ford-boy Posted January 9, 2019 Share Posted January 9, 2019 are the various numbers for trucks determined? This one tows 6800 lbs, that one tows 7500 lbs. This one hauls 1450 lbs, etc. What is the formula or metric that yields these numbers? Do the manufacturers just pull a number out of their hat? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted January 9, 2019 Share Posted January 9, 2019 Some good material at this link...https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truck_classification I'm sure others will chime in and fill in any other questions you have... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twintornados Posted January 9, 2019 Share Posted January 9, 2019 8 hours ago, ford-boy said: are the various numbers for trucks determined? This one tows 6800 lbs, that one tows 7500 lbs. This one hauls 1450 lbs, etc. What is the formula or metric that yields these numbers? Do the manufacturers just pull a number out of their hat? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted January 9, 2019 Share Posted January 9, 2019 9 hours ago, ford-boy said: are the various numbers for trucks determined? This one tows 6800 lbs, that one tows 7500 lbs. This one hauls 1450 lbs, etc. What is the formula or metric that yields these numbers? Do the manufacturers just pull a number out of their hat? I believe its determed by powertrain vs weight of the vehicle. I remember from my introduction to tank recovery classes back when I was in the Army, that towing anything that weighed more then your vehicle normally was very bad thing going downhill because it would push you down the hill with it or jacknife. I believe having brakes on a trailer for example, helps with this to a point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trailhiker Posted January 9, 2019 Share Posted January 9, 2019 I think it is determined by how many sales a higher tow rating will generate divided by how much more it will cost them in warranty repairs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted January 9, 2019 Share Posted January 9, 2019 There is an SAE standard for tow ratings now: J2807. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoonerLS Posted January 9, 2019 Share Posted January 9, 2019 10 hours ago, silvrsvt said: I believe its determed by powertrain vs weight of the vehicle. That's part of it. The wheelbase, engine, axle ratio, driveline configuration, and payload rating all factor into it. Trucks can actually safely tow loads with significantly higher mass than the truck itself--f'rinstance, you can get an F150 that's rated to tow around twice its weight. The usual limiting factor in half-tons (F150, etc) is the payload rating. If you have a 1,000 lb payload rating, once you get 600lbs of dad, mom, and three teen/tween kids in the truck, plus 100lbs of their junk, that leaves you about 300lbs for the tongue weight of the trailer, which means you can only safely haul about 3,000 lbs of trailer, although your truck might be rated to tow quite a bit more. It may not be rocket science, but it's not sticking a wet finger in the air, either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2005Explorer Posted January 17, 2019 Share Posted January 17, 2019 It’s interesting that pickup models are still referred to as 1/2 ton (F150), 3/4 ton (F250), 1 ton (F350) when in reality the new Ranger is actually somewhere between a 3/4 ton and 1 ton in payload capacity. The F-Series models are way above their classic designations and have been for a VERY long time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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