Are You Buying All These Half-ton Claims?

spoon059 wrote:
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"...?

............

CKNSLS wrote:
^^^^^^^^^^^^^

It just seems maxing out payload like the above is not a good idea.

I wouldn't put my family in that vehicle with those numbers.

But to each his own.....

Sorry, I would go with the 5er 400# OVER payload! IF one is not exceeding the tire ratings. The 5er is inherently more stable, as long as you have not exceeded the axle rating (by too much), and are within the tire ratings.

The real issues with the safety of the package is the abilities of the driver. It is all about defensive driving, and this doesn't mean driving slower than the speed limit.
It is avoiding distraction, eyes on all parts of the road front, rear and side. Thinking about the job at hand and who or what could be a danger to you.
Then being able to correctly respond to those dangers.