can I increase my tow vehicle's tow rating
am confused. just read in july. manufacturer's use engine power for tow rating but further states if you improve performance it won't improve tow rating?
Forum Discussion
Check the Owners Manual. What options control the towing rating or Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR)? What options does YOUR vehicle have?
For instance, a 3.55 differential ratio will often result in a lower GCWR. A 3.73 ratio will have a slightly higher GCWR. A 4.10 ratio will have the highest rating. All it takes is time and money to change the gears.
There are licensed "upfitter" shops all around the country that can change ratings, and may even make a new placard for the door post.
In many states, the owner of the vehicle has absolute control over what the GVW is. It is whatever the owner wants to pay for. For instance, my old 1994 Dodge 3500 dually could legally be loaded to 14,000 lbs. GVW, because that is the GVW I paid for when I registered it. Note that that weight is the ACTUAL weight, not a "Rating".
The truck manufacturer's axle rating (GAWR) is often quite a bit less than the axle manufacturer's rating.
The bottom line is, YES, there ARE things that can be done to change the ratings. Yes, such changes may (probably will) result in increased stress and wear on the vehicle. That is a fact that the owner must be willing to live with. The chances of a catastrophic failure are very slim. The previously mentioned '94 Dodge was towing a fifth wheel at a Gross Combined Weight of 21,180 lbs. That was about a ton and a half OVER the GCWR. The truck had 275,000 miles on it when I got rid of it, still going strong. The only reason I allowed it to go away is that I just didn't need a one ton dually 4X2 any more.
I have often quoted my step-father's rules for hauling firewood or hay:
1. Will it move?
2. Will it stop?
If the answer to either question is "No!", fix the problem and you are good to go.
If the answer to both questions is "YES!", just go.
Of course, that was in "the bad old days", when a half ton truck was rated at 6,000 GVW, a 3/4 ton was rated at 8,000, and a one ton was 10,000.
For instance, a 3.55 differential ratio will often result in a lower GCWR. A 3.73 ratio will have a slightly higher GCWR. A 4.10 ratio will have the highest rating. All it takes is time and money to change the gears.
There are licensed "upfitter" shops all around the country that can change ratings, and may even make a new placard for the door post.
In many states, the owner of the vehicle has absolute control over what the GVW is. It is whatever the owner wants to pay for. For instance, my old 1994 Dodge 3500 dually could legally be loaded to 14,000 lbs. GVW, because that is the GVW I paid for when I registered it. Note that that weight is the ACTUAL weight, not a "Rating".
The truck manufacturer's axle rating (GAWR) is often quite a bit less than the axle manufacturer's rating.
The bottom line is, YES, there ARE things that can be done to change the ratings. Yes, such changes may (probably will) result in increased stress and wear on the vehicle. That is a fact that the owner must be willing to live with. The chances of a catastrophic failure are very slim. The previously mentioned '94 Dodge was towing a fifth wheel at a Gross Combined Weight of 21,180 lbs. That was about a ton and a half OVER the GCWR. The truck had 275,000 miles on it when I got rid of it, still going strong. The only reason I allowed it to go away is that I just didn't need a one ton dually 4X2 any more.
I have often quoted my step-father's rules for hauling firewood or hay:
1. Will it move?
2. Will it stop?
If the answer to either question is "No!", fix the problem and you are good to go.
If the answer to both questions is "YES!", just go.
Of course, that was in "the bad old days", when a half ton truck was rated at 6,000 GVW, a 3/4 ton was rated at 8,000, and a one ton was 10,000.
