Author Topic: Tow Ratings  (Read 26193 times)

mr.mindless

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 15356
  • Karma: +2/-16
Re: Tow Ratings
« Reply #105 on: May 07, 2017, 03:21:28 PM »
Look like a nice set of numbers!
Quote from: etk300ex
oh lord!

Harrison

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2104
  • Karma: +2/-0
Tow Ratings
« Reply #106 on: May 07, 2017, 06:43:29 PM »
Pushed it at 70mph whole way down and got 9.3mpg. Did speed limit on the way home, grabbed 5th and did 60 on long pulls and got 10.7mpg.

Those numbers were about what I was getting with the stock tune or POS Edge, but with a trailer a foot shorter and 4000lb less gross combined... and 6th was useless in those days on anything but rolling hills.

Smarty Jr on high setting and I had all the power I needed anywhere above 1800rpm, EGTs rarely got over 1150 and were easy to control. Phone call to Smarty Resource said run it on the high setting if you have a clutch that can take it and avoid sustained EGTs over 1200.

Super please, feels like a real truck. Handled weight with no load bars without issue. Trailer was great too, able to keep Jeep inside during rain and still have room to live or house people for shelter. Plumbing install this week.

mr.mindless

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 15356
  • Karma: +2/-16
Re: Tow Ratings
« Reply #107 on: May 07, 2017, 06:52:45 PM »
Interesting. I should try the high setting sometime, then. I run tow.

overhead gave me ~10.5 with my enclosed, Corvette or not, to IN and back, and ~11.7 with my lowboy with 2 light rigs on it. Doing 70-73 (no cruise).
Quote from: etk300ex
oh lord!

Harrison

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2104
  • Karma: +2/-0
Re: Tow Ratings
« Reply #108 on: May 07, 2017, 07:03:20 PM »
They claimed highest will yield best fuel economy. Also stated their tunes are pretty conservative from a motor longevity perspective if EGTs were kept in check. Mostly concerned about people blowing up their stock autos.

TrailTamer

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2021
  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Tow Ratings
« Reply #109 on: May 08, 2017, 07:02:18 AM »
Out of everything I've towed; Mr.Mindless's enclosed trailer make my truck to ride super nice empty or loaded. I'll get one of my own one day. Nice trailer, Harris!

M4wdFab

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 22417
  • Karma: +11/-22
Re: Tow Ratings
« Reply #110 on: May 08, 2017, 08:20:08 AM »
other than heavy, you cant tell my trailer is behind the truck. 

18wheelers flyin by you could feel a little with the 16" tires it came with, but now with the 19.5's its rock solid. 

mr.mindless

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 15356
  • Karma: +2/-16
Re: Tow Ratings
« Reply #111 on: May 08, 2017, 09:13:33 AM »
Smike's enclosed is the nicest tow I've had.

Both of mine ride rougher.
Quote from: etk300ex
oh lord!

TrailTamer

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2021
  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Tow Ratings
« Reply #112 on: December 28, 2017, 06:02:08 PM »
I just registered my dodge at 12,000 GVWR, trailer at 14,000 GVWR. Technically my Class D driver license is still good since registered GCWR is 26,000 on the dot, correct?

Harrison

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2104
  • Karma: +2/-0
Re: Tow Ratings
« Reply #113 on: December 28, 2017, 06:04:13 PM »
After a lot of discussion and a phone call to the FMCSA, weights are based on mfgr ratings for truck and trailer. DOT doesn’t care what you pay in registration fees, they care what the vehicles are rated for.

Harrison

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2104
  • Karma: +2/-0
Re: Tow Ratings
« Reply #114 on: December 28, 2017, 06:12:20 PM »
My truck is regd at 11900 and door stickered at 12200. Trailer rated and stickered at 14000. Apparently, I am not legal. This was news to me not that long ago. United won’t send me a sticker for the trailer that says 13500

How did you register a 3/4 ton for 12000? I would have said it was rated for 8800 by the door sticker. If you’re over whatever is on the door sticker of the truck, that’s not legal.

TrailTamer

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2021
  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Tow Ratings
« Reply #115 on: December 28, 2017, 06:31:14 PM »
IMHO the mfg’s (dodge) rated 8,800lb GVWR is absurd so I’m not going off it. My dodge weight just under 8,000 as-is so it’ll be blown past 8,800lb when loaded for a wheeling trip.

Wisconsin & Illinois DMV didn’t bat an eye when I ask it to be registered at 12,000lbs.

Registering vehicles above their rated GVWR are a common practice as far as I’ve heard.

Harrison

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2104
  • Karma: +2/-0
Re: Tow Ratings
« Reply #116 on: December 28, 2017, 06:34:34 PM »
Registering vehicles above their rated GVWR are a common practice as far as I’ve heard.

I have never heard that. Again, a phone call to both FMCSA and CT DOT (not necessarily relevant for you but I doubt that changes state to state) confirmed that mfgr sticker ratings and nothing else are what is used to determine GVWR.

Nick

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1386
  • Karma: +2/-11
Re: Tow Ratings
« Reply #117 on: December 29, 2017, 01:47:09 AM »
I know a couple people who up the registration gvw on their dunno trucks.  It is doable but if you get pulled over the dot is going by your door weight not the registration weight.

Harrison

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2104
  • Karma: +2/-0
Re: Tow Ratings
« Reply #118 on: December 29, 2017, 12:13:45 PM »
Why would you bother registering for more than the sticker if that’s the case? Pay more reg fees and still be overweight by the law.

Wingman

  • Free Loader
  • Hero Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 4592
  • Karma: +2/-1
Re: Tow Ratings
« Reply #119 on: December 29, 2017, 12:49:28 PM »
It's more about saving money on registration if you never plan to haul to your truck or combination's capacity.

You could have a 26000# rated truck and register for 18000# to save some dollars. If you weigh more than 18000# though, they'll issue the registration violation.
Retired