Quote:
Originally Posted by Wavery
The gross trailer weight is 3800#, as you mentioned, the "towed weight" is 3300#.
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I'd be real careful about that conclusion. Depends on what you are going to do with it, I suppose. But the tow vehicle has to contend with all 3800 pounds. It has to start it, stop it, tug it up long grades, keep the engine cool, keep the transmission cool, keep it under control in emergency situations. None of this changed by simply moving the weight around. You should not conclude that moving weight around makes things easier on the tow vehicle. In fact, the hitch weight makes things worse, by stressing all the rear end components.
There is a reason why car/truck manufacturers specify towing capacity, and why they offer (and often require) factory-installed towing equipment packages. And the SAE's new towing spec J-2807 does not make any distinction based on where you put the weight. Nor should we.
Bill