can I increase my tow vehicle's tow rating

As I previously stated, there ARE "upfitter shops" all across the country that CAN and WILL modify a rig to increase the ratings, AND can and will print a new door post sticker that reflects the increased ratings.
In fact, I do believe there is one right here in Billings. I don't know for sure, because I have never had a need for any of their services.
Also, any Rating that is based on optional equipment can be changed by changing the optional equipment. Those ratings (GCWR, Max. Towing) are never on the door sticker.

Nothing really confusing about it.

Can you increase performance, and therefore increase towing PERFORMANCE? Sure

Can you increase tow RATING? No. Manufacturers ratings are what they are.

You can certainly improve the performance, and determine on your own, based on your knowledge, what that does to your ability to tow what you want to tow. But, you won't be changing the rating, or the placards that are on your door jamb that are used to determine that rating.

Mike

drsteve wrote:
What was the original question?

Responding to this brag...because of the many, many, many lurkers out there would THINK the below is justification to follow the the “ I can...therefore it is okay”....vis...following their OEM’s ratings/specification/etc

ray biggs wrote:
thanks for beating up on me, I can take it but I think the last 3 comments are a bit over the top. I've upgraded my trailer axles from 5400lbs to 7200lbs my trailer tires from 15" 4ply to 16"6 ply upgraded my front rotors to dimpled and slotted my rear springs increased by 3000lbs have a 1200 lb safety cushion between the tow capacity and scaled fully loaded trailer weight. and for this I'm going to kill women and children get ticked by the police and blame manufacturers if something goes wrong. I guess this is why I don't facebook.

What was the original question?

My post was purely tongue in cheek and wasn't even directed at you.
Lore = legends, myths (i.e.: claims that have no substantiated factual basis)

My Suburban is referenced, tongue'n cheek, as a K3500...but the door label still says 8.6K GVWR and 4,250 FGAWR and 6,000 RGAWR...because am not going to spend the money to have a new, certified label made up

RGAWR is 6,000 from the OEM. The supplier to that OEM lists it as 10,000 GAWR. My rear axle assembly is the same as the 1 ton dually of that year and again, my OEM lists it as a 6,000 lb GAWR

Front axle has the 1 ton snow plow package mod's

1 ton front Axle 'could' be rated at 5,250 GAWR. Rear axle 'copuld' be rated at 10,000 GAWR...but the door label is still at 4,250 FGAWR and 6,000 RGAWR.

Ditto brakes, but mine also had slots & cryo treatment. Largest disc brake ever designed had a 48" dia cast iron rotor and the design had the ability to add many calipers for a 350KW windgenerator....and many others in the 17" to 30" disc brakes and even some drum brakes for industrial motor controlled system. But on my Sub found that cryo isn't up to it. No longer have slotted rotors...as they too heat checked like the OEMs. Dislike drilled, as they crack and reduce surface area and thermal mass...unless am will to replace them often...pure racing stuff

Friction material is now high performance HD level...before buddy closed his friction material & braking business...was one of his testers and have out stopped a BMW 5 series...to where he rear ended my Sub. Stopping is way higher on my have to have list than go...

Not many understand how stopping modulation is as important as just having the ability to skid and/or initiate ABS. Can modulate braking to the extreme without initiating ABS to feather tires WITHOUT SKIDDING

KYB Mono Shocks and know not many here willing to use them, as ride quality kills anything to do with performance of that level

16x10 forged alloy's and for performance. Ride quality folks hate how they handle/ride...but most can't corner like mine can and does. Slip angle is greatly reduced and many think touchy, but I like it that way. Braking is also enhanced and again, most folks won't put up with the ride quality that begets...

Sure, can still be sued, but am sticking with the OEM ratings...as that is the basis for any suit...and yes, have been sued many times for wrongful death associated with my designs...none of them went to trail after their lawyers met with my insurance lawyers...who showed them all of my notes, specifications, test results and certification doc's...

Yes, everything was done under NDA

Personal choice and am talking to the lurkers who might think they 'can' too...gotta inform them of the other side of that "can do"...

thanks for beating up on me, I can take it but I think the last 3 comments are a bit over the top. I've upgraded my trailer axles from 5400lbs to 7200lbs my trailer tires from 15" 4ply to 16"6 ply upgraded my front rotors to dimpled and slotted my rear springs increased by 3000lbs have a 1200 lb safety cushion between the tow capacity and scaled fully loaded trailer weight. and for this I'm going to kill women and children get ticked by the police and blame manufacturers if something goes wrong. I guess this is why I don't facebook.

Looks like mkirsch covered all the internet lore except “ you’re going to kill your wife and kids”. I think they're all covered now.

There are differences between "can" and "should"...taught daughters the difference when they were under 5 years old...

Toss in "for how long" and "ability to manhandle the situation"...

There are legal positions with all of the documentation from any OEM...and the courts do accept that most consumers do NOT read/understand those doc's...but with that, they will provide allowance to those OEMs placing all of those/this type of warnings, ratings, specifications, fine print...etc etc...


Recent thread on Mr Murphy moments...that too many think only happens to: "The other guy"... Like the marketing ads showing a "light duty" truck (like our pickups in discussion on these forums) 'can tow' a Space Shuttle, a VW 'can tow' a wide-body. No Mr Murphy moments were allowed for...in their very controlled towing sessions...

A picture is worth a thousand words!

If you're such a "rule breaker" then why did you ask?

The truth of the matter is nobody knows how or if you would ever be held personally liable for any consequences associated with exceeding factory ratings. Lawsuits usually have NDA's, so those involved can't legally reveal the outcomes, and even if they could, they aren't going to admit to anything publicly.

So whether the "you'll get sued/ticketed" is true or a myth, the one truth here is, YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN with anything you do. If the truck breaks, if you cause an accident and get sued, if you get pulled over and weighed, you can't go back to the manufacturer and say it's their fault. You can't come here and say it's our fault. You can't blame your mom or your dad, or the bullies at school. You can't even blame it on the rain that keeps fallin' fallin'... It's all on you.

If you're good with that, then do whatever. Be a maverick. Show the manufacturers they don't know what they're talking about. Thumb your nose at the cops as you drive by.