How to decide on required towing capacity

[TravG]

Most posts in this forum seem to compare specific engines, trucks, hitches, etc. Taking the brand out of it, I'd like to hear about your experience towing. Is the listed towing capacity of a vehicle something to trust (assuming you know what you're doing, correct hitch, brakes, etc)?

For example, if your vehicle is rated at 10,000 lbs towing capacity, can you really tow a 10,000 lb boat? Considering the fact you will be going up a steep incline on the boat ramp, perhaps not. If this is true, then what percentage under the rated towing capacity should you expect to achieve? Perhaps that 10,000 lb capable vehicle can only tow 9,000 lbs of boat, trailer, gear, etc? What margin of safety should you look for?

What do you think? How does 4x4 play a role in this decision?
Thanks!
Travis

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: How to decide on required towing capacity

Most guys on this trailer forum are not comfortable hauling a 16 foot tinny with anything less than an F250 4x4......

 

[1fishbone]

Re: How to decide on required towing capacity

Yes, you can tow the rating...how long will the vehicle last is another question.
Some manufactures 'over-rate' their tow capacity!

Those fancy tow ads on TV are just that.

Is the tow vehicle new? Or like mine 150000 miles.
I try to use 'around' half the tow capacity.

As far as brakes, my state says 4000# I need brakes.
My rule...3000#

4x4 is a plus.
I've towed a 20'er with a Monte Carlo...never an issue, I even launched/retrieved off a gravel river bed.

This is very 'open' question and you're going to get a lot of open answers.

 

[Cannondale]

Re: How to decide on required towing capacity

While the max rating of a vehicle for towing can be done, you have to remember to take into consideration how the tow vehicle is equipped....with the proper towing equipment as recommended by the manufacturer.

Then, there is the question of balancing the towing capacity with the GCWR....gross combination weight recommendation. (That's the combination of vehicle's weight/load and the trailer's weight and load.)

Then, as with all trailering loads but esp. extreme loads like you postulated....a 10K# load, you also have to take into consideration what the addition of the trailer's hitch weight in relation to the vehicle's RGAWR, or rear gross axle weight rating, and the vehicle's GVWR, gross vehicle weight rating.


So, sure, you can tow 10K# trailer load with a properly equipped tow vehicle (you'll be in something like a Silverado 2500HD or larger truck), but towing its max. trailering load will decrease the load the vehicle can carry. (Most max. trailering capacities are rated with no load in the vehicle other than the driver. Add passengers, junk, etc., and you'll most likely lose some towing capacity.)

As for 4X4, most generally they reduce the towing capacities of the towing vehicle, as do manual transmissions.

For example, identically equipped Chevy Silverado trucks, one with 2WD and one with 4WD, the 4WD will typically lose approx. 300# of towing capacity compared to the 2WD truck.

Good guide by Chevy for their vehicles.....I'd guess other manufacturers have the same sort of guide:

http://www.chevrolet.com/assets/pdf/en/overview/11_Trailering_Guide.pdf

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: How to decide on required towing capacity

Yes I trust the towing capacity of a vehicle most of the time, do I trust my sister towing 10,000 lbs with my truck, heck no. There are nearly as many variables in what a vehicle can tow as there are car types, everything is clear as mud you know? I have a one ton dodge with a cummins diesel, theres only one other person that can tow with my truck and thats my 19 yr old daughter who is driving my old one ton Ford Power Stroke. I didn't like the way the Ford hauled my camper so I added airbags which also allowed it more towing capacity. I have hauled more then 15,000 lb loads with both trucks through the Rockies, but I am comfortable doing it I have a truck that is comfortable doing it but there are people on the road that shouldn't be towing a skateboard!

I think the first step to towing big loads is learning how to drive! sounds stupid don't it but you see it every day in normal traffic You can learn alot by watching the big rigs also, why are they braking, black smoke means he has dropped the hammer. Looking way ahead of the car in front of you and anticipating traffic and the road, hills up and down, where other highways merge always create a choke point.

If you can learn to be a good driver then you could probably get away with towing a 26' boat with a ford ranger provided you dont have to go uphill to far. Thats why I think so many here as tx says want people to have a big truck, since they don't know the person they go into safe mode....yes you need a peterbuilt to tow that 16' bayliner!" But staying within the tow ratings of the vehicle is the only starting point we can all agree with, Yes a BMW X5 has a tow capacity of say 5000 lbs(not sure just an example) but do you really want to tow a 5000 lb boat trailer combo 400 miles? I hope you brought valium your gonna need it! I have no issues towing to the capacity rating of my vehicle, then if I don't like something say I wish I had more braking on big hills ok I need a exhaust brake. I don't hesitate to add things to make towing more comfortable, but I tow to Powell 2 times a year from Denver and thats 500 miles.

I live in Colorado so 4X4 is a no brainer.
Thats my take

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: How to decide on required towing capacity

LippCJ7 hit it as squarely on the head as can be. It's about the driver, not the rating. I towed 13,000 lbs of lumber 120 miles once with a 3/4 ton light duty truck that was only rated for 9000. Stupid, probably. But I knew the route, knew my trailer, and knew my truck. I took it easy, kept to routes that would keep me away from traffic and hills, put on a good radio station and took my time. The ratings are there as a guide line, and you are smart to back off from them as a general rule - but don't forget it's the nut behind the wheel that makes or breaks a successful tow (or a trip to the grocery store).

 

[Silvertip]

Re: How to decide on required towing capacity

Towing weight reduction between 4WD and 2WD is due to the added weight of the transfer case, extra drive shaft and heavier front axle components on the 4WD. What has not been mentioned with towing capacities is that should you have an accident and an attorney finds out you exceeded the manufacturers tow rating, guess what happens! It won't matter whose fault it was. You will lose!

 

[H20Rat]

Re: How to decide on required towing capacity

Considering the fact you will be going up a steep incline on the boat ramp, perhaps not.

surprisingly, the actual load/unloading is the LEAST important factor. It doesn't take much vehicle to pull out a heavy boat, especially if you have a good ramp. My little kia sportage in 4x4 low could probably pull out 10k of boat if the ramp was dry pavement.

stopping on the interstate when someone pulls in front of you, THAT is what you size the vehicle for.

 

[HollaGeo]

Re: How to decide on required towing capacity

If you're talking about towing 10,000 pounds, then you should really contact Ford, Chevy or whatever you drive. That's a huge load and can cause serious damage if not properly equipped.

 

[64osby]

Re: How to decide on required towing capacity

Travg,

I have had many different tow vehicles. I still have 4 trailers not including my boats. Each vehicle had/has a different capacity rating. I had a 4 Runner that towed better than a Ford Excursion, even though the Excursion was rated at higher capacity.

The best tow vehicle I ever had was a Ford F350 Crew Cab Long Box 4x4 Turbo Diesel. I could tow 5,000lbs and you would not know it was there.

My take is, getting a bigger or higher capacity vehicle is like raising the water level. It lowers the stumps and sand bars. If indeed your towing 10,000 then get a vehicle above that 12 -13,000. If your towing 5,000 and you have a matching vehicle then you need to make sure the set up is perfect to have a good ride. Otherwise its white knucle time.

As a general rule, longer wheel base, larger engines and a beefy tranny will always tow better. My .02.

 

[Pez Vela]

Re: How to decide on required towing capacity

Is the listed towing capacity of a vehicle something to trust (assuming you know what you're doing, correct hitch, brakes, etc)?

How does 4x4 play a role in this decision?

Yes. Provides extra capability for difficult situations.

 

[spdracr39]

Re: How to decide on required towing capacity

Staying at or below the tow limit also increases the lifespan of the tow vehicle.

Definately keep in mind that just because you can go doesn't mean you can stop.

And when figuring your load don't go by the sticker weight on the boat because capacity includes passengers in the vehicle, boat, gear in boat and truck, fuel in boat and truck, and the trailer weight.