Factory Suspension on our Trailering Vehicle

[T-290]

Re: Factory Suspension on our Trailering Vehicle

DJohns19,<br />Yep, I'm learning the meaning of "boat",A hole in the water in which we pour our money into! But than again what else would we be doing with it!! You do it til you get it right! I will be removing those over springs ASAP<br />Thanks also for your input and concerns.. T-290

 

[6MISFITZ]

Re: Factory Suspension on our Trailering Vehicle

Any time T-290.<br />DITTO EVERYTHING on SAFETY both on land, and on the water! <br /><br />My boat is an 87 BLiner 2150 bowrider bought in 88 and weighs in around 2500lbs with base 3.0L O.M.C I/O but NO fuel. Add the trailer fuel and my (boring by now) list of supplies and I took a trip to a weigh scale last year after I bought it, to verify all the numbers for my peice of mind. I also did this so that I could check for proper tongue weight too before we left on a trip.<br /><br />I started towing race cars around back in 89 and accumulated most of towing knowledge from more than 10 years ago. I used a 1 ton extended Ford van with a 460 and then after 91 had a 1 ton 4x4 extended cab GMC with a 454. Those trucks were rated with 10,000lb hitches and the race car and trailer weighed in at just over 9000 lbs fully loaded with tires, spares and fuel rigs. Yes they were properly hitched as the team pricipal was very safety conscious too. <br /><br />Now a 10,000 lbs trailer rating is more then those vehicle weighed, so then that was more than the 100% rule but way UNDER the GCWR and I assure you this was 100% LEGAL. This left some payload room for equipment and tools inside those vehicles.<br /><br />Some of the Boat and Trailer and truck magazines test the big tow brutes out there for their readers and they hook up 10,000 lbs loads! Do you think they would do that if it were illegal?<br />Numbers are there to understand for everyone's SAFETY not exagerated from thin air. I was a little disappointed somebody else would suggest that. I did post a string on the 85% issue but that person did not join the discussion. Sorry, that I am long winded on this issue but I have towed for more than a few years with a No ticket, No accident record. Accidents, I may not be able to control if it isn't my fault but I do try to account for the variables and the maintenance on both towed and tower.<br /><br />AS our vans are very similar, I am sure that you have more than enough van for the trailer based on all the numbers, just some of the extra van payload needs to adjusted safely if possible to the trailer.<br /><br />If you are unsure about something then this is absolutely the BEST Forum to ASK a question anywhere. <br /><br />Regards, <br />Mike.

 

[blifsey]

Re: Factory Suspension on our Trailering Vehicle

I hate to kick a dead horse...but<br /><br />Mike Fitzgerald, Are you suggesting that the "85% rule" refers to tow vehicle weight or tow capacity. Whenever someone has mentioned the "85% rule" in reference to tow capacity, you talk about a vehicle towing more than "100% of its weight". In the thread Define towing capacity, Mumblerone stated he towed 7700lbs with an SUV rated to tow 8500lbs. Chuckb1 then stated that he was towing 91% of his capacity and asked why he wasn't following the "85% rule". Next message, you started talking about 100% of vehicle weight, not towing capacity. I consider the 85% rule to refer to tow capacity. How do you define it? <br /><br />FYI, tow capacity in the manual for 1992 F Series w/5L, 3.55 gears & auto tranny is 7,700lbs. Don't have curb weight of truck in front of me, but it is surely less than tow capacity of 7700lb which would also "break" your 100% rule. I find interesting that the manual is for F150, 250 and 350 and it doesn't deliniate between the 3 for GCWR for same engine, tow package, tranny and gears. Also, the GCWR for for 7.5L w/5.13 gears is 26,000lbs or 20,000lb trailer wt capacity. Sorry this got so looooong.<br /><br />Thanks,<br />BL...

 

[6MISFITZ]

Re: Factory Suspension on our Trailering Vehicle

Blifesy, you got the name close but I got the gist.<br /> <br />I took issue with ChuckB1's comment that I was endagering my self and others on the highway. He gave no reason as to this conclusion other than my trailer/boat was approx 22 feet. He then states on another post that an suv is over the 85% rule and also not safe or something to that effect.<br /><br />I started my own string on just that topic to find out what YOU GUYS think IS the 85% RULE .<br />I was not trying to give you your defenition.<br />85% is a little ambiguous. I did not know what your FORUM's including Chuckb1's defenition is? <br /><br />My trailer weight is less than 85% whether it be calculated as 85% of G.C(combined).W.R., OR 85% of gross vehicle weight, OR 85% of maximum tow rating? Every way I do the math I am less than 85% rule. See my point? <br /><br />When I talk about the 100% rule, I was talking only about the trailer weight in relation to the vehicle weight. Please update my definition if the rule of thumb is 85% = tow rating. I would much preffer to be on the same point.<br /><br />I made specific references to actual figures from my van's owners manual with regards to my towing. I tried to relate my towing situations by saying all the vehicles and trailers I have used were PROPERLY EQUIPPED.<br />I have legally towed more with other vehicles in the past as have many others. I do not try to promote any overloading or unsafe action regarding towing. If I did I would expect major rebuking by ADMIN. and all of you. <br />I am not trying to talk for the SuV owner. He seemed to understand the figures in his situation which is a GOOD THING. Most people don't understand what these (GCWR, GVWR, max tow rating, weight platform hitch) mean or what they are or how they can be achieved.<br />I asked for T-290 trailer capacity figures to make sure some weight could safely be moved to the trailer.<br /><br />I am not looking to break any rule safety or otherwise, just the correct defenition. If anything I am a little envyous of your tow rating Blifsey, maybe I do need a pickup and then something a little bigger to tow!!! <br /><br />I enjoy the open discussion allowed by this forum but there was no discussion as to why I am unsafe on ANY RULE or Reason and T290 did not need a bigger van for a 1400lb trailer.<br />Chuck may be right on something but, tow numbers are not garbage. <br /><br />Point dropped, its late. I will check for responses tomorrow. <br />Thanks everyone,<br />Mike.

 

[blifsey]

Re: Factory Suspension on our Trailering Vehicle

Thanks Mike FitzPatrick (did a copy/paste that time to be sure I got it right) for explaining your definitions to me.<br /><br />BL...