max capacity tow buffer
10+ years ago when my family first started towing the rule of thumb was leave 15% off of your vehicles maximum tow capacity as a safety buffer to prevent overloading and overtaxing your tow vehicle. ...
Forum Discussion
wing_zealot wrote:
That's pretty amazing that you can tow up to you limits with a F150/1500 vehicle, but that you can magically somehow "quite safely tow well over the ratings" because you have a heavy duty diesel vehicle. So tell me, I'm sure other people would also be interested in knowing; what's the magic pill? The heavy duty badge on the side or the diesel badge that So readily transforms into something more than what the ratings say? Can I put that badge on my F150 and get that same magics spell cast on it?
There's more reality to it than you'd think.
The vast majority of F150 class so-called "half ton" trucks are used as daily drivers, grocery getters, and an occasional trip to the big box store for a few 2x4's. They are designed to be used to their limits OCCASIONALLY.
So-called "heavy duty" pickup trucks such as F250s and F350s are generally WORK trucks. They are designed to be used to their limits CONTINUOUSLY.
Just look at how an F150 sags under its rated payload vs. an F250 or F350. The F150 is sagging hard in the rear and needs suspension upgrades, while the F250 and F350 are just sitting level.
Which truck is built tougher and can take being overloaded better? It's not rocket surgery.
People tell me I'm crazy or stupid or wrong for this opinion, but it doesn't take a trained engineer to see the difference if you're not in complete denial.
