Huge discrepancies
We have been looking at F-150s. Each time we find one that looks like a likely candidate, we call the dealership and ask about it, including the payload capacity. Four out of four people have given ...
Forum Discussion
LarryJM wrote:
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While it's true that the brakes are tested to FMVSS safety standards at the GVWR, but you have to remember that in fairly hard braking there is a LOT OF EXTRA braking naturally performed by the TV especially on the front axle of the TV. This becomes important and even critical in down hill braking where heat and brake fade can become a factor. I also content, but can't prove that there is just no way that the normal electric brakes on a TT provide the level of braking that the power assisted and now days disk brakes provide on modern TVs. This is why I sort of cringe when I see a 7K GVWR towing a 9K TT.
Larry
Yes, the trailer brakes are certainly a weak link in our systems and require constant vigilance. I would pay dearly for a quality axle with disk brakes, decent tires and with a better link to my tow truck. But I guess there are not many who would.
The alternative is to rely totally on our vehicle brakes as the Motorhomes and truck campers do. But I would need another 6500# payload to do so.
I tow a 7-8K TT with a 7.5K tow truck. And there are many 10-12K trucks out there towing 12K trailers. I don't cringe, but do drive carefully and slowly. It's the compromise we make with our TTs and their extra (and cheap) axle/brakes/tires.
