How important is relationship between vehicle weight and trailer weight?

[rostam]

Originally Posted by jcl

Do you have a source for that?

I lived in the UK in the past, and was aware of a % limit of tow vehicle and caravan weight, but that was for unbraked trailers. There wasn't a limit with braked trailers, and all trailers over a certain GVWR needed brakes anyway. Certainly anything in the Airstream class needed brakes.

Same rule exists in Alberta, but it is for very light unbraked trailers.

Since European countries don't use weight distributing hitches, the relevance of such a regulation may be moot.

Should have said recommendation, rather than law.

Here is a link:

Matching Car and Caravan - The Camping and Caravanning Club

They recommend a trailer that weighs 85% of the TV for beginners, and 100% of the TV for experienced folks.

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by rostam

Should have said recommendation, rather than law.

Here is a link:

Matching Car and Caravan - The Camping and Caravanning Club

They recommend a trailer that weighs 85% of the TV for beginners, and 100% of the TV for experienced folks.

Crap, I need to find a 10,000 lb pickup truck.....or heck, I'll just put 2700# of rocks in the bed.

[jcl]

Re post #40:

Interesting. I don't have that test data to compare, so I will concede it. I would have estimated closer to 1.3, because of not analyzing the pressure distribution across the contact patch.

What is the corresponding reduction in contact area for the front axle by using the narrower tire, compared to the wider tire used on the SRW truck?

The biggest limitation in the link provided previously is that it is a Formula 1 tire, with atypical dimensions for a truck tire.

I thought of providing the link to the Boeing publication that says to use aircraft weight divided by tire pressure to calculate tire contact area, with a 1.6 ellipse, but figured that would take us even further afield. Keep it in mind if you fly on a 777 though.

Jeff

[jcl]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

Crap, I need to find a 10,000 lb pickup truck.....or heck, I'll just put 2700# of rocks in the bed.

No, that recommendation is based on empty weight, before cargo. But it includes a driver and fuel. So you do need a 10,000 lb truck. To carry on with their recommendations, you can't use weight distribution equipment. They expect a 5% tongue weight. And surge brakes. Not sure how relevant it all is.

But I suppose if I was towing with all those restrictions I might want a heavier tow vehicle too.

Jeff

[dznf0g]

I think, Jeff you are assuming a narrower tire in a dually application. That may be true in some cases, but not all. It depends greatly upon wheel choice and the distance the dually wheels provide between tire sidewalls.

We would have to look at many factory offerings and discuss each....at least in groupings.

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by jcl

No, that recommendation is based on empty weight, before cargo. But it includes a driver and fuel. So you do need a 10,000 lb truck. To carry on with their recommendations, you can't use weight distribution equipment. They expect a 5% tongue weight. And surge brakes. Not sure how relevant it all is.

But I suppose if I was towing with all those restrictions I might want a heavier tow vehicle too.

Jeff

I know...trying to interject a little levity. Often Europeans slay me.

[dznf0g]

And so do US regs...........

[jcl]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

I think, Jeff you are assuming a narrower tire in a dually application. That may be true in some cases, but not all. It depends greatly upon wheel choice and the distance the dually wheels provide between tire sidewalls.

Yes, I am, in general. That is based on my experience with one ton trucks. And watching my former company switch to super singles on Peterbilt Class 8 tractors.

Jeff

[jcl]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

I know...trying to interject a little levity. Often Europeans slay me.

And Canadians?

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by jcl

Yes, I am, in general. That is based on my experience with one ton trucks. And watching my former company switch to super singles on Peterbilt Class 8 tractors.

Jeff

I don't even want to go there. Find it interesting, but know nuttin about it except conjecture. They look cool though!

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by jcl

And Canadians?

Ummmmmm, cousins to both? But we're all odd!

[switz]

Crossing the Cat scales, my Dodge truck was 8,960 pounds and the Airstream trailer was 9,120 pounds. Both vehicles have four Michelin tires on the ground - factory installed LT265/70R17E tires on the truck and LT225/75R16/E LTX M/S2 tires on the trailer. Both vehicles have disc brakes.

Per the conversations above, both vehicles would have similar braking capacity since they are essentially similar weights so it seems like a balanced towing combination.