TrailManor Owner's Forum - View Single Post

12-07-2004, 09:34 AM

Before you buy, check the owners manual for the specific vehicle you are buying. MY Brother -in law was going to buy a chevy 1500, small v-8, auto tranny. Before he signed on dotted line he checked the manual.
There were 2 1/2 pages of engine, transmission, and rear axle ratio combinations vs. GWR, GCWR, tow weights,etc. He has a 4800lbs Coachmen. The truck he was going to buy had a 3.50 rear axle. Guess what. The manual said 3700 lbs. tow capacity. The salesman nearly dropped his teeth. With a 3.90, or 4.10 axle ratio the truck was rated at 5000lbs. An eye opener for all of us.
Bro-in-law bought a chev 1500 with big v-8, auto-tranny, and 3.73rear axle. Tow capacity is 7800 lbs.
My point is, for the specific vehicle you are looking at, just because the salesman says it will tow so much, is not necessarily true.
Check the ratings in the owners manual before you buy. My 2 cents worth.

12-07-2004, 09:34 AM	#7
grampa Guest Posts: n/a	My 2 cents worth Before you buy, check the owners manual for the specific vehicle you are buying. MY Brother -in law was going to buy a chevy 1500, small v-8, auto tranny. Before he signed on dotted line he checked the manual. There were 2 1/2 pages of engine, transmission, and rear axle ratio combinations vs. GWR, GCWR, tow weights,etc. He has a 4800lbs Coachmen. The truck he was going to buy had a 3.50 rear axle. Guess what. The manual said 3700 lbs. tow capacity. The salesman nearly dropped his teeth. With a 3.90, or 4.10 axle ratio the truck was rated at 5000lbs. An eye opener for all of us. Bro-in-law bought a chev 1500 with big v-8, auto-tranny, and 3.73rear axle. Tow capacity is 7800 lbs. My point is, for the specific vehicle you are looking at, just because the salesman says it will tow so much, is not necessarily true. Check the ratings in the owners manual before you buy. My 2 cents worth.