Exceeding your tow rating... a thought.
09-27-2005 | 07:27 PM
#22
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From: frankenmuth michigan
Re: Exceeding your tow rating... a thought.
The thing that surprizes me is the fact a 3500 duramax dually,2500 8.1 avalanche and 2500hd 8.1 & duramax are all rated to TOW THE SAME AMOUNT! I recently had a argument with a guy who insisted everything was heavier duty on his 3500 duramax dually then my 2500 hd,he just couldn't believe they both use the same 11.5 inch ring and pinion,same size brakes,same transmission,frame,radiator etc. The only real difference is the overload springs on rear and extra set of tires,slightly narrower rear axle housing, Smitty
09-27-2005 | 09:45 PM
#24
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Re: Exceeding your tow rating... a thought.
It's a class IV, but I'm probably right on the bubble. Should consider a V? Class IV is rated at 12,000.
Originally Posted by Sydwayz
Dukenrock, remember that you need to check the ratings on the factory hitch. Its probably only a Class-III hitch.
Clay, if your are going to get into the arena of a Top Gun, you are at MINIMUM going to need a 2500HD with the 8.1L or Duramax. Remember, fuel is 6lbs/gallon. Your trailer is going to be at least 1250-1500lbs and couple that with tools, coolers, gear, etc, it adds up FAST. I have driven the higher HP small-blocks from GM. The 6.0 with 345HP is available in the Denalis and Escalades. While it does have a decent HP rating, it does not have the torque numbers with it. Those HP ratings come VERY high in the RPM range. When you drop the pedal to make a pass, even NOT towing, it has to wind up to a good 4500+ rpm to scoot for a pass. That's just a fact with a small-blocks, which translates to less fuel mileage, a lot harder worked engine, and more apt to grenade when run at such rpms.
Clay, if your are going to get into the arena of a Top Gun, you are at MINIMUM going to need a 2500HD with the 8.1L or Duramax. Remember, fuel is 6lbs/gallon. Your trailer is going to be at least 1250-1500lbs and couple that with tools, coolers, gear, etc, it adds up FAST. I have driven the higher HP small-blocks from GM. The 6.0 with 345HP is available in the Denalis and Escalades. While it does have a decent HP rating, it does not have the torque numbers with it. Those HP ratings come VERY high in the RPM range. When you drop the pedal to make a pass, even NOT towing, it has to wind up to a good 4500+ rpm to scoot for a pass. That's just a fact with a small-blocks, which translates to less fuel mileage, a lot harder worked engine, and more apt to grenade when run at such rpms.
09-29-2005 | 05:07 PM
#25
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From: Troy, Mich
Re: Exceeding your tow rating... a thought.
Originally Posted by Sydwayz
I keep seeing all these crazy stories and pictures of folks pulling the Space Shuttle behind their S-10 pickup, and like comparisons.
While at a store's parking lot on my way to the lake the other day, some woman verbally accosted me due to my boat and where I was planning on taking it; a lake she felt my boat did not belong in part due to a recent fatal accident. My point is, she made a horrible statement of "It was just a matter of time before y'all killed someone." (At that point I lost my temper, but that's not important.)
However, just seeing what I mentioned above about those exceeding your tow ratings... it IS a matter of time before something BAD does happen, and we performance/power boaters are going to get another bad wrap. Take a moment to look up the labeled rating of your VEHICLE, and your HITCH (receiver, drawbar, ball, and coupler); as those ratings are on there for a reason. Learn what WC/Weight Carrying means, and what WD/Weight Distributing is, and make sure you are setup correctly. We can sit here and debate who has the strongest truck all day long, however, when something DOES go wrong; blaming the POS truck, etc is not going to help. Your insurance company is going to deny your entire claim if you are not setup correctly, and you are liable to get sued for everything that is yours when you mess up due to negligence.
And yeah, that was a soapbox speech, but needed to be said. Done.
While at a store's parking lot on my way to the lake the other day, some woman verbally accosted me due to my boat and where I was planning on taking it; a lake she felt my boat did not belong in part due to a recent fatal accident. My point is, she made a horrible statement of "It was just a matter of time before y'all killed someone." (At that point I lost my temper, but that's not important.)
However, just seeing what I mentioned above about those exceeding your tow ratings... it IS a matter of time before something BAD does happen, and we performance/power boaters are going to get another bad wrap. Take a moment to look up the labeled rating of your VEHICLE, and your HITCH (receiver, drawbar, ball, and coupler); as those ratings are on there for a reason. Learn what WC/Weight Carrying means, and what WD/Weight Distributing is, and make sure you are setup correctly. We can sit here and debate who has the strongest truck all day long, however, when something DOES go wrong; blaming the POS truck, etc is not going to help. Your insurance company is going to deny your entire claim if you are not setup correctly, and you are liable to get sued for everything that is yours when you mess up due to negligence.
And yeah, that was a soapbox speech, but needed to be said. Done.
1. The woman felt high performance boats do not belong on her lake.
2. Towing over your capacity
The first is a tough issue and a stigma we must avoid. The woman's comments remind me of what people think of gun owners. Simple rules of boating safely notwhithstanding, we must realize that having a high performance boat puts you into a class where you WILL be judged to a higher standard. If as a boater you cannot accept this than BUY A BAYLINER. You must also constantly remind yourself when behind the wheel of an 8,000 lb plus missle not to get lulled into a false sense of security. Stay away from the shore & other boaters when operating at high speed, obey speed limits, etc.
The second issue, is don't do it unless you are prepared to get stuck with the consequences. I.E if some little #%$@ing car pulls out in front of you and you smash into them YOU COULD be held at fault for unsafe operation (over limit).
Wannabe
Last edited by wannabe; 09-29-2005 at 05:15 PM.
09-29-2005 | 07:16 PM
#26
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From: Pitman NJ
Re: Exceeding your tow rating... a thought.
Here is another thought. If your registered gross vehicle weight is lower than your actual towing weight can you get an over weight ticket or even worse in the event of an accident be declined by your insurance? I know that commercial trucks can get over weight tickets.
Mike
Mike
09-29-2005 | 10:07 PM
#27
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From: Worldwide
Re: Exceeding your tow rating... a thought.
duke,
http://www.putnamhitch.com/ can probably hook you up with a Class-V (as I have) for less than $250 bucks. I'd spring for it. I bet your Class-IV hitch is rated for 12K lbs. ONLY with a Weight Distribution setup. Weight Carrying is probably significantly less.
wannabe,
Thanks for your thoughts. They emulate mine to the T.
Cool Trips,
I dunno--good question. I wish we had our resident Occifer to update us with an answer. If he sees this thread, and wishes to answer me via PM or email, I will post the reply.
http://www.putnamhitch.com/ can probably hook you up with a Class-V (as I have) for less than $250 bucks. I'd spring for it. I bet your Class-IV hitch is rated for 12K lbs. ONLY with a Weight Distribution setup. Weight Carrying is probably significantly less.
wannabe,
Thanks for your thoughts. They emulate mine to the T.
Cool Trips,
I dunno--good question. I wish we had our resident Occifer to update us with an answer. If he sees this thread, and wishes to answer me via PM or email, I will post the reply.
Last edited by Sydwayz; 09-29-2005 at 10:12 PM.
09-29-2005 | 10:18 PM
#28
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From: 1000 Islands
Re: Exceeding your tow rating... a thought.
remember "class" means little or nothing, and has little or no connection to the actual weight ratings.
You want weight ratings of the hitch in lbs.
My Putnam XDR was $180 or less. It has big WC rating.
You want weight ratings of the hitch in lbs.
My Putnam XDR was $180 or less. It has big WC rating.
09-30-2005 | 12:00 AM
#30
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From: Boyne City, Mi.
Re: Exceeding your tow rating... a thought.
You guys should stop playing with your little trucks and get one of these. 160,000 lb. GVW in Michigan, 12 3/4" X1/2" frame 14,000 lb steer axle, 44,000 lb rear axles, 625 hp. Cat @2050 ft.lb.tq. 18 speed trans with a .62 in the last overdrive, and 3.36 rears. You could pull that boat in post #2 (and 10 others) up Lovland Pass at over 125 mph and stop it going down the other side without using the trailer brakes. $175,000 new or buy a used one with 200,000- 300,000 very reliable miles left in it for less then a new pickup and get more MPG while towing. JB
