Are You Buying All These Half-ton Claims?
"All-New F-150 Can Tow a Ram, a Silverado & Haul Two Hondas" Tows 12,200, claimed. (Ford Truck Enthusiasts) I guess we can soon do away with our 3/4 & 1-tonners. In a couple years the capacity rac...
Forum Discussion
How are we defining SAFE? Safe isn't necessarily reflected by amount of weight being towed, or manner in which it is towed. A lot of these arguments are using the fear of not being safe when in reality they are discussing maintenance issues.
I will provide the example again, since it hasn't been answered...
A Ford F150 rated to pull 10,000 lbs with a payload of around 2000 lbs is our theoretical vehicle with 800 lbs of gear and passengers.
Its pulling an 8000 lbs bumper pull, has 1000 lbs tongue weight (including WDH)and 800 lbs of gear. It is at 80% of its tow rating and 200 lbs under payload, has 12.5% tongue weight. This is considered "safe".
Now its pulling an 8000 5er. It has 1600 lbs of weight on the pin, plus 800 lbs of gear and passengers. Still at 80% of its tow rating, but now we are 400 lbs OVER our payload. This is "unsafe"...?
We are pulling the same weight, our GCVWR is the exact same.
The braking system has to satisfy those weights either way.
The 5er "pulls better" because the weight is better distributed and less prone to sway.
How is it less SAFE?
I know it is more likely to have frame problems or rear suspension problems from long term use. Those problems are going to result in damage to components eventually, likely costing more money for maintenance.
But how is it any less SAFE to overload your payload, but still carry the same weight? More likely to damage components and have to incur costs to repair... but safety? Now what if that F150 has air bags to support the additional weight... now the weaker springs are taken out of the equation. Now what if the F150 has D or E rated tires that are grossly overrated for its weights... that takes tires out of the question.
Short of braking all 5 lugs at the same time and losing a wheel, the rear axle itself snapping in half or the axle coming undone... what safety issues are there? We are 400 lbs over payload, but likely still under the manufacturers rating for that axle.
Where is the SAFETY issue?
That being said, I am not advocating towing over your GVWR... but I really question how it is a SAFETY issue. As far as I can tell, its a warranty and maintenance issue.
I will provide the example again, since it hasn't been answered...
A Ford F150 rated to pull 10,000 lbs with a payload of around 2000 lbs is our theoretical vehicle with 800 lbs of gear and passengers.
Its pulling an 8000 lbs bumper pull, has 1000 lbs tongue weight (including WDH)and 800 lbs of gear. It is at 80% of its tow rating and 200 lbs under payload, has 12.5% tongue weight. This is considered "safe".
Now its pulling an 8000 5er. It has 1600 lbs of weight on the pin, plus 800 lbs of gear and passengers. Still at 80% of its tow rating, but now we are 400 lbs OVER our payload. This is "unsafe"...?
We are pulling the same weight, our GCVWR is the exact same.
The braking system has to satisfy those weights either way.
The 5er "pulls better" because the weight is better distributed and less prone to sway.
How is it less SAFE?
I know it is more likely to have frame problems or rear suspension problems from long term use. Those problems are going to result in damage to components eventually, likely costing more money for maintenance.
But how is it any less SAFE to overload your payload, but still carry the same weight? More likely to damage components and have to incur costs to repair... but safety? Now what if that F150 has air bags to support the additional weight... now the weaker springs are taken out of the equation. Now what if the F150 has D or E rated tires that are grossly overrated for its weights... that takes tires out of the question.
Short of braking all 5 lugs at the same time and losing a wheel, the rear axle itself snapping in half or the axle coming undone... what safety issues are there? We are 400 lbs over payload, but likely still under the manufacturers rating for that axle.
Where is the SAFETY issue?
That being said, I am not advocating towing over your GVWR... but I really question how it is a SAFETY issue. As far as I can tell, its a warranty and maintenance issue.
