Forum Discussion
- We might be at the point where our trucks can tow more than they can safely stop. Big trucks use air brake systems which require air pressure to hold the brake shoes off the drums (or in some cases discs). When air pressure is lost buzzers sound and lights illuminate. If the pressure continues to drop a dump valve will dump the remaining pressure and the brakes will be applied by spring pressure locking all the wheels until the problem is rectified. I’m not aware of any such safety mechanism with electric brakes.
- Rumor is that that Ram may be switching to a 10-speed Allison. That could make more difference than the additional horses and torque.
newbesttrucks 2021 Ram 4x4ord wrote:
We might be at the point where our trucks can tow more than they can safely stop. Big trucks use air brake systems which require air pressure to hold the brake shoes off the drums (or in some cases discs). When air pressure is lost buzzers sound and lights illuminate. If the pressure continues to drop a dump valve will dump the remaining pressure and the brakes will be applied by spring pressure locking all the wheels until the problem is rectified. I’m not aware of any such safety mechanism with electric brakes.
From what I have found out recently not all axles have that safety feature, only the ones with parking brakes. I know that my motorhome only has it on the rear axle.spoon059 wrote:
I just saw an article online about this. Ridiculous... going 100 lbs over the F450 to claim some imaginary award? They all tow exceptionally well. Rather than petty little max towing awards, how about making them (not just Ram, but Ford and GM) more reliable, more fuel efficient, more competitively priced etc.
I agree. A lot of R&D costs goes into making this thing tow weights that maybe a fraction of their customers would even tow. It is pointless and that money could have either been spent elsewhere or made the cost of each vehicle lower as you stated. The cost of this kind of R&D is spread amongst all models so you are paying for it even if you don't get the configuration with this pointless tow rating.
However, as one Ford fanboy already pointed out, it is all about "competing" against someone else's favorite brand. To these people, only things like 0-60 times, short burst horsepower figures, and highest tow ratings possible (even though they don't tow that much) matter because in their eyes this is how a truck competes. It is these kind of people the keep this pointless game going. In my eyes things like reliability, efficiency, and sustained power are way more of a competing factor than Ike times. This is where the R&D money should go. I can make it more power afterwards if needed and would prefer to do it myself.- Actually Shiner having the highest tow rating is of no value to me, nor is highest torque rating. I just put my order in this morning for a new second place Ford. As it turned out I never set foot in a dealership but just picked the one that offered the best price. If I need faster 0-60 times I’ll take the Civic.
4x4ord wrote:
Actually Shiner having the highest tow rating is of no value to me, nor is highest torque rating. I just put my order in this morning for a new second place Ford. As it turned out I never set foot in a dealership but just picked the one that offered the best price. If I need faster 0-60 times I’ll take the Civic.
It is hard to believe this given the "It might be a bit of a stretch to expect it to compete with the Powerstroke" comment. I have noticed that you tend to say you aren't a fan boy or do not care about such things yet turn right around and say things like this or tout highest power and towing numbers of your favorite brand that you so happen to name yourself after. I named myself Shiner bock because it is my favorite beer and I will admit that I am biased to the taste of it over other beers.
So you can say this, but your other statements made in other threads and even in this one have lead me to believe otherwise.- ^Aaaaaand here we go again!
- OK, at 37,100 Lbs towing that would equals 7,420 pin weight at 20%, don't think any have increased their payload to handle that. Those BIG towing numbers generally only relate to Gooseneck trailer that have way less pin weights than fifth wheels.
Groover wrote:
Rumor is that that Ram may be switching to a 10-speed Allison. That could make more difference than the additional horses and torque.
newbesttrucks 2021 Ram
Would be likely just an ill informed rumor, I think. Unless maaaybe they are going to continue offering the SO and HO engines with different transmissions.
The ZF Powerline 8 speed has been in testing in these trucks for years now.
However good marketing if they do offer both, IMO.
I hat was the old adage? Perfect drivetrain = Cummins with an Allison backing it up.
(Note, the new “Allison” 10 speeds in the Duramax trucks is about 99% marketing and 1% approval to use the Alli badging )JIMNLIN wrote:
Its all about advertising. A big hp/torque/tow rating draws certain types of owners. Could be a die hard brand thing of some who has to have the biggest in his brand. Or others who have to have any brand that has the biggest specs.
Seems like the comment "but will it stop it" is part of rv cul;ture.
Towing at these weights (30k lbs+) is for commercial purposes. These type trailers can have dual tandem or dual tri axles with 14k-16k lb axle ratings.
In this type of work, just like same trucks pulling a rv, the trucks brakes stops the truck and the trailers brakes stops the trailer. If they don't work that way then get them fixed (any size combo).
LDT size trucks brakes were never designed/engineered to stop the trailer (tow ratings).
Couldn’t have said it better myself. And the same “Will it stop the trailer” comments are usually from the same folks who question towing more than a radio flyer wagon with a half ton and talk about how the bigger “ratings” are safer and how so much better it is to be at a smaller % of your ratings.
The big 3 are doing exactly this, placating the keyboard engineers....and at the same time pushing marketing numbers AND keeping all the folks who really use their trucks and been hauling 25-30k loads of hay for years with a big block Ford Highboy interested in Their new truck.
What’s comical, is generally those that question things like ratings the most and profess their “worldly” knowledge about towing, are the same people who get a chubby because they actually have a camper with a trailer hitch and can do manly “truck things” once in a while.
