The 80% figure of a trucks maximum tow rating is widely used to account for other factors (hills, headwind, etc.) that impede a trucks towing ability. Manufacturers maximum tow ratings don't take these factors into account and are based on ideal/perfect towing conditions.

 

That I believe is true DS. Some people just don't know how tough on a truck something like The Grapevine, Cuesta Grade and other nasty hills in Northern California are. It takes a lot of power and good brakes to take on those hills. I'd like to watch these 1/2 tons on these hills....from behind. I don't want to be sitting in front of one if something goes wrong.

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black and red you are giving yourself carpal tunnel on this towing subject, but it saves me the surgury, because I agree with 99% of what you have said. What I will add is that center of gravity also should factor unto the equation. A 9000 lb. camper will pull much differently than a flatbed of steel plate laying flat weighing the same amount. Transmissions and brakes would probobly be the two biggest issues with a 1/2 ton, they will definetly wear in a hurry carring these kinds of a load. He is right adding the tounge weight into gvw of the tow rig, and 10% tounge weight was quoted to me by the guy who built my bumper pull dump trailer, and that is exactly how it works out fully loded, and pulls better than any other trailer I have ever used by far. As far as loading cargo 60/40, I think that should be gross trailer weight distibution, because if your trailer was already tounge heavy to start with, that would only make it worse, too much toungue weight is also no good. I went down the 1/2 ton road once and will never go back, having too much truck is better than having too little!

 

60/40 would be right if the trailer was already pretty well balanced, like a basic cargo trailer. Now, a toy box, they are already tongue heavy as the weight is generally all loaded to the read of the vehicle.

And on campers (and RVs) that's a whole 'nother ball game. You would then need to load the vehicle balanced left and right. And idividual wheel scales work the best there. There was a group that used to take out wheel scales to help people load safe for RVs.

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when the last time some one got stoped in a rv or toyhauler????? if the fool want to kill his truck let him. just step up and buy the bigges truck u can get and have fun. as for the salemen i have see then turn down a sale on a trailer if the truck is not big enought.

 

We have a truck stop in our town with a CAT scale ... our local cops love to make the RV's go over the scale and give out tickets like mad. As they have said to me ... these RVers have no idea about loading correctly and are easy targets.

 

I don't care if someone kills their truck. I just don't want them killing me, my friends or anyone (other than themselves).

Just because you don't see it, doesn't mean it can't happen. I've heard of the CHP making RVs go through the scales at The Grapevine.

Did you get the dent out yet?

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