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...
Forum Discussion
I was disappointed (once again) when I got my latest issue of Trailer Life yesterday, along with the annual Towing Guide.
The mag. starts off by a write-up by the editor saying how wonderful trucks are these days and compared trucks of yesterday being able to tow up to 10,00 lbs and how now, due to technology improvements, they can now tow almost 30,000 lbs. NO mention of payload capacity or improvements to that. "Kudos to the industry" he says. Pretty sad that towing capacity gets glorified and payload capacity gets swept under the carpet once again. Why doesn't the Guide include things like payload or axle ratings in the listing for each vehicle, no discussion of how to go about weighing your TT at a scale and how to interpret the results, how to adjust a WDH at a scale or how TV options can lower your payload capacity? Seems so wrong. (JMHO that I'm going to keep to myself.)
I read a lot about how some say TV ratings are just assigned by lawyers and the marketing dept. As an engineer, I subscribe to the notion that limits assigned by a manufacturer are based on engineering design are there to protect you, the general public. I will always stay within those limits so I know my family and I are safe and that I will not put anyone else on the road at risk just because I *think* the ratings are a bunch of hooey.
When we moved up to a 29' TT with a 6800 lb GVWR we bought a 3/4 ton truck. It is so much better than our old F150 which seems like a toy truck in comparison. The difference is night and day.
The mag. starts off by a write-up by the editor saying how wonderful trucks are these days and compared trucks of yesterday being able to tow up to 10,00 lbs and how now, due to technology improvements, they can now tow almost 30,000 lbs. NO mention of payload capacity or improvements to that. "Kudos to the industry" he says. Pretty sad that towing capacity gets glorified and payload capacity gets swept under the carpet once again. Why doesn't the Guide include things like payload or axle ratings in the listing for each vehicle, no discussion of how to go about weighing your TT at a scale and how to interpret the results, how to adjust a WDH at a scale or how TV options can lower your payload capacity? Seems so wrong. (JMHO that I'm going to keep to myself.)
I read a lot about how some say TV ratings are just assigned by lawyers and the marketing dept. As an engineer, I subscribe to the notion that limits assigned by a manufacturer are based on engineering design are there to protect you, the general public. I will always stay within those limits so I know my family and I are safe and that I will not put anyone else on the road at risk just because I *think* the ratings are a bunch of hooey.
When we moved up to a 29' TT with a 6800 lb GVWR we bought a 3/4 ton truck. It is so much better than our old F150 which seems like a toy truck in comparison. The difference is night and day.
