Share Pics of People Hauling or Towing Something Wrong

[Industrial Toys]

I also think, where you travel should make a difference, but it doesn't legally. To tow something overweight or pushing the limits of your vehicle on the Interstate is different than being on secondary roads, in my opinion.

 

[BigBlue1]

I can't make out the model on that Bobcat skid loader, but it looks a good deal smaller than that one I borrowed last week . The one I borrowed was a New Holland C232, it's a big soon of a gun. I think it's the second from the biggest NH that is made.

That picture probably was one of the smaller ones we've rented over time. It was a T590, with operating weight right around 8000#. Others we've used (and I've hauled) include a T180 (7400#), T300 (9700#), Deere 323D (8500#). All with 1500# brush mower. Didn't have any pics of the others to link to.

Your NH is indeed a big one. Pretty much like the T300.

Rob

 

[BigBlue1]

I also think, where you travel should make a difference, but it doesn't legally. To tow something overweight or pushing the limits of your vehicle on the Interstate is different than being on secondary roads, in my opinion.

Yes, speed, terrain and road conditions make a huge difference in towing safely. Going 45mph on a back road when dry and flat is easier to do safely than 65mph on mountain roads in winter conditions. Or any road in winter conditions. Common sense plays a large part in choosing what can be done safely. I guess that's why there are laws, because not everyone has common sense.

Rob

 

[4570Man]

Here’s my entry.

 

[LD48750]

I understand how the GVWR & towing limits are set to keep you from killing people and/or breaking your vehicle.
The manufacturer knows and the government backs them up.

Can someone explain to me how just a change in axle ratio can affect how much weight you can put in the bed of a pick up?
How does changing from a standard transmission to an automatic affects the amount of weight you can put in the bed of a pick up?

Transmission change affect the amount you can tow?
How about engine change ?

Or ..... do you think rather then SAFETY concerns it is a performance concern?
Not *IF* the truck will pull a loaded trailer up a hill but how FAST it will do it?

 

[Rock Crawler]

With respect to a Ram 1500, they all have the same frame, brakes and axles. But you can get the bigger engine, lower gears, engine oil cooler, larger transmission cooler and different spring rates. As you do this and you move from a base V6 to a Hemi with Max Tow you travel from a 7,000 lb towing ability to an almost 11,000 towing ability.

Mine is not at that peak number because mine is a crew cab with the most loaded leather interior and all options... It all adds weight and reduces payload and towing maximum limits.

I made sure that my build was as much towing capability as I could get because my Jeep and trailer are in the 8,000 area not including all of the spare parts, coolers with food and drinks and my tools... plus me and my wife.

So the limits can vary greatly on the same frame by adjusting the complete build out while you are ordering the truck.

 

[aeblank]

It's a combination, for sure. Toss in some licensing laws and what other vehicles are in the lineup.... And engineering swag (and I am one, though thankfully not automotive).

Also, some of the things you listed have different weights. Like 4x4 vs not, or the transmissions physical weight.

 

[Rock Crawler]

It's a combination, for sure. Toss in some licensing laws and what other vehicles are in the lineup.... And engineering swag (and I am one, though thankfully not automotive).

Also, some of the things you listed have different weights. Like 4x4 vs not, or the transmissions physical weight.

Correct, if you want the most you would get a regular cab, long bed (wheelbase), big engine/transmission, HD coolers on everything, lowest gears and stripped down features. That is going to be that mythical 11,000 lb towing capacity half ton Ram 1500.

I think Ford and Chevy can spec out a half ton up around 12,000 lbs towing capability.

Don't quote me on it, but I think that the Ford has the highest potential towing build in this current time period. I'm sure that the 3 companies hop scotch over each other every few years.

 

[DavesTractor]

I understand how the GVWR & towing limits are set to keep you from killing people and/or breaking your vehicle.
The manufacturer knows and the government backs them up.

Can someone explain to me how just a change in axle ratio can affect how much weight you can put in the bed of a pick up?
How does changing from a standard transmission to an automatic affects the amount of weight you can put in the bed of a pick up?

Transmission change affect the amount you can tow?
How about engine change ?

Or ..... do you think rather then SAFETY concerns it is a performance concern?
Not *IF* the truck will pull a loaded trailer up a hill but how FAST it will do it?

I think the manufacturers GCWR is a desire by the manufacturer that you not break the truck and that the truck would perform for you. On the new Ram 3500, changing to a 4:10 rear axle gives you about 5000 lb higher GCWR.

As far as I know in California as far as the commercial DOT type CHP officers are concerned, the axle ratings on your door jamb tag are the big deal. When we get checked with our 3/4 and 1 tons, they look at axles ratings and then make sure the tires are up to or exceed the axle ratings. They never ever ask what the manufacturers recommended gross combined number is. That isn't on the tag anyway.

 

[BigBlue1]

I understand how the GVWR & towing limits are set to keep you from killing people and/or breaking your vehicle.
The manufacturer knows and the government backs them up.

Can someone explain to me how just a change in axle ratio can affect how much weight you can put in the bed of a pick up?
How does changing from a standard transmission to an automatic affects the amount of weight you can put in the bed of a pick up?

Transmission change affect the amount you can tow?
How about engine change ?

Or ..... do you think rather then SAFETY concerns it is a performance concern?
Not *IF* the truck will pull a loaded trailer up a hill but how FAST it will do it?

I'm no expert, but I can speculate on the Internet with the best of them...

Beyond following laws and satisfying insurance, the rest comes down to physics and economics. Manufacturers set tow ratings and payload ratings based on longevity and capability testing or how their parts have been spec'd. A certain engine, driveline, and chassis can manage to achieve a certain longevity and performance capability with a load when it fits into their specs. Can you haul or pull more than the rating? Sure, but your vehicle might wear out faster or fail faster. Manufacturers want to avoid warranty claims and preserve quality reputation so they ensure that how they rate vehicles will generally meet those goals.

Changing axle ratios changes the amount of torque required to propel the vehicle. Torque relates to stress on parts and wear. Vehicle plus a payload has a mass that takes a particular force to move it and stop it and that force comes from engine power transferred through the transmission and converted to force on the ground with torque through the axle and tires. Torque and stress on components changes when you do things like change an axle ratio. A particular engine and transmission can handle moving a load for the vehicle expected life with one ratio but if you change the ratio it might cause failures earlier. When it comes to automatic vs. manual transmissions then you have to consider things like power losses due to the fluid dynamics in an auto trans, weight of the transmissions, cooling factors placed on the vehicle's cooling system, etc. Every change in a component changes the total vehicle performance in some way and the manufacturer has taken that into account in their formulas. As I said above, all of this is independent of the legalities and liabilities that restrict things. But manufacturers make those assessments and then decide on the ratings. I suspect they are not above changing the ratings to best their competitors even if no actual component changes happen, up until their warranty claim costs rise or quality reputation falls enough to make it not worthwhile as compared to sales.

One thing that is fairly consistent is that manufacturers and laws always play it safe. Exceeding any prescribed limits by a small amount will probably never cause an immediate disaster. The further you get from the prescribed limits the more likelihood for problems. So pulling 11,500# with a truck rated for 10,200 once in a while on good roads is, in my opinion, OK to do. Pulling 20,000# probably not so much.

Rob