TT Weight limits: theory and reality
There are a ton of threads here regarding the proper matching of TV and TT. Based on what I learned here, I made a very expensive decision to upgrade my brand new 1/2 ton to a 1 ton TV so that I would...
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As for me, I went with a half-ton because it is short enough to stick in parking garages, but still provide decent towing power (9600 pounds on mine.) So, I got a TT that weighs 5000-something dry, but realistically, I'm probably dragging along 6500-7000 pounds of stuff. Still a hefty margin of safety. Not to say that I know much, but I like staying well within weight capacity for three reasons:
1: It isn't if the tow vehicle can pull... it is if it can stop the trailer. Too short yellow lights, debris in the road, perhaps even a car going 30 without headlights in dense fog hoping someone will rear end them in hopes of insurance money.
2: Wear and tear. I'm sure if I went out on longer trips, a one-ton or 3/4 ton would not even have any issues no matter where I went. A non-EB F-150 will not be fun in Colorado due to power loss at altitudes.
3: Legal mumbo-jumbo. If some lawyer even got wind that the trailer was overloaded, they could try to sue for gross negligence and treble damages. This is probably unlikely, but in theory, it can happen. For example, my insurance company knows what type of vehicle I have for towing, and how much my RV weighs dry. They, in theory, can put two and two together.
In my teenage years when I had my learner's permit, I once went with a friend of my mom's who towed a popup behind a four-banger minivan. It was so overloaded that I could not stop the vehicle unless I coasted to a light and had 1/4 of a mile preparation time. I never, ever want a white-knuckle ride like that again unless I'm hopping on a roller coaster or amusement park offering. These days, my truck can stop the truck and trailer, and when I squeeze the TBC, the trailer can stop itself and the truck.
I'm too old for a repeat of that experience... plus I really don't want to change my shorts that often.
1: It isn't if the tow vehicle can pull... it is if it can stop the trailer. Too short yellow lights, debris in the road, perhaps even a car going 30 without headlights in dense fog hoping someone will rear end them in hopes of insurance money.
2: Wear and tear. I'm sure if I went out on longer trips, a one-ton or 3/4 ton would not even have any issues no matter where I went. A non-EB F-150 will not be fun in Colorado due to power loss at altitudes.
3: Legal mumbo-jumbo. If some lawyer even got wind that the trailer was overloaded, they could try to sue for gross negligence and treble damages. This is probably unlikely, but in theory, it can happen. For example, my insurance company knows what type of vehicle I have for towing, and how much my RV weighs dry. They, in theory, can put two and two together.
In my teenage years when I had my learner's permit, I once went with a friend of my mom's who towed a popup behind a four-banger minivan. It was so overloaded that I could not stop the vehicle unless I coasted to a light and had 1/4 of a mile preparation time. I never, ever want a white-knuckle ride like that again unless I'm hopping on a roller coaster or amusement park offering. These days, my truck can stop the truck and trailer, and when I squeeze the TBC, the trailer can stop itself and the truck.
I'm too old for a repeat of that experience... plus I really don't want to change my shorts that often.
