GM 'standardized' testing?

[cwf]

Anyone see this:
GM Truck Tow Ratings Adjusted by Tougher Testing » AutoGuide.com News

It has a GM truck towing an Airstream!!!

[cwf]

Excerpt from their page:
GM Truck Tow Ratings Adjusted by Tougher Testing
Stephen Elmer | Jun 19 2014, 10:10 AM Add a Comment




Despite the existence of a standardized test, only one half-ton pickup manufacturer was using the procedure to determine its truck’s tow ratings, until now.


General Motors has released tow ratings for the 2015 Chevy Silverado and 2015 GMC Sierra based on the SAE J2807 recommended practices, revealing that both trucks maintain a maximum tow rating of 12,000 pounds.

To hit that 12,000-pound rating, you must get a two-wheel drive Silverado or Sierra double cab fit with the 6.2-liter V8 that pumps out 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque through a 3.42 rear end. The maximum trailering package is also required, tacking on a 9.76-inch rear axle, heavy-duty rear springs, revised shock tuning, enhanced cooling and an integrated trailer brake controller.

While the top rating stays the same, many of GM’s other truck configurations have been downgraded. For example, one of the most popular models, the crew cab equipped with the 5.3-liter V8 and 3.73 rear axle has lost 400 pounds from its max trailer tow rating, landing at 10,800 pounds. In fact, a number of different configurations have had 400 lbs. lopped off of their maximum tow ratings thanks to J2807.

SEE ALSO: Why Your Truck’s Tow Ratings is BS

There are a number of different J2807 specific test protocols that manufacturers must use to come up with these tow ratings. Those include measuring the temperature of the engine on a long highway upgrade modeled on the Davis Dam grade on Arizona SR 68, launch and acceleration performance on a 12 percent grade, structural performance of the vehicle and hitch receiver and more.

J2807 also assumes that the tow vehicle only includes options with higher than 33 percent penetration, that there are two passengers in the vehicle each weighing 150 pounds, that the tow vehicle includes up to 70 pounds of aftermarket hitch equipment and that 10 percent of the trailer weight is on the tongue.

Now that Chevrolet has released its J2807 numbers, watch for Ford and Ram to follow. Since the standard was introduced, Toyota has been the only company to fully comply with its half-ton truck, the Tundra. When it comes to the big three, it has been a cold war with each brand declaring that once its competitors went to J2807, they would follow. Ford had already promised that its 2015 F-150 would use the standard, so now we must wait and see if they keep their word.

[cwf]

Why your tow rating is BS...?
Why Your Pickup Truck?s Tow Rating is BS » AutoGuide.com News

Let's all review...not cast stones...they dent our Airstreams.

[Lance M]

Originally Posted by cwf

Why your tow rating is BS...?
Why Your Pickup Truck?s Tow Rating is BS » AutoGuide.com News

Let's all review...not cast stones...they dent our Airstreams.

I read that article when it came out. Interesting take on the whole marketing vs. engineering.
I have often wondered how my old 1970 C20 would fare with the J2807 standard. It was rated to tow nearly 8,000lbs by Chevy in 1970. Four wheel power drum brakes.

[dmccoach]

Yes, had also seen this new testing recently... and interesting.

[dbj216]

I'm hopeful the industry will adapt J-2807 tow rating standard. It's great GM is doing so. There are SAE standards for horsepower, for fuel consumption, for crash safety, so why not safe towing capability. I hope it gets applied to SUVs, vans, and sedans. Marketing needs to step aside and let the engineers report the facts on vehicle towing performance.

David

David

[cory_can]

The problem I can see is that manufacturers will be forced to spend money to get data for the standards. Due to the associated costs they will only do this on certain categories of vehicles and completely ignore the others. This will likely result in even less options for towing that meet "the standard" (on paper) even if several others are just as capable. A similar problem exists on import rules/costs....crash testing and alike. There are 100's of models of cars we don't see in NA because "federalizing"costs the manufacturers millions of $$. I'm not saying that these other category cars won't be sold but will either have a "0" rating or some special rating only for bike racks and alike.

[perryg114]

If you go by these tow ratings a 1/2 ton truck has more towing capacity than an F-350. Who in their right mind would tow 12000 lbs with a 1/2 ton truck? At least an F-350 of a few years ago.

Perry

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by perryg114

If you go by these tow ratings a 1/2 ton truck has more towing capacity than an F-350. Who in their right mind would tow 12000 lbs with a 1/2 ton truck? At least an F-350 of a few years ago.

Perry

Only a boater with a low TW. Powertrain is very stout, as is braking....but you still run out of axle rating very quickly with much in the bed and a travel trailer. The powertrain is basically a 3/4 ton and one ton with the MaxTow package and 6.2l.

[dbj216]

Heck, we have a fellow in town that pulls his skid steer on a big tandem trailer with his wife's mini-van. My 34 footer at 8000 lbs was successfully pulled with a Bonneville.

I really like my F-350, but sometimes I feel like I'm quail hunting with a 10ga.

David