TT Accident - SWAY

Fast Mopar wrote:

transferred wrote:
Very true, dodge guy. The only thing I'll add is that that 3/4 ton was a gasser which weighs approximately 1,000 lbs less than the diesels. Not the main factor, of course.

It sounds like you are implying that since a diesel truck is heavier than the same model gas truck, that the diesel would be able to handle the load better due to the extra weight. Actually, according to the manufacturers, this is not true. A 4WD truck is a little heavier than the same truck with 2WD, and the 2WD version has a slightly higher tow rating. Likewise, a regular cab truck is lighter than the same truck in a crew cab, and the regular cab version has a slightly higher tow rating. Look up the tow ratings for any of the Big 3 and that is what you will find. Certainly a diesel truck will be rated to tow more than an equivalent gas truck, but it has nothing to do with the fact that the diesel engine weighs more than the gas engine.

You misunderstand me, I know the diesels are not rated for more weight I simply mean that at some point the tail is unable to wag the dog. For instance, if it was a class 6 towing the smallish TT it would still have swayed but the TV would not have been flipped around facing oncoming traffic. I doubt an extra 1k on the tow vehicle would've stopped the F250 being flung around but weight of the tow vehicle IS a factor with heavier being better.

Your citing of the truck manufacturers ratings is due to combined weight factors (why a 2wd is rated for more etc) involving lots of things but simple physics was behind my statement, nothing more. Of course, driving to fast and not properly using/setting up the trailer brakes are the primary causes of this incident.