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Ford and some other brands will have the following note in the owner's manual for half-ton or smaller size vehicles. Note: Make sure to take into consideration trailer frontal area. Do not exceed 36.5 feet² (3.39 meters²) if your vehicle is equipped with the standard towing package, or 60 feet²...

What I would or would not do is only for me personally. I said I won't buy a Ford. I don't tell what others they should do. I provide facts, options, and the appropriate tool for them to make an educated decision. No one can know what vehicle is best for their towing needs until the following...

"...factors to consider than charts right?" Absolutely! The biggest problem is that most consumers read only the charts and don't read the other instructions, cautions, and warnings written in the owner's manual. I have written and published many articles covering multiple factors in selecting...

Now some of you seeing the frustrations I've had to deal with the last 4 years interpreting the crapy Ford charts and specs. After the second year, I decided then I'd never own a Ford truck just because of the mental headaches it caused me. Dag-nab-it, the 2018 charts are coming too soon.

Let’s discuss using the Lippert Level Up as a means to change a tire and safety practices. Lippert’s hydraulic system is more than capable of lifting and holding a trailer up off the ground, even for extended periods of time. I lifted my empty Cyclone off the ground at a storage lot for 8...

Here's the scoop. So far it appears that only conventional trailers with ball attachment couplers rated 10K# or less have an SAE standard for safety chains. Surprisingly, the Standard is not mandatory and it is entirely optional for the manufacturer to include safety chains. I have not...

The gooseneck hitch is not covered under the SAE J684. I'll have to find out if SAE has a standard for that. Good question. That's another I'll be researching. Update: Covered under SAE J2638. I'm getting it soon.

Even the SAE J684 states "The safety chains shall be crossed under the trailer tongue and connected to the hitch assembly or to other towing vehicle members." SAE J684 also notes that "Crossing the chains under the tongue typically reduces the probability of stressing or breaking the chains...

It happened again. From what I’m able to surmise from the report, I suspect the following possible problems contributed to the loss of control. 1. Safety chains not crisscrossed. 2. Safety chains too long. 3. Safety chains rating too light. 4. Incorrect safety chain hooks or rating too light...

The morning after Memorial Day 2017, I became aware of a horrific tragedy in Lincoln County, Kentucky. It was caused by a travel trailer that unhitched from a truck. The trailer then moved into the opposite lane and met head-on into an SUV. The SUV driver was killed, and six-month-old Colt Tuff...

As long as the chains are removed from the bars, that's fine. You don't need to remove the whole system. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

There are two different calculators. One for fifth wheel and one for conventional towing.

If you really want to know the realistic vehicle towing capacity for any vehicle, I recommend you use RV Tow Check. Towing guides are worthless most of the time.

Okay, let me hopefully make this a little easier for you. Go to Fifth Wheel Street and start with the 4-Step Weight Safety Plan. Without the convenience of getting the recommended wheel-by-wheel weighing, the 4-Step Weight Safety Plan is the best option if you don't know all the required...

J2807 does not cover payload requirements. J2807 "defines procedures and requirements to determine Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) and calculate corresponding Trailer Weight Rating (TWR) for any tow-vehicle." Ram and Chevrolet do the best job at calculating payload. For that matter, Ram...

Actually, SAE J2807 stipulates the tow weight rating with a driver and passenger both weighing 150 pounds. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

J59 is fine. Been on it with my 41 foot Cyclone. Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Hi, Tim I gather that you are attempting to upgrade your truck to tow the Road Warrior. First of all, dry weight is useless. I always recommend using the GVWR for calculating towing capacity needs. Secondly, Bigger tires or tires with higher load ratings may not be all you need to do to improve...

Have you considered ordering the F350 XL or XLT Chassis Cab? Then you could put any available bed option on it for towing. Just remember, a steel bed may decrease the tow capacity just a bit. http://www.ford.com/commercial-trucks/chassis-cab/

When I had a Smart car and other stuff in my Cyclone garage (about 2,500 pounds), it only reduced the pin weight 300 pounds. I suspect the Torque may have less pin weight reduction. But it really depends on how you load it. Too many individual variables to really know.

Re: Wrong TV Rig??? Just wanted to drop in here and remind some, and it may be new to some, that the Automated Safety Hitch System (ASHS) is an alternative to buying a new truck, in some situations. It really depends on the difference in the cost of the ASHS and a new truck. (Maybe the cost of...

Responded to the PM. Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk

When towing a conventional trailer, a tow vehicle with a properly equipped and adjusted weight distribution system (WDS) should never need an air bag system. If you have the correct and properly adjusted WDS and it still is not leveling your tow vehicle, the trailer's tongue weight may be too...

Here are some articles that may help clarify some questions. A Lesson on Gross Combination Weight Rating The Truth about Altering Vehicle Weight Certification My Truck Pulls It Just Fine!

Okay. Status up date for Amy and me. We'll depart the Las Vagas on Oct. 10 and travel to and stay for the night at the Bakersfield RV Resort (reservations made). From there, on to Jackson. We are looking forward to some great times and meeting some new folks, as well as getting reacquainted...

I'd suggest they use the SAE J2807 compliant RV Tow Check App before deciding to tow with that.

I concur. Mine occasionally shifts hard too. Sounds like I'm spinning the rear tires a bit. Seems to do it most often when I throttle it hard, like getting up speed leaving the on-ramp to the highway.

Congratulations on your Cyclone purchase. Oh, boy, asking what truck would be best for your is akin to asking what type a house you should buy. The big three brands have their pluses and minuses. It really will be your personal choice. The best thing to do is go test drive them all. Since you...

I figured you would. I felt it was important to mention for the benefit others. As I have reviewed J2807 more, I've confirmed that RV Tow Check complies with paragraph 5.6 (GVWR and GCWR). One important item to note about 5.6 is that it states that the "Resultant TWR shall be no greater than...

J2807 is procedure or guideline for testing only. It does not imply that the end user (the consumer) can follow the reasoning behind J2807 allowances provided for the vehicle testers. Therefore, I don't think it's a loophole for the end user. I have yet to discover any recent vehicle owner's...

Since Nissan XD diesel was mentioned... Nissan is way over-hyping this truck. Although it comes with the gooseneck hitch, one may be able to tow a double horse gooseneck trailer without exceeding the GVWR and GAWR with one or two horses inside. I don’t know how they come up with the unrealistic...

Safety should be first and foremost. Here is a video of a 6 inch lifted truck and a 8 inch lifted Road Warrior. Notice the trailer height compared to the house and garage door. This is safest way to do it right.

If you really want to tow a trailer with a lifted truck, then you need to read this article. http://fifthwheelst.com/automated-safety-hitch-system.html Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk

Sure, it will tow it. But the real question that must be answered is "Will you be able to tow it without exceeding your truck's weight safety ratings?" You can answer that question by knowing your truck's realistic vehicle towing capacity by using the RV Tow Check App. Additionally, here a...

Yeah, if you could find the right 2013 model or newer, you'd have a good truck. (Though the 2012 isn't that far off.) The 2013 improved GVWR and GAWR.

Honestly, the new Ram 3500 has more HP and torque than what is available for the 4500/5500. IMO, the Ram 3500 should have no problem towing a 20,000 pound GVWR trailer. I've been towing 19,400 pounds across the country very successfully. I've been over I 70 twice in Colorado and was passing all...

If you haven't done so, read this article: The Truth about Altering Vehicle Weight Certification Although, whatever you do to modify the truck, you can not legally change the Certification Label (GVWR and GAWR). Now, I don't know if GCWR is listed on MDT's Certification Label. It is not on...

Thank you Chuck for letting me know. Amy and I look forward to being there. Great looking venue. I'm picking up my Cyclone on Monday after being worked on for the last two months. A tree limb landed on it at the Vandenberg AFB storage lot. Around $8,600 damage. New roof on top and just about...

May not had anything to do with weight. Apparently, at some point in time, there was a 40 foot length limit on buses/motor coaches on the Ohio Turnpike. http://codes.ohio.gov/oac/5537-3-01v1 If is was a weight issue, it probably was because the motor coach exceeded the max weight limit of the...

Don't know how you got that idea. Not rhetorical at all. If you're sure it's illegal, cite the law and/or provide the links to the law for whatever state you are talking about. - - - Updated - - - Note: If some of you want to talk about insurance, then someone start a different thread. Stay on...