Author Topic: Very confused by tow ratings.  (Read 2545 times)

Offline 77c10diesel

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Very confused by tow ratings.
« on: July 22, 2019, 05:03:29 PM »
What is the deal with tow ratings these days?
I am looking at a 90 Suburban 3/4 ton that is optioned to the max with tow package and 4:10 gears. By everything I can find, it looks like the original tow rating was for 7500lbs.
I just looked at some new Chevy 2500 P/U's and they are claiming over 14,000lbs and the little Canyon wanna-be truck is rated at 7700lbs!! What the heck?
I know that Horse Power is a factor, but there is way more to towing than just HP. Axles are not any stronger, brakes may be some better, but not that much, and trailer brakes are doing most of the braking anyway. I copied this straight from the web: Ford F150 3.5L EcoBoost® Twin-Turbocharged V6   13,200 lbs. They have to be joking, right?
I can only tow 7500lbs with a 90 K30 Sub and you can tow 13,200 with a V6 F150?
Help me understand.

Offline topp

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Re: Very confused by tow ratings.
« Reply #1 on: July 23, 2019, 05:36:21 AM »
Tow ratings are also based on braking. These old trucks have tiny front discs up front and drums in the rear. Todays vehicles have brakes the size of our old trucks rims.

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Offline Irish_Alley

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Re: Very confused by tow ratings.
« Reply #2 on: July 24, 2019, 10:22:43 AM »
my 91 v3500 GVWR only at 9600 with a 350/4l80e and 4.10 while my buddies 90s v3500 dually with 454 th400 and 4.10 is around 11000 lbs. think even my 2010 k1500 is around 7000. but like topp mentioned its about stopping also there was even a few years that GM put an inline 6 in the 1 tons.
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Offline roundhouse

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Re: Very confused by tow ratings.
« Reply #3 on: August 13, 2019, 11:06:49 PM »
my 91 v3500 GVWR only at 9600 with a 350/4l80e and 4.10 while my buddies 90s v3500 dually with 454 th400 and 4.10 is around 11000 lbs. think even my 2010 k1500 is around 7000. but like topp mentioned its about stopping also there was even a few years that GM put an inline 6 in the 1 tons.
I know ford put the inline six in the F350 cause I used to drive one
   

Offline Da67goatman

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Re: Very confused by tow ratings.
« Reply #4 on: August 14, 2019, 01:17:18 PM »
When it's all said and done, the number only matters if your insurance finds out, after an accident, that you exceeded it.  Try it and see how it feels. I know I've had over 10k behind my 3/4 Burb and as long as you drive accordingly I had no real problems.  Same can be said for my Ram 1500, though I will not haul much behind my Blazer because the short wheelbase makes it unsteady.
<Pitcrew>
1989 R2500 Suburban mild 350 TBI 700r4 10.5" 14bolt 4.10 w/ 33s
1992 fullsize Blazer 4x4  35s no lift, 4.10s, Hella driving lights, TJ Flares, Huge bumpers, Snorkel, custom interior

Offline Irish_Alley

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Re: Very confused by tow ratings.
« Reply #5 on: August 14, 2019, 03:17:51 PM »
i was just reading an article about i believe chevy col.. someone was towing a trailer (on a dirt road) and bent the frame when they hit a bump. insurance company came out weighed the trailer found it to be over the gvwr and denied the claim.
If you can’t tell yourself the truth, who can you tell it to?~Irish_Alley

When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth ~Sherlock Holmes