Towing and Hauling

[Wingeezer]

Originally Posted by Adam Geuss

We try to buy and use "stuff" well within the expressed parameters established by the manufacturer. Overkill I admit as a means to protect ourselves from inadvertent misuse. Our way.

That has always been my philosophy also.

Ever since I have been on this forum I have read much debate about selection of tow vehicles.

Despite being a retired engineer, I have no real insight into how well a vehicle not rated by the manufacturer can be successfully "modified" to tow heavier trailers. Many factors involved.

It does seem from what I have read here though that people who do use smaller vehicles seem completely happy with their choice and with the performance results.

For my part though, there are several basic reasons I would not go that route:

(1) My feeling is that the better choice for longevity and reliability of any piece of mechanical equipment is to use it at some lower percentage level than the manufacturer has determined to be its maximum rating.

(2) Seems to me a heavy, long wheel-based vehicle with large brakes has to be a safer arrangement for towing. I have towed with lighter vehicles than we now own - though still adequately rated - and find that the present experience involves fewer white knuckle situation, and that feeling that the tail is close to being ready to wag the dog! I also use a Hensley hitch now as well so Im sure that helps a lot.

(3) Having no legal background, I don't really know the potential impact on my liability, but my sense is that I would be in a bad position if ever involved in an accident and the facts surfaced that I was towing a heavy trailer with a vehicle not having the appropriate capacity rating.

Even if this were never to become an issue, I am such a worry wart and would always have the concern in the back of my mind and that would always detract from my enjoyment of the RV lifestyle!

That's my take on the debate!

As for carrying motorcycles, I would love to take my bike on our RV trips, but it weighs around 900 pounds and I only weigh 145! I think that for me to try to get it up onto the truck bed on ramps would be a disaster waiting to happen, especially since the TV id a 4x4 and the bed is quite high.

I did consider it when we bought the truck but conclude that the only way I would do it would be with one of those self loading rigs designed for the purpose.

But the fact that we make so much use out of our truck bed with a cap to keep clutter out of the trailer precludes that, so I have to be satisfied with taking bicycles instead!

Brian.

[reelfastgreg]

Wingeezer, thanks for that post. it summarizes my take on this as well. i certainly could have kept my half ton Tundra but it was right at the limit with the boat and trailer and then along came the AS. i was uncomfortable hauling the boat and finally decided that towing with a rig that was already at its advertised limit was foolish.

we only have 2,000+ miles of tow with the AS and F350, but i can tell you there is no white knuckle driving involved. even my wife has expressed how relaxed she is with this setup. that is good to hear for me because this has always been an issue in the past with tow vehicles.

it is helpful as well that we get good fuel economy with this truck, way better than the 1/2 ton. the suspension does not have us bouncing down the road and there was no need to add air bags to the rear. straight out of the box, this truck was meant to tow.

i would be totally uncomfortable with any SUV as a tow vehicle for this AS but i guess folks get by with what they use. its just not for us.

[John&Vicki]

Thank you Michael. I can't count how many times I've read here that if you are over limits and have an accident the lawyers will take all your money, lovk you up, and throw away the key. How about some factual documentation?

John

P.S. No, I'm not over limits with my rig. Just tired of unsubstantiated claims on the internet. Saying it doesn't make it true, no matter how many times it's said.

[Ampman]

The driver is ultimately responsible for the rig he is driving. Drag an overloaded rig down the road and get in an accident you will lose your tail. Their is no manufacture of equipment that will assume responsibility if misused or operated out of spec. Most lawsuits are settled out of court and the records sealed. I ain't taking no chances and I pray that others don't either. With lawsuits where McDonalds get sued for too hot of coffee I would think a fella with an overloaded rig would be chopped liver if involved in a crash. We owe it to ourselves, family and fellow travelers to tow within the limits.


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[John&Vicki]

I completely agree that we have a serious responsibility towing these trailers. We are responsible not only for ourselves and our passengers but for others on the road. That's a given.

There's another form of responsibility also - not to spread information with no basis. I'm not trying to pick on anyone here, I guess I'm just tired of the rampant mis-information in our culture, facilitated greatly by the internet. Politicians say the same lies over and over and over until they become a kind of "truth" with the faithful.

This is real:
It's stupid, dangerous and irresponsible to exceed manufacturers limits when towing.

This is not:
If you do you will be sued for everything you have.

Cheers,
John

[KiraR]

Having just done all this research for myself and my 30' AS, I'd like to add that the Ram Dodge 2500 with the 6.7L Cumins diesel engine is the most comfortable of all the larger trucks I (reluctantly) tried. I tried the F150 and F250. The F150 wasn't 'big enough'. The F250 felt like I was bumping around with nothing to hold on to.
That's all personal.
But the technical details, such as how much the truck can tow safely while on the road and wind and other vehicles (18 wheelers) blowing past you should not be taken lightly.

You've asked in the right place. There's so much knowledge around here!
Good luck!

[slowmover]

Don't exceed the tire/wheel/axle limits. As to "ratings" there are thousands of commercial operators using trucks quite legally loaded past a VM "rating".

And many of us used cars to tow trailers heavier than "ratings" (once those had been invented) in the 1960s and forward.

If one cannot be trusted to think and use tools, then by all means retreat to whatever corner looks safest. Be sure to show us the wheel by wheel weight scale readings with WD applied.

At least be consistent.