YOU NEED TO SEE THIS PIC

I like the vintage photos, of course the car probably our weighted the TT.

As I recall my 60’s vintage Plymouth station wagon with 440 cu.in. engine did not have much of a problem pulling our 14 ft. Shasta.

DutchmenSport

Had a 1964 Shasta with that front overhang/bunk.Great trailer like pulling a very large truck camper..You didn't have to make the couch down to sleep,just crawl up in the bunk above the dinette.

My uncle pulled one with a 1957 Chevy Belair..Go figure..Rated for six passengers back then which made it right around 4,000 lbs loaded or GVWR in modern terms, not used back then on cars.:B

Those trailers were popular for a short while as then the old style fifth wheel came around..Basically,a travel trailer with a small bunk above the fifth wheel..A hands and knee's affair for the bed.

Times have changed and mostly for the better but the basic premises of towing has not changed one bit.Get from point A to point B safely and they did back then also driving by the Basic Rule of travel.

If anyone has ever had a basic rule violation,they know what that means.:D

Do I think the truck will fall apart and fail at its max, NOPE. Do I think a truck at its max is going to feel great, NOPE.

My experiance, three separate tow vehicals, all did a great job on a trailer roughly 2000 pds below its max tow. When I upgraded the TT to the max or close to it, handled poorly. Enough that I would need to reduce speed and not travel in winds over 40mph.

Things I did not like,

Wife not wanting to travel, went seasonal a couple seasons or stayed very close to home
Wife wanting to travel in a separate vehical, this was not that big of a negative other then the added fuel cost.
Having to cancel trips due to wind
Having people pass me, especially on 2 lane roads pointing their finger at me in a gun motion.

People are nuts, I always knew I could keep my vehical in control with reduced speeds. But road rage did concern me, some people will try and hurt you. Few times I am doing about 5 under the speed limit, maybe 10 at times and you would get that loon who would pass you, cut in sharp and slow down. I do think you can run into those nuts properly set up but when following the rules of the road I think you have a better chance of not setting off the short fuse guy. The guy with the fuse already gone there is no hope for.

In all but one setup I was legal, under payload by about 200pds. Had added E rated tires, airbags and antisway hitches like the reese dual cam. For some people I am sure it tows great, just not for me, and not saying someone should or should not do it. I do think severely overloading a vehical is reckless. We will joke and laugh at the guy hauling a bunch of lumber home with his car and trailer, ( and yes I have done this to), almost touching the ground saying, " look at buddy he needs a truck". What's the differance when a person does the same thing with a truck lol?

op says wrote:
DockmasterDave,
Did you see the pic I posted? Silverado 1500 and a 10,000+ lbs trailer. IMy personal opinion is that 7,500 or 8,000 lbs trailer once loaded is still to heavy. I dont care what the truck is rated at, if there is a failure with brakes or tires on the trailer a 1/2 pickup will have a hell of a time stopping in an emergency with that much weight. This is my personal opinion not that of a truck manufacturer.

Many out here believe the truck manufactures specs...... for any size truck. I know I use 100 percent of my trucks GAWRs and tow ratings for towing my RVs or other heavier trailers.

Keep in mind here 1/2 ton trucks come in sizes from a 6xxx GVWR up to 8600 GVWR. They also come with rear axle rated from 3700 RAWR on up to 6084 RAWR. Some come with small P tires and some come with LT E tires.

I just ran the numbers on GM online ordering guide web pages on a new '14 1500 chevy LTZ 2wd crew cab 6.2 engine 3.73 axle 7200 GVWR std box.
GM says this truck has a 12000 lb tow rating (bumper or 5th) with 1900 lb payload. I've no doubt this truck will do what its designed to do.

Trucks brakes failing on a 1/2 ton ??
I would worry more about the space shuttle falling on me than about the truck brakes failing.

Tire failure ???
That can happen with any size truck. Keeping a quality LT tire on the truck will go along way to eliminate tire issues.

Just my opinion.

DutchmenSport wrote:

4X4Dodger wrote:

PAThwacker wrote:

jaycocreek wrote:
4X4Dodger has it spot on!

Maybe it's just internet forums or just the new breed of Rver who over thinks everything he does or just plain lack of experience with actual hands on the subject in which he is posting,speaking third party not from boots on the ground.

I guess the funny thing to me is,all the wrecks lately with an RV involved around here were 8 lug rigs showing lack of experience or driver error "not" with ratings involved at all.

Never in 50 years of towing have I seen an RV wreck based solely on tow ratings or especially payload numbers..Not 1 but I have seen a lot of them based on road/weather conditions or operator error!

End the comments about towing 50 plus years ago!

Ever think there are more cars, trucks, rvs, and idiots on the roads today? Which is worse smartphone users all day and night, or the drunk fool leaving happy hour?

Highways in PA were made in the 60's and are not rated for modern day traffic/trucks etc. Need to replace every overpass statewide, and constant construction.

Why end the comments about towing 50 years ago...do the Physics change? Since When? And what is the harm in looking back to add perspective to this constant numbers debate?

The fact is people did it back then without all this fuss, navel gazing and jawboning, endless numbers debates and hand-wringing. And for the most part they did it safely and had fun.

And pray tell...what do the drunks, smartphones and more cars have to do with this weight debate? Driving safely is driving safely in 2014 or 1946...yes conditions are a bit different but my guess is they are much better overall now than in 1946. We have bigger roads, wider lanes, less steep grades, more shoulder...well I could go on and on...

And I would remind you that the PA Turnpike was this nations first multi-lane, controlled access divided hwy. And I am sure those folks back then with their trailer behind their '53 Mercury loved it.

Why does history intimidate you so?

Probably should take this over to the vintage forums, but here goes anyway. .... How about 53 years ago! ... 1962 .... My dad bought this car and this trailer. I wish I could remember and knew more about this car, it took us all over the U.S.A. This photo Southern Florida along the Gulf somewhere, the year was 1963. The second was Johnson City, Texas in 1968. I remember riding in the back of that station wagon ... oh lord help me ... in the back stretched out laying across the back .... with no seat belts anywhere in the car! I think the engine was a 440. No clue what type of transmission it had. It had an aftermarket trailer brake controller that was somehow linked to the brake pedal. When the brake was pushed, the handle on the controller moved. I remember laying on the front (full) seat between Mom and Dad with my head on Dad's lap as he was driving watching that knob move up and down when he applied the brakes.

OK, I drive a new 2014 Chevy 3500 diesel duly that cost more than my entire college education! But if I had opportunity to tow with that car, I'd do it in a heart beat!

By the way, that car was a Pontiac!... yea ... GM!

I loved your photos and the perspective you brought to this discussion. Yes isnt it a wonder that we all survived without seatbelts, bicycle helmets, knee pads, anti lock brakes and so on...:)

This IS NOT to say that I am a Luddite and do not appreciate advancements in technology and safety. I personally have designed some of the technology many people use on a daily basis...but that is a different story than trying to bring a more nuanced approach to this debate which is often dominated by what I have dubbed "The Numbers Nay-Sayers" Those who beat the drum of the NECESSITY of the ever larger, heavier and more expensive TV's.

Your post really brought a smile to my face.

Nvr2loud wrote:

What I said in my original statement was CAPABLE (clearly my truck is capable since I do it without any issues) and LEGAL are two different words. If I was involved in a serious incident, my overloading MAY be held against me legally. Not likely, but possible.

This and other forums are full of this rhetoric. Your over by a little and get into an accident that was your fault, by what? Your actions, a blown tire, negligence, broken spring on the trailer? Does not matter, even if they do put it all back together and somehow manage to determine you're over weight by 300lbs insurance will cover it and you will not find yourself charged with anything unless your driving actions caused it, even still insurance will cover it.

It's insurance, in some places in they'll still cover you if you were drunk.

I've yet to hear one credible "story" of anyone being charged with overloading an RV and NEVER in Canada. Can Am in London regularly "overloads" vehicles(it's their specialty) and they have never been charged with anything. Urban legends, nothing more.

I agree somewhat with the "50 years" debate that things in the past were different.

What others are forgetting is how much things have changed though. Traffic related deaths per capita have been falling every year, mostly due to these new fangled safety devices you didn't have 50 years ago.

People didnt used to tow with large trucks and didn't have a WDH. They also used to blood let to treat illness.

I think things are safer now, and yes history has a place to teach us how to move forward safely.

4X4Dodger wrote:

PAThwacker wrote:

jaycocreek wrote:
4X4Dodger has it spot on!

Maybe it's just internet forums or just the new breed of Rver who over thinks everything he does or just plain lack of experience with actual hands on the subject in which he is posting,speaking third party not from boots on the ground.

I guess the funny thing to me is,all the wrecks lately with an RV involved around here were 8 lug rigs showing lack of experience or driver error "not" with ratings involved at all.

Never in 50 years of towing have I seen an RV wreck based solely on tow ratings or especially payload numbers..Not 1 but I have seen a lot of them based on road/weather conditions or operator error!

End the comments about towing 50 plus years ago!

Ever think there are more cars, trucks, rvs, and idiots on the roads today? Which is worse smartphone users all day and night, or the drunk fool leaving happy hour?

Highways in PA were made in the 60's and are not rated for modern day traffic/trucks etc. Need to replace every overpass statewide, and constant construction.

Why end the comments about towing 50 years ago...do the Physics change? Since When? And what is the harm in looking back to add perspective to this constant numbers debate?

The fact is people did it back then without all this fuss, navel gazing and jawboning, endless numbers debates and hand-wringing. And for the most part they did it safely and had fun.

And pray tell...what do the drunks, smartphones and more cars have to do with this weight debate? Driving safely is driving safely in 2014 or 1946...yes conditions are a bit different but my guess is they are much better overall now than in 1946. We have bigger roads, wider lanes, less steep grades, more shoulder...well I could go on and on...

And I would remind you that the PA Turnpike was this nations first multi-lane, controlled access divided hwy. And I am sure those folks back then with their trailer behind their '53 Mercury loved it.

Why does history intimidate you so?

Probably should take this over to the vintage forums, but here goes anyway. .... How about 53 years ago! ... 1962 .... My dad bought this car and this trailer. I wish I could remember and knew more about this car, it took us all over the U.S.A. This photo Southern Florida along the Gulf somewhere, the year was 1963. The second was Johnson City, Texas in 1968. I remember riding in the back of that station wagon ... oh lord help me ... in the back stretched out laying across the back .... with no seat belts anywhere in the car! I think the engine was a 440. No clue what type of transmission it had. It had an aftermarket trailer brake controller that was somehow linked to the brake pedal. When the brake was pushed, the handle on the controller moved. I remember laying on the front (full) seat between Mom and Dad with my head on Dad's lap as he was driving watching that knob move up and down when he applied the brakes.

OK, I drive a new 2014 Chevy 3500 diesel duly that cost more than my entire college education! But if I had opportunity to tow with that car, I'd do it in a heart beat!

By the way, that car was a Pontiac!... yea ... GM!

PAThwacker wrote:

bhall wrote:

nomad297 wrote:
Where on the picture does it state that the truck is a 1500? Am I missing something?

Bruce

I have a 2500 (new style) and that is definitely not a 2500/3500 as the grille, hood and bumper are different. Also appears to lack 2500/3500 badging on the doors as well as lacking 8 lugs.

Number one identifier is the 6 lug rims. I saw someone on FB trying to sell a 90's k1500. He said "its a HD Chevy with 6200gvw":B

Actually, the different front end was #1 for me, but see the front end of my 2500 everyday and know it's different then the 1500 version. I wouldn't even want to tow my muscle car or street rod on a trailer anymore with my old 2011 GMC 1500 and I thought it was capable when I did. Night and day difference just in handling. Shame on these salesmen. I got stung by them too.

PAThwacker wrote:

jaycocreek wrote:
4X4Dodger has it spot on!

Maybe it's just internet forums or just the new breed of Rver who over thinks everything he does or just plain lack of experience with actual hands on the subject in which he is posting,speaking third party not from boots on the ground.

I guess the funny thing to me is,all the wrecks lately with an RV involved around here were 8 lug rigs showing lack of experience or driver error "not" with ratings involved at all.

Never in 50 years of towing have I seen an RV wreck based solely on tow ratings or especially payload numbers..Not 1 but I have seen a lot of them based on road/weather conditions or operator error!

End the comments about towing 50 plus years ago!

Ever think there are more cars, trucks, rvs, and idiots on the roads today? Which is worse smartphone users all day and night, or the drunk fool leaving happy hour?

Highways in PA were made in the 60's and are not rated for modern day traffic/trucks etc. Need to replace every overpass statewide, and constant construction.

Why end the comments about towing 50 years ago...do the Physics change? Since When? And what is the harm in looking back to add perspective to this constant numbers debate?

The fact is people did it back then without all this fuss, navel gazing and jawboning, endless numbers debates and hand-wringing. And for the most part they did it safely and had fun.

And pray tell...what do the drunks, smartphones and more cars have to do with this weight debate? Driving safely is driving safely in 2014 or 1946...yes conditions are a bit different but my guess is they are much better overall now than in 1946. We have bigger roads, wider lanes, less steep grades, more shoulder...well I could go on and on...

And I would remind you that the PA Turnpike was this nations first multi-lane, controlled access divided hwy. And I am sure those folks back then with their trailer behind their '53 Mercury loved it.

Why does history intimidate you so?