What factors Determine Tow Rating

[curtis reed]

Originally Posted by kdanner

If you look up the brake dimensions of a current half ton and then just a 10 year old 3/4 ton, you'll find the new truck has the larger brakes of the 2.

I was also going to point out how much better the brakes are now. The larger wheels on trucks now allow a larger diameter brake with a larger caliper than they used to have. Granted no argument can be made that they are equal to a 3/4 ton's brakes and suspension he isn't talking about pulling a 30' enclosed either.



Curtis

Originally Posted by kdanner

If you look up the brake dimensions of a current half ton and then just a 10 year old 3/4 ton, you'll find the new truck has the larger brakes of the 2.

Oh for sure. But, the new 2500/3500HD plus trucks also have bigger brake packages. If you are not going up big mountains and down the other side then yeah a light duty truck will work. I put safety first. Not $. You are asking a light duty truck to do the job of a Heavier duty truck. I like most guys on here have towed with lighter trucks. I like piece of mind. IMHO...

[Dan Fahey]

Originally Posted by Barry Polley

Oh for sure. But, the new 2500/3500HD plus trucks also have bigger brake packages. If you are not going up big mountains and down the other side then yeah a light duty truck will work. I put safety first. Not $. You are asking a light duty truck to do the job of a Heavier duty truck. I like most guys on here have towed with lighter trucks. I like piece of mind. IMHO...

That is why you pay attention to the Tow
and total
Total maximum gross vehicle weight.

One sleeper is the Chevy Blazer SS which is a great tow vehicle.
Has the Power, Trans, Brakes and Suspension to tow 6000 lb easily.
Don Compolito tows with one and seen several racers using them.

Also popular is the new Durango RT.

D

[John Kissel]

Trailblazer SS is a good truck we lived 191k with one, BUT, I would not want to tow with one, as wheelbase is kinda' short, rear air bags, elec. gas pedal, and throttle body, would not want to cooperate at the wrong time. Sure would be fun trying to tow with a bag that didn't want to take air, while the instrument panel announances reduced power due to someone not being happy. John Kissel

[6130]

Originally Posted by nhramnl

Jim is right on the money. I would venture to guess that there isn't, and won't be, anybody who says they've used both 1/2 and 3/4 tons pickups and would be completely satisfied with a 1/2 ton. I've used 2500 HD Chevys for decades and have never, in any situation, felt I had "too much truck" for the task. I think the real truth with people who say a 1/2 ton works fine as a trailer puller is that they either don't have, or don't want to spend, the extra money.

Well spoken.

[Greg Hill]

The new 1/2 ton pickups are stout. My son works for FCA and I think he told me the new 1500 ram with the right equipment could tow 12,000 lbs. There is no doubt that these trucks can handle an open trailer and race car in about any situation. That’s what the op wanted to ask about and those are the facts.

[Dan Fahey]

8 new Pickup Trucks


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[james schaechter]

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

[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.