs & airbags, bigger brakes & transcoolers you have installed -- or disregard the "properly-equipped" caveats in the owner's manual -- and you assume all liability in the event of an accident.

 

A good article on this topic is in the new issue of ProPickup magazine (www.propickupmag.com); The article is called "Towing the Line." (http://www.digitalmagazinetechnology.com/a...-spring#page=53)

 

While I completely agree that you can't increase the capacity these accessories can help to carry loads better while staying inside the factory spec.

[music]

There's a difference between rated safety and performance parameters. A perfect example is the 2010 1500 with a 5.3L/3.42/6L80. This configuration has about 2k lbs higher tow "rating" from the factory than an otherwise identical truck with the 5.3L/3.73/4L60. The only difference is the transmission and the added engine oil cooling. Nothing else changed: frame, brakes, axles, etc. are identical. The only difference is acceleration, closer-spaced and more gears, and a little better cooling. There were zero changes that would improve overall handling or safety. It's clear, then, that if you took the engine/transmission from a 2010 and dropped it into a 2008 (or vice versa), that their actual performance characteristics would reverse. A person could argue that the "ratings" didn't change during the swap, but not with a straight face.

 

Payload, on the other hand, cannot be modified very easily. Adding this or changing that is all guesswork... unless a person mimics a factory engineered configuration.

[Stevens03]

Shooting a hole in your theory, By changing the gear ratio, you are in-fact raising the tow rating.

[chakis24]

troll.

 

 

so youre saying if i take a 2010 silvy and add the max trailering package myself aftermarket, that my max safe towing capabilities havent changed? sure they have, it just the label that hasnt.

[oldschool327]

And if you de-badge you can haul another 2 pounds 3 ounces.......

 

There are many ways to increase your tow rating you just have to know what the heck your doing. Re-Gear, Tranny swap, Engine swap, Factory package additions.

 

The aftermarket items that we apply are to increase the safety and stability of the loads we carry.

[dlstewart01]

There are design limitations that are reached by calculations done using assumption of average, strengths of vehicles components. They have to be submitted to and approved by governmental agencies, before a vehicle can be built. Then, the design limits are listed, revative to the calculations and assumption. There are factors for safety built in so extreems are covered. Any aging of components that wear, will reduce the origional design capacities, as would any improvements above and beyond the origional design specifications. Those modifications like stronger frame, stronger suspension, and stronger tires would in effect raise the origional design ratings, but unless reapproved or shown to be increasing the strength by the individual components test results, are still limited to the official "origional design" ratings. An argument could be made that the newly modified capacities are in combination, giving higher capacities for weight, but they would have to be argued by a "qualified, or certified" person that has the education to do the analysis and place their stamp of certification or engineering license on the paperwork, and have it review and cheched for agreement by another professional that gives governmental approvals for such modifications. So, yes they are guildlines and estimated ratings, that by law have to be followed, but since law is logical, they can be subject to reinterpitation, through argument and convincing the courts or regulating athorities, that the newly arrived at figures are indeed just.

 

 

 

GVW, Gross Vehicle Weight

GVWR, Gross Vehicle Weight Rating

GAWR, Gross Axle Weight Rating, Front and Rear

MTWR, Max Tow Weight Rating

GCWR, Gross Combined Weight Rating

Curb

Dry

Shipping Weight

 

 

 

GVW is what the vehicle weights as is, or at the scales

 

GVWR is the OEM's 'rating' of what 'that' vehicle is 'rated' to carry

on all four wheels.

 

GAWR is the OEM's 'rating' of what 'that' vehicle axle (front and rear)

are 'rated' to carry.

 

MTWR is the OEM's 'rating' of what 'that' vehicle is 'rated' to tow

 

GCWR is the OEM's 'rating' of what 'that' vehicle is 'rated' to tow

combined (both the trailer and TV hooked up and on the road)

 

Curb is the OEM's listed weight of a 'base', or 'stripper' TV model. Many

times this configuration is NOT for sale. It usually has full fluids,

one 150 lb driver. NO options, other than what is needed to tow and

I wonder if some times even that isn't included.

 

Dry is the OEM's listed weight of a 'base', or 'stripper' trailer

model. There are no options (battery, spare tire, propane, etc)

[music]

Regarding the legality of it all, liability is liability... regardless of whether you're towing or run a stop sign in a Yugo. It is rare that a lawyer goes after gross negligence in non-commercial accidents, and even more rare to try to pin it on someone being a little over weight towing (actually, I've never heard of it). It would have to be a grossly overloaded setup for them to even try it. Why bother... if you're at fault, you're going to be held liable regardless of the exact cause.

[dlstewart01]

When my poor deceased client pulled out in front of the defendant, there should have been enough distance for the defendant to have stopped and avoided the tragic accident that took my clients life except for the fact that the defendant grossly and negligently modified and over loaded the truck he was carelessly operating without regard for life of other motorist. Had the defendant not threw safety to the wind and operated this unsafe vehicle in the manner that he did, his braking system would have brought his truck to a safe stop with distance to spare.......

 

Think it won't happen. Whose fault it is will become a secondary concern.

[96chevy7.4L]

The only consumer added item that I know first hand that will increase GVW rating is the semi tractor tires on a 1 ton dually. I think there what 24 inch tires and wheels. That is what the DOT guy said is the only thing he will just on visibility give an extra 1000 pounds of GVW rating. Nothing else that I know of that is consumer or owner installed will add more to your sticker officially. Now owners can add things to make there truck more heavy duty to carry and pull the loads we move. Also you can get packages added at the dealer to raise your sticker rating. I found this out when I asked about a new truck and if there was a way to get the GVW on a Chassis cab to 20K. Dodge with re-gearing and cooling could get the GVW sticker to 19,500. I think ford said they could get 18,900. I don't remember what Chevrolet was offhand. Not trying to start a HUGE WAR. That is just what I have been told and found.

[txab]

troll.

 

 

so youre saying if i take a 2010 silvy and add the max trailering package myself aftermarket, that my max safe towing capabilities havent changed? sure they have, it just the label that hasnt.

 

+1 on the troll

[jblakeney]

And if you de-badge you can haul another 2 pounds 3 ounces.......

 

There are many ways to increase your tow rating you just have to know what the heck your doing. Re-Gear, Tranny swap, Engine swap, Factory package additions.

 

The aftermarket items that we apply are to increase the safety and stability of the loads we carry.

 

Priceless,........

 

I have heard the same old story I am blue in the face and it is summer..... When they invented the truck why did they do it? Was it to drive or to tow and haul stuff??

 

You got it tow or haul stuff.....

 

But the subject at hand, yes they big brother has regulated that all vehicles should have tow ratings. X vehicle is rated at z lbs by the manufacturer. Giving us tow ratings. For the masses.

 

So how do they measure this weight? Bumper, Goose neck, or 5th wheel? Do they measure 1 axle of brakes or 2, or 3???? Do they consider tongue weight or balance on the trailer vs. truck? Whose trailer do they measure this with? Was the engineer who designed the trailer Drunk and put the axle toooo far to the back of the trailer (we all know engineers sometimes rode the short bus, I.E. remove inner fenders from wheel wells to access spark plugs..... or spark plugs that have an auto eject button, thanks ford 3 threads in aluminum is strong...)

 

So it leaves me back down the road to this............ Tow to your own safety level what ever it might be whether it is 500 lbs or 28000 lbs..... Just do it safe !!!! PLEASE. (that is don't be the guy in the red car below... There is always some smart person that has a CAMERA in the car with them... Which makes priceless pictures)

 

Jbo

[music]

When my poor deceased client pulled out in front of the defendant....

 

Think it won't happen. Whose fault it is will become a secondary concern.

 

I liked that, and I can see it happening. The ambulance chaser still must prove gross negligence. For a commercial driver over 10k lbs (I think... or is it 25k lbs?), it's pretty easy, as they are required by law to document pre-trip safety checks, perform tie-downs, verify safety brakes, etc., and *know* their weights. For a mom/pop pulling their RV to the lake... it would have to be truly "grossly overloaded" for them to try that angle, as none of this would be documented and it's just opinion on their part ("No Sir, I had no idea I was 3k lbs over weight... I felt pretty dumb when they told me that"). Just my 0.02, which by my gauge, is worth about 0.01 today with the price of food, etc.

[Nytemare]

Consider this....

 

I toss a big trailer on my 1500 truck....headlights point to the sky....

 

I take the truck and add helper springs, bags...weight distribution bars to the trailer, etc etc etc.....

 

Now when I hook the same trailer on the truck it stays nice and level...While I didn't change the "rating", I sure changed the capacity, and I am sure that if everything is nice and level, all 4 wheels making full contact, Bigger brakes, heavy duty shocks......I'm pretty confident that I could stop as quickly as a 3500 towing the same trailer.

 

Now if your drivetrain can take the abuse...thats a different story...

[jblakeney]

I draw the line when the headlamps began to point upward. I can put 12 round bales of hay on my trailer which are about 1500-2000lbs each. That equates out to around...... 18000 - 24000lbs plus what ever my 24ft goose neck weights.... On my 2001 2500 6.0l 3.73 4wd z85 with out the lights pointing for the sky. The truck remains quite level with 2 axles of trailer brakes it stops about the same as with the bumper pull with a small tractor (which would be with in the book specs)...... Now I don't know what the manual says on my 01 but I feel QUITE safe with the load of hay which could be more that 24k lbs... Heck I have pulled a load of hay like that more than 70 miles...... At around 50-65 mph....

 

NO helper springs

NO air bags above the springs....

 

Stock truck. Engine cries just a bit but its not a duramax I expect it to cry some...

 

Jbo