[A/S] Re; Expedition

[hhamp5246@xxxxxxx]

Most experienced tarilerists suggest you stay 20% under the max towing weight 
the truck manufacturer suggests.... mainly because the manufacturers are 
stating the weight under completely optimal conditions... see below.


1. The tow rating is ALWAYS a maximum figure, and is as large as the 
manufacturer dares make it. They hope you will buy their stuff for 
towing.  Their rating may or may not be right for you and the 
conditions under which you tow.

2. MOST tow ratings (nothing personal or specific vs any particular 
tow vehicle) do not allow for long steep grades - up or down. IMO, 
brakes are a bigger factor than power.

3. Most tow ratings make no allowance for bad road conditions.

4. Most tow ratings are accompanied by asterisks that call attention 
to special equipment "required". Your rig may not have those features.

5. Most tow ratings make no allowance whatever for emergency 
maneuvers.  I assure you your vehcile WILL NOT turn or stop as 
fast or as safely with the maximum load as it will with a lot less. 

6. Vehicle tow ratings make no allowance for the DRIVER'S "tow 
rating".  No insult intended, but if you have to ask how much your rig 
will tow, you have neither the experience or the knowledge to handle 
the maximum load safely.  IMO. 

7. One of the most-overlooked factors in safe towing is a COMBINED 
maximum that very often dictates a much lighter-than-maximum TOWED 
load. The weight of cargo & passengers in the tow vehicle must be 
deducted from the permissible towed load to find the true rating. 

8. What is reasonably safe and comfortable at 45 mph may well be a 
lethal weapon at 75.  Tow ratings, IMO, do NOT reflect any respect 
for this hazard.  

I didn't write the above, an experienced trailerist did.... I do agree with 
him...but then, I'm a "safey nut".

Hunter