YOU NEED TO SEE THIS PIC

centracom wrote:
When I posted this thread I thought most would agree with my opinion. To the contrary. I always side with caution and don't push the limits of my tow vehicle as maybe it were intended. I guess every persons tow situation is different. I tow long distances and often in mountainous areas. On two lane, curvy roads with with 6% or higher grades. Some people may only be towing 30 miles each way on flat, straight roadways. I may think different if I towed short distances on straight, flat roadways.

Example: if your truck was rated for 12,000lbs. 10,000lbs trailer, 1,500 cargo, 500lbs of livelihood in your tow vehicle, 100lbs of firewood, 100lbs generator, 250lbs fuel = 12,450.

POINT BLANK a 1/2 ton truck is not a safe way to tow a 10,000lbs trailer, with all the amenities needed to take a trip.

Not when loaded up with batteries, 2 tanks of propane, water if you tank up your fresh at the last stop before setting up for camp, food, all the foo foo stuff the wife loaded in the trailer, plus all your hunting and fishing gear, lead weights, ammo and targets for practice, and on, and on, and on.

The guy with the 1/2 ton pickup and a TT is the last guy you'll ever see on the scales to see if they are overloaded while they plan to drive on public highways and interstates.

The guys with the 3/4 ton or 1 ton dually, and the 5th wheel is more likely, due to the amount of weight involved and getting it all safely stopped, to hit the scales and check to see if they are within limits. There's a lot of 2 lane roads and steep grades once you get into the Rocky's and further west to contend with, stuff that makes engine brakes on diesels and such nice added features to prevent you from burning up your brakes going down hill.