What factors Determine Tow Rating

[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.