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
Seattle Lion wrote:Buck50HD wrote:
The braking argument is always my favorite subject. Many think a larger truck is going to save them in a panic stop IF the trailer brakes happen to go out (or they are too lazy to adjust them properly). The few feet shorter stopping distance as a result of about 500-1000 lb more of the GCW being on the truck tires will only be a few % improvement in the big picture. How many critical situations will be avoided by a few feet? I'm not discounting the advantages of a heavier vehicle, just pointing out a fact.
I don't know about you, but in my car (not the truck so far) I have narrowly missed a collision by less than a foot. I am not sure you are correct about the small gain in stopping power, but any gain can be the difference between life and death.
So, if you would have hit the other person at 5mph instead of stopping at his bumper, it would be a difference of some body work. That's my point... the difference is minimal, not necessarily life threatening.
There are a lot of older 3/4 and 1 ton rigs out there that don't have the advantage of stability control and trailer sway control to keep the rig on course. Depending on the situation, that could far outweight a little extra mass in an avoidance maneuver. This would be a great reason to upgrade but few would feel the need.
