Tow Vehicle Weight Ratings
Posted: Fri Oct 21, 2016 7:16 pm
I read and post some stuff on the Airstream Addict Facebook page. At times I wonder why I bother.
For me, it is pretty simple. If the tow rating for a particular vehicle sold in the United States is 3,500 lbs. I don't really care what the same car sold in Europe has for a tow rating. Unless you are going to use that car in Europe it doesn't really matter. What matters is how that car is going to be used here in the States.
In my book, advocating the use of a tow vehicle well outside of the OEM's rated tow weight is not only irresponsible but reckless.
I realize most people who purchase their first trailer usually do so by considering what they can afford and what they like. If it happens to be too much trailer for their tow vehicle, much like Nicky and Tacey in "The Long, Long Trailer", you end up purchasing a different tow vehicle.
Unfortunately, many of those who purchase their first trailer are sold by the salesman who tend to say anything to sell their goods. Not knowing any better, if the salesman says you will be fine you will assume the salesman is an expert and knows what he is saying.
There is a certain Airstream dealer in Canada that as far as I am concerned is not only irresponsible but is reckless in his tow vehicle recommendations. In one video he is towing a 34' Airstream with a mini-van. As far as he is concerned, if you use the proper weight distribution hitch, sway control, and brake control you should be able to tow anything with anything.
As far as irresponsible is concerned, telling someone to use your tow vehicle in a way in which the OEM didn't recommend could possibly void any new vehicle warranty but could do some major damage to a vehicle.
As far as reckless is concerned, telling someone to use your tow vehicle in a way in which the OEM didn't recommend could possibly void any insurance coverage. If you were to be involved in an accident while towing something way beyond the tow rating would be a real good reason for an insurance company to not pay out on a claim.
I will be the first to admit that over the years I have put loads on trucks that were way beyond what the truck was rated to carry. I have also towed trailers that were a lot heavier than what the OEM rated the tow vehicle to tow. But I have also driven 100's of thousands of miles over the years driving all sorts of trucks, buses, and cars. I have a lot of experience driving when conditions are not ideal. But I will be the first to say do as I say and not do as I do. When I am pushing the envelope I am not in the hammer lane making time. I am in the slow lane getting there.
Last summer when we had to change to a 1/2-ton Suburban to tow our Avion 34V the last 1,100 miles home I was not very thrilled at the prospect. But the 1/2-ton was the ONLY tow vehicle available at anything close to the price we could afford. When you are faced with only one option you can't be very choosey. As a consequence, we traveled at a much lower average speed than we did with the 3/4-ton Suburban. When we came to the Cabbage Hill downgrade just to the east of Pendleton, OR I took very seriously the speed limits imposed on combinations. It said five or more axles had a speed limit of 37 MPH. My wife asked me why we were going so slow. And when we got to the bottom of the hill she wanted to know what smelled. Even with gearing down the brakes got warm enough to start to smell.
This may be a bit of rant and not all that coherent. But it really bothers me that someone in the industry purports to be an expert and promulgates such reckless and irresponsible advice.
Mark O.
Winlock, WA
1981 Avion 34V
1995 K1500 GMC Suburban
For me, it is pretty simple. If the tow rating for a particular vehicle sold in the United States is 3,500 lbs. I don't really care what the same car sold in Europe has for a tow rating. Unless you are going to use that car in Europe it doesn't really matter. What matters is how that car is going to be used here in the States.
In my book, advocating the use of a tow vehicle well outside of the OEM's rated tow weight is not only irresponsible but reckless.
I realize most people who purchase their first trailer usually do so by considering what they can afford and what they like. If it happens to be too much trailer for their tow vehicle, much like Nicky and Tacey in "The Long, Long Trailer", you end up purchasing a different tow vehicle.
Unfortunately, many of those who purchase their first trailer are sold by the salesman who tend to say anything to sell their goods. Not knowing any better, if the salesman says you will be fine you will assume the salesman is an expert and knows what he is saying.
There is a certain Airstream dealer in Canada that as far as I am concerned is not only irresponsible but is reckless in his tow vehicle recommendations. In one video he is towing a 34' Airstream with a mini-van. As far as he is concerned, if you use the proper weight distribution hitch, sway control, and brake control you should be able to tow anything with anything.
As far as irresponsible is concerned, telling someone to use your tow vehicle in a way in which the OEM didn't recommend could possibly void any new vehicle warranty but could do some major damage to a vehicle.
As far as reckless is concerned, telling someone to use your tow vehicle in a way in which the OEM didn't recommend could possibly void any insurance coverage. If you were to be involved in an accident while towing something way beyond the tow rating would be a real good reason for an insurance company to not pay out on a claim.
I will be the first to admit that over the years I have put loads on trucks that were way beyond what the truck was rated to carry. I have also towed trailers that were a lot heavier than what the OEM rated the tow vehicle to tow. But I have also driven 100's of thousands of miles over the years driving all sorts of trucks, buses, and cars. I have a lot of experience driving when conditions are not ideal. But I will be the first to say do as I say and not do as I do. When I am pushing the envelope I am not in the hammer lane making time. I am in the slow lane getting there.
Last summer when we had to change to a 1/2-ton Suburban to tow our Avion 34V the last 1,100 miles home I was not very thrilled at the prospect. But the 1/2-ton was the ONLY tow vehicle available at anything close to the price we could afford. When you are faced with only one option you can't be very choosey. As a consequence, we traveled at a much lower average speed than we did with the 3/4-ton Suburban. When we came to the Cabbage Hill downgrade just to the east of Pendleton, OR I took very seriously the speed limits imposed on combinations. It said five or more axles had a speed limit of 37 MPH. My wife asked me why we were going so slow. And when we got to the bottom of the hill she wanted to know what smelled. Even with gearing down the brakes got warm enough to start to smell.
This may be a bit of rant and not all that coherent. But it really bothers me that someone in the industry purports to be an expert and promulgates such reckless and irresponsible advice.
Mark O.
Winlock, WA
1981 Avion 34V
1995 K1500 GMC Suburban