Why your truck's tow rating is BS.....

Sad that the article didn't touch on the real reason most tow ratings are BS. As we on this forum all know it's payload, but it would be nice to see that understood on a more mainstream level.

Bottom line:
Auto mfg's have developed their own testing standards to date and how they specify tow ratings. If you screw up and have a bogus tow specification liability is a nasty word.

In general I agree with a standardized test, but depending how these tests are defined, it could be a good or bad thing for the consumer.

This goes beyond bragging rights.

Truck sales are big business, carmakers can't afford to lose a sale.
90% of Ford's global profits derived from the F Series, and 66% of GM's are derived from the Sierra and Silverado. You can't take risks with the goose that lays your golden eggs.

Taco wrote:
I wouldn't worry too much about the ability to start on a grade for the future trucks with the 8-9-10 speed transmissions coming. There is bound to be a 6:1 or so 1st gear in there. That should get a good bit of weight moving from a standstill

If anybody important reads this forum I want a 6:1, 4:1, 3:1, 2.3:1, 1.8:1, 1.5:1 1.3:1, 1.1:1, 0.85:1, 0.67:1 in my ten speed please.

I would prefer to start in the 8 or 10-1 range! and go up to a .75 od at best. No reason to have a dod. On the other hand, one could then go to a 4.33 axel gear, with a .64, and have the same 60 mph rpm as a .74 3.73 setup.....no right or wrong on this, only the how one gets the torque multiplied to the amount such that one can pull 30+% grade at rated capacity! THEN I will take notice, until then, the J2807 spec is useless! as are the current specs by most manufactures!

Marty

Tow rating isn't the first or most inportant thing to me when I buy a pickup.

Frustrating dance the Big 3 are performing here.

Even the Toyota bashers have to acknowledge that they stepped up where others did not.

My takeaway: this is another sad reminder that honesty and being forthcoming should never be allowed to get in the way of a sale. And that attitude isn't exclusive to the auto industry.

I wouldn't worry too much about the ability to start on a grade for the future trucks with the 8-9-10 speed transmissions coming. There is bound to be a 6:1 or so 1st gear in there. That should get a good bit of weight moving from a standstill

If anybody important reads this forum I want a 6:1, 4:1, 3:1, 2.3:1, 1.8:1, 1.5:1 1.3:1, 1.1:1, 0.85:1, 0.67:1 in my ten speed please.

Until J2807 is either adopted by them all, or killed off...all we
have are the specifications from the OEMs

They *ALL* have GVWR, GAWR F/R, GCWR and a host of other specifications
and ratings

We can choose to ignore them (don't believe in ratings/specifications)
or adhere to them.

There is a kinda sorta middle ground where folks make up their own
based on the OEM ratings. A combo of using percentages to selectively
ignoring 'certain' ones. Even comparing to non light truck and then
modifying based on them

I've been in design all my adult professional life. Even after leaving
engineering to the corporate side.

In that, lived by specifications, limits, ratings and certification
for and by regulatory agencies

So, until the ignore them, all adhere to J2807 or some such over
arching regulatory agency specification...I'll go by the OEM specifications
and ratings.

ALong with, the spec only test to a max initial take off of 12%! I was up a 20% grade the other day, Know where another local is 24%. So if and when the J2082 or whatever the number is, is actually in place per say, I still will not trust a single manufactures tow ratings, as it is not how I tow etc! When they test to a 20-30% range starting, I'll take notice. My drive way is steeper than 12%!!!!!

marty