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
TomG2 wrote:Ford uses the same brakes on all F-250s and F-350SRWs. GVWRs for these trucks range from 9900 to 11500#. Adding nearly 2000# to the GVWR does not gain anything in braking capacity.Ron Gratz wrote:That is interesting (but not surprising) that Ford uses the same brakes on all their F-150's. Compare them to the F-250's and F-350's.
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One could argue that the higher GVWR would mean more robust brakes. However, the 2013 F-150 specs page 96 (9 of 15) show that Ford uses the same brakes for 8200# GVWR as for 6450# GVWR.
And, even if brakes do generate greater stopping torque, the stopping force still is limited by friction coefficient and GVW.
Don't the 3/4 and 1 ton models weigh over 1,000 pounds more than the half ton models, thereby changing the ratio of TV weight to trailer weight? (Towing the same trailer as the half ton) If there is a total failure of the TT brakes, then the TV must stop the whole deal.---Yes, the curb weight difference is around 1000# for comparable body styles and engines. However, the TV brakes also must stop that added 1000#. With a trailer axle load of 8700#, the added 1000# of TV weight would give an increase in braking deceleration of about 4%.
But, the issue which led to this line of discussion was -- for a given TV with a given GVW, does a greater amount of unused payload capacity give shorter stopping distance.
Ron
