Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill
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, 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. 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
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The "Towed weight" is the weight behind the trailer hitch. The other 500# (in this example) is part of the overall "Payload weight". That is an important distinction because it effects a different part of the total CGVW.
It is all part of the package that the vehicle has to pull around and (more importantly) STOP..... The "payload weight" effects the running parts of the vehicle, like bearings, tires etc. The "Towed weight" effects only the work that has to be done. It has it's own set of tires, bearings and suspension.
No one is saying that the towed weight doesn't effect the overall wear & tear and performance of the tow vehicle. It's just a distinction that is valid.