SFandH
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towing capacity
I'll be buying a V6 SUV soon and am looking at towing capacities. Two of the models I'm looking at are pretty much identical in terms of size, weight,
horsepower, and torque. One has a 3500 pound max tow weight and the other 5000.
I'm wondering why the difference. Does anybody know how the max tow weights are determined?
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4x4abc
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compare the axle differential gear ratios
Harald Pietschmann
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fishbuck
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Maximum Gross Vehicle Weight difference probably.
Check the spec..
"A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for." J. A. Shedd.
A clever person solves a problem. A wise person avoids it. – Albert Einstein
"Life's a Beach... and then you Fly!" Fishbuck
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AKgringo
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Because of good gearing, my little Kia can tow way more weight than it can safely stop! On my property, I sometimes tow a 350 gallon water tank on a
trailer, on fairly steep terrain. I would never take it on the road with no trailer brakes!
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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fishbuck
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The diffenrence between an F-250 and F-350 is the springs.
More springs on the 350.
A load that crushes and F-250 just settles an F-350 onto the "helper" springs.
And also why it is rock hard empty.
[Edited on 7-3-2019 by fishbuck]
"A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for." J. A. Shedd.
A clever person solves a problem. A wise person avoids it. – Albert Einstein
"Life's a Beach... and then you Fly!" Fishbuck
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fishbuck
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Also determines the max tung weight
"A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for." J. A. Shedd.
A clever person solves a problem. A wise person avoids it. – Albert Einstein
"Life's a Beach... and then you Fly!" Fishbuck
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SFandH
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That's an idea. I'll see if I can find those. However, both are front wheel drive, not like the old, simple days with a driveshaft going into a
rear-end differential.
I imagine braking capability comes into play also. Maybe the more capable car has larger rotors/pads. I dunno.
Fishbuck, I understand the tongue weight issues. I'm more concerned about the loaded trailer weight.
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fishbuck
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Should be related.
"A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for." J. A. Shedd.
A clever person solves a problem. A wise person avoids it. – Albert Einstein
"Life's a Beach... and then you Fly!" Fishbuck
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Lee
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Yes, GVWR. The number the manufacturer rates the truck can tow, minus the truck fully loaded with passengers, gear, fluids.
Probably as important, at least in Baja, is having auxiliary braking for the towed vehicle. Without it, you might smoke your brakes or worse.
Then there's the inability to make an emergency stop.
Lots determined by how far you plan to tow and where.
US Marines: providing enemies of America an opportunity to die for their country since 1775.
What I say before any important decision.
F*ck it.
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bkbend
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I won't tow anything that outweighs my tow vehicle even though the book says I can. I just don't think it's safe to have something heavier than me
pushing me around at highway speeds.
If an SUV is 4,000 lbs and has a max tow weight of 5,000 lbs I'd feel safer in winds or when trucks go by if I limit my tow to 4,000 lbs.
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