Suspicious tow ratings

[Antique Pedaler]

Here's a quote from this a.m. newspaper: "Automakers can virtually make up the towing capacity they claim for their trucks and cars, rendering a key performance statistic all but meaningless. That may be about to change."

The story went on to describe how the major auto makers are working to create a standard test for the towing capacity they advertise to attract buyers.

The subject reminds me of two pickup reviews by the same magazine in separate issues. The two brands of truck were essentially identical, similar engine, transmission, rear end, number of rear spring leafs etc. However, there were hundreds of pounds of difference in advertised towing capacity.

The story concluded that the new rule could be in place by the end of this year.

[safari57]

When reality happens I'm sure it will surprise a lot of people. I've seen folks towing a 23' SOB that's supposedly a "lightweight", with a Dodge Caravan. They felt it fit within their Caravan's advertised weight towing capacity.

Barry

[Silvertwinkie]

You may find a good number of the imports in particular have some jaw dropping changes both in tow rating capcaity as well as needed upgrades to earn a proper tow rating.

[Hammer]

It reminds me of the time I speced a GMC chassis cab for a flat bed with a tommy lift. Rear springs were rated at 10,000 pound, truck weighed 8200 pounds with out a load. Load was typically 600 to 1500 pounds. I was literally wearing out rear shocks every 3,000 miles. To make a long story short I had to pay to have 11,000 pound springs put on, GM insisted it was an upgrade! Even though I had the track weighed and demonstrated it was impossible to to load more than 1800 pounds of appliances in the bed I was still charged. So much for GM specs.