The Definitive Torque vs. Horsepower post
Year after year, I keep seeing the same old debates about torque vs. horsepower. Everyone seems to have a general idea that we are referring to power, but most don't really understand the relationshi...
Forum Discussion
HP is only a formula calculation using measured knowns. Those knowns are actual measured torque (force) and actual measured RPM (rate of turning). You can have 1000 pounds/feet of torque (force measured 12" out on a bar from the center of the pivot) and will have ZERO calculated HP if there's no actual rotation -OR- 1000 RPM with ZERO measured torque as in free wheeling for example and will still have Zero calculated HP. Torque turns the wheels and RPM tell how fast they are turning.
In engineering:
HP and RPM is for racing and gearheads.
Torque is for making things move or there's no RPM or HP.
In vehicles: Torque is responsible for any drive wheel RPM or calculated HP or without it, the vehicle won't move on flat ground.
As for towing since this is an RV forum: It's very rare to ever drive a tow vehicle with the engine at max rated calculated HP. However, max torque can be experienced quite often and it's what turns the drive wheel/wheels and what is responsible for both RPM and calculated HP!
In engineering:
HP and RPM is for racing and gearheads.
Torque is for making things move or there's no RPM or HP.
In vehicles: Torque is responsible for any drive wheel RPM or calculated HP or without it, the vehicle won't move on flat ground.
As for towing since this is an RV forum: It's very rare to ever drive a tow vehicle with the engine at max rated calculated HP. However, max torque can be experienced quite often and it's what turns the drive wheel/wheels and what is responsible for both RPM and calculated HP!
