[A/S] Tow vehicles

["glyoungca" <tygen@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

...I have never towed with anything heavier than 
a half ton...

Hello all

Just in the process of installing my Class III hitch which will be 
enforced with two bars welded onto it and then onto the truck frame 
to increase the load capability.  My friend's friend is a welder who 
over heard me mention that I was going to exchange the hitch for a 
Class IV.  The consignment lot has told me that the trailer is not 
8200 lbs., but 6200 lbs. I don't know who to believe anymore and I'm 
not taking any chances just to tow it to a weigh scale. Hence 
reenforcement.  Better peace of mind.

In the US it appears that 1\2 tons are allowed as towing vehicles, 
but in British Columbia Canada the RCMP are cracking down hard on 
people towing with 1\2 tons.  I don't have all the facts before me, 
but I do know that the RCMP have been pressured by the public to post 
warnings about the checks, along the highways.  Now it remains to be 
seen as to what year of 1\2 ton are they classifying.  The new ones 
over the last five years for sure due to frames that are not designed 
for heavy towing. Beefing up a half ton to tow will not appease the 
RCMP.  One needs a 3\4 ton truck to tow anything larger than tent 
trailers.  I'm guessing that using a 1\2 ton to tow a tent trailer 
should be fine in their books.

Fortunately we have the F250 and as BC is where we go every year this 
is one issue that I will not have to worry about.  I'm sure the setup 
will be checked, but at least I won't have to leave the trailer on 
the side of the road and acquire another vehicle to tow it.  Anyone 
out there ever have to unhook the trailer in BC and leave it? What 
exactly was the process for acquiring it back?

Gerald Young
'74 Argosy