What factors Determine Tow Rating

[Ed Wright]

Originally Posted by james schaechter

So Dan, what are you going to buy? We want a road test report! LOL

James, it likely won't be what the knowledgeable, experienced racers he asked have recommend. He always spends a couple of days telling people what the correct answer is, when he asks for advice.

Not likely many that have towed with both a 1/2 ton & 3/4 ton would prefer the 1/2 ton. There is much more to it than brakes. Go to an NHRA race (not talking local bracket races) and see how many are towing with a 1/2 ton. Much more to it than brakes, people that have towed with both know that. Maybe the wind never blows where Dan lives & races. He is also trying to race a very heavy car.

[Dave Gantz]

Dan, don't take offense, your questions always seem to be looking for the lest expensive solution. As Ed said, then you try to convince all of your advisors that they are wrong.

It's easy for me to spend someone else's money, but the obvious solution is to get something that will do the job as safely as possible, for your sake and everyone else's around you.

I drove 1.3 million safe miles in a tractor trailer. It was always more than capable of doing the job, in all kinds of conditions. (A very important aspect.) I don't know if I could say the same if I drove 1.3 million miles in a borderline safely loaded 1/2 ton truck with trailer.

[Ronnie Hamlin]

When (not if) you get into an emergency or panic situation, you will be thankful if you have more vehicle than you need for what you're pulling.

[Ed Wright]

A lot of us have been there.

[Frank B.]

Post #26 he said adding 3.73 gears and maybe new convertor to his impala wagon. That does not sound like anyone getting a new truck

[Ed Wright]

Originally Posted by Frank B.

Post #26 he said adding 3.73 gears and maybe new convertor to his impala wagon. That does not sound like anyone getting a new truck

No more than he has raced, or traveled to race his IHRA "Pure Stocker", he already knows more than the rest of us. LOL

[Dan Fahey]

Originally Posted by Frank B.

Post #26 he said adding 3.73 gears and maybe new convertor to his impala wagon. That does not sound like anyone getting a new truck

You are right!
Until buying one of these $70000-80000 beasts.
The Hot Rodder in me going to fix up what I have.
My wagon has been beefed up to tow long distances with a trailer.
It is safe and learning what really works.

Had a recent accident
Where a nut took out my side of the wagon in a two lane left turn.
I was in the outside lane.

Parts are becoming a problem as the wagon becomes more of a classic.
Front doors are hard to find and rear wagon doors a lot tougher.
Wagon will get fixed. But time to start searching.
Plus my neck is still sore.

Have been looking at enclosed trailers.
This requires a whole new set of considerations.
Especially dealing and understanding wind shear !

Here is what I have learned.
Just bought Hughes Towing Converter.
Love its features as it is Designed to operate cooler than a Stock one.

There are other towing converters with a bit more stall.
Moves the torque curve up a bit but adds heat.
The Hughes Towing Converter Stall is slightly larger and tighter.
Specs say it flows the trans fluid better to reduce heat.
So will see how this combination works.

The current towing converter and 3.08’s work great over mountains.
It has a bit more stall than the stock converter.
But the 3.73s and new Converter will reduce strain on the cooling systems.
Interestingly gas mileage for towing will not be impacted.
Unloaded fuel mileage will suffer but rarely for towing.

Trucks are geared to get decent non loaded/towing fuel mileage.
Because 90% of their use is Unloaded.
Here more gear and tighter converter would work for distance Towing.

The rear squats couple inches when loaded, using up the GVWR.
Easily fixed adding airbags and electric pump.
This also helps front end geometry reducing any white knuckle feeling.
Also improves GVRW and CVWR.

So for all the bluster here.
Trucks still require specialized upgrades for long distance towing.
Local and highway sprints are not an issue.

So if a person tows with an unprepared truck and had a bad experience!
Well...fix it!

D