Truck camper payload question?
I have a truck camper payload question. If this is the wrong forum, I apologize in advance. I also posted this in the truck forum. We recently put a deposit down on a flatbed Northstar Escape Pod ...
Forum Discussion
wnjj wrote:bjbear wrote:
The GVWR is important, be because there are so many factors included in this rating, I believe there is some wriggle room. Nobody as far as I am aware regulates being over this rating (i.e. you won't get a ticket). However, just be aware, that if you are climbing a steep hill, at high altitude on a very hot day, you might have problems. Also, you have to think of the brakes going down hill as well.
I agree with the wiggle room thought. As for pulling a steep hill in the heat, towing at GCWR requires far more power than hauling a camper that puts you over GVWR. The engine doesn't care if it's onboard or being towed. Brakes are probably the real limit beyond suspension but consider it like a being at GVWR and towing a small trailer without brakes on it and drive accordingly.
The steep hill was just an example..... What I was trying to express is that when they set the GVWR, they run many different scenarios and design for the almost worst case. It is a trade off between providing a vehicle that will meet most peoples needs and the high cost to design the truck for ALL possible scenarios. In other words, if you are over GVWR, you will have no problems on the flat on a moderately cool day. However, at some point you may exceed the "almost worse case" and you might have problems.
