What factors Determine Tow Rating

[kdanner]

Have to disagree completely, I wouldn't think twice about a modern half ton truck towing that amount of weight. They have way more brake now, way more tire which lets the brakes really work, ABS that actually works without locking up tires, way more gears in the trans, heavier duty trans, heavier duty rear axles, tow/haul modes for the trans that really help via engine braking, fantastic OEM trailer brake controllers, trailer tire pressure monitoring. More capable than what a 3/4 ton truck was not long ago. Now I wouldn't feel comfortable with over 6 tons behind one like they advertise them being capable of, but 3, oh yeah, they'll do that very well.

[6130]

Originally Posted by kdanner

Have to disagree completely, I wouldn't think twice about a modern half ton truck towing that amount of weight. They have way more brake now, way more tire which lets the brakes really work, ABS that actually works without locking up tires, way more gears in the trans, heavier duty trans, heavier duty rear axles, tow/haul modes for the trans that really help via engine braking, fantastic OEM trailer brake controllers, trailer tire pressure monitoring. More capable than what a 3/4 ton truck was not long ago. Now I wouldn't feel comfortable with over 6 tons behind one like they advertise them being capable of, but 3, oh yeah, they'll do that very well.

Modern 3/4-ton and one-ton trucks come with all of those things too.

Half-ton trucks may be better than they used to be in some ways, but half-ton trucks have never come with full-floating rear axles or load range "E" tires, and those things were standard on 3/4-ton trucks for many, many years.

Conversely, 3/4-ton trucks have never come on P-metric (passenger car) tires, and 3/4 ton trucks have never had their rear axles held in by something as flimsy as C-clips.

I don't have a dog in this fight but I know in the last 2 years we've towed 7K lbs. (24' enclosed trailer and car) with a very well equipped late-model GM 1/2 ton truck. We then sold that truck and bought a 3500HD DRW 4WD Duramax and towing the same set-up was night and day difference. I'm not even talking about the power either. The 1/2 was a constant white knuckle event with sway even with good weight distribution bars and a sway control kit. All of that disappeared with the one ton. Tow with a DRW truck one time and see if you ever go back.

[6130]

Originally Posted by Tar Heel

I don't have a dog in this fight but I know in the last 2 years we've towed 7K lbs. (24' enclosed trailer and car) with a very well equipped late-model GM 1/2 ton truck. We then sold that truck and bought a 3500HD DRW 4WD Duramax and towing the same set-up was night and day difference. I'm not even talking about the power either. The 1/2 was a constant white knuckle event with sway even with good weight distribution bars and a sway control kit. All of that disappeared with the one ton. Tow with a DRW truck one time and see if you ever go back.

Bingo.

[kdanner]

Originally Posted by 6130

Modern 3/4-ton and one-ton trucks come with all of those things too.

Half-ton trucks may be better than they used to be in some ways, but half-ton trucks have never come with full-floating rear axles or load range "E" tires, and those things were standard on 3/4-ton trucks for many, many years.

Conversely, 3/4-ton trucks have never come on P-metric (passenger car) tires, and 3/4 ton trucks have never had their rear axles held in by something as flimsy as C-clips.

No, they're not a floating axle, but in the case of a Ford for many years now they've been a 9.75" ring gear with 35 spline axles. I'm sure the other brands are comparable. They've got great big disk brakes and your comments about the axles breaking and coming out is just fearmongering, show me all of the examples of that actually happening. As for the tires, I just looked up specs on an 18 F150, I see OEM tires with a load rating of over 2500lbs each. More than adequate for what Dan wants to do.



The current "half tons" which are rated for payloads as high as 3270 and towing as high as 13200 will do this easily and safely. No, I wouldn't feel safe in one with my 30' tag in the wind even though the truck is rated high enough for it, but we're talking about Dan towing only 5800 lbs here.

[Kirk Morgan]

We just towed a 95 Mustang from Columbus Ohio to San Antonio TX with a 2016 F150 with a 5.0 engine and got 16.5 mph on the way back. Going thru Kentucky and Tennessee the truck drove very good. We traveled about 70 to 75 mph.

[Dan Fahey]

Originally Posted by kdanner

Have to disagree completely, I wouldn't think twice about a modern half ton truck towing that amount of weight. They have way more brake now, way more tire which lets the brakes really work, ABS that actually works without locking up tires, way more gears in the trans, heavier duty trans, heavier duty rear axles, tow/haul modes for the trans that really help via engine braking, fantastic OEM trailer brake controllers, trailer tire pressure monitoring. More capable than what a 3/4 ton truck was not long ago. Now I wouldn't feel comfortable with over 6 tons behind one like they advertise them being capable of, but 3, oh yeah, they'll do that very well.

Concur on this post...!
The newer trucks have really stepped up in towing performance.
Been watching lots of YouTube video about these newer trucks.

They tested the Denali Canyon (V6 & Diesel) and Durango SRT.
Towed them up and down a long mountain, called the Gauntlet.
They had no problems up or down the mountain.

My wagon has been beefed up, Class 3 hitch, Electric Brake.
Metco Lower control arms and front and rear SS bars.
Rebuilt the brakes and front suspension.
Moser Street performance axles and new bearings.
Tahoe springs, airbags, electric pump.
Tires are Nitto 275/50/17's with a load rating of 2200 lb per tire.
All other brands hover around 1900lbs.
My set up has weight distribution bars and forgot to install them once and had no sway problems.
I love the Featherlite trailer, very smooth around a curve.
Trailer and car weigh between 5700-5800lbs

I do not have any problems braking with the Caprice and Trailer.
Drives nicely with no twitchy behavior.
Though do drive with a high SA (situation awareness).
In wet weather I am a lot more careful, rarely exceed 65 mph.

D

Originally Posted by Dan Fahey

Concur on this post...!
The newer trucks have really stepped up in towing performance.
Been watching lots of YouTube video about these newer trucks.

They tested the Denali Canyon (V6 & Diesel) and Durango SRT.
Towed them up and down a long mountain, called the Gauntlet.
They had no problems up or down the mountain.

My wagon has been beefed up, Class 3 hitch, Electric Brake.
Metco Lower control arms and front and rear SS bars.
Rebuilt the brakes and front suspension.
Moser Street performance axles and new bearings.
Tahoe springs, airbags, electric pump.
Tires are Nitto 275/50/17's with a load rating of 2200 lb per tire.
All other brands hover around 1900lbs.
My set up has weight distribution bars and forgot to install them once and had no sway problems.
I love the Featherlite trailer, very smooth around a curve.
Trailer and car weigh between 5700-5800lbs

I do not have any problems braking with the Caprice and Trailer.
Drives nicely with no twitchy behavior.
Though do drive with a high SA (situation awareness).
In wet weather I am a lot more careful, rarely exceed 65 mph.

D

Clear up your private messages my friend! Tried to PM you back but your box is full.

It was great to hear from you as well. What are the plans for the SS now that Pure Stock has changed?

[Dan Fahey]

Originally Posted by Tar Heel

Clear up your private messages my friend! Tried to PM you back but your box is full.

It was great to hear from you as well. What are the plans for the SS now that Pure Stock has changed?

Private message done.

As for Pure Stock. Going to stay for another year.
Have the Stocker Cam and Springs from Bullet cams.
This year upgraded the Heads with better valves and fresh springs.
Made a few adjustments and managed a 12.74 best in warm weather.
Few more mods, enough to run K/SA index as a Pure Stocker.

Once season is over add a Roll Bar and Harness.
Upgrade the 10 bolt with Ford ends, better spool/axles and 4.88’s.
Install an 8 gallon tank.
Enough to run stock legally and safely.
Or run the Association races as Pure Stocker

If enough time freshen the block, add the new cam and springs.
Will freshen the trans and add a converter to match the cam.
Going to stick with 4L60E for now.

Still finishing up the 1969 Impala which may be set up as a Biscayne.
Going to be painted a medium blue with light flake.
Will have a nice graphic on it called Biscayne Bay.
This was my old Stocker from the 70’s and 80’s.
It should be light enough to run J/SA.

D

[MR DERBY CITY]

Just take a stroll through the pits at a local points meet. That will answer all your questions regarding 1/2 ton pickups. Do you want to save money,.....or save your life....??