Exceeding Towing Capacity

[jkru]

Re: Exceeding Towing Capacity

It seems no matter what advice you get,your bound to try it...there are alot more factors involved than you think, Like,what class hitch is on the truck ? i know it wont be a class 4. what if the trailer brakes fail,how do you plan to back her down the ramp, personally i think its a dangerous/stupid thing to attempt,rent a truck thats built to handle 10K,don't risk it.

I just checked online it looks like its a class IV hitch so should be fine in that reguard. As for the trailer brakes failing that has crossed my mind.

I think there is one arguement that could trump all and thats liability. I believe that if your towing overweight and even if its not your fault and your in an accident your 100% liable in washington state. What I might do is just pull it out at the ramp, there is plenty of parking and work on the boat there.

Anyone confirm this?

 

[flowjet_man]

Re: Exceeding Towing Capacity

I towed 5100 lbs with my Trailblazer last week. It is an EXT model, so it tends to do a better job in the handling department compared to your shorter wheelbase. I only have the 6 cyl, so I was basically at my capacity. Without taking account of the lack of power, I was not particuliarly pleased at much the trailer jerked me around. In other words, I would be scared s%$tless to pull something that weighed more than double my vehicle and 30% more than its capacity. If you're hellbent on doing this, I would try it around the block on school day when all the kids are gone first... and have an extra pair of underwear ready.

 

[rocket1968]

Re: Exceeding Towing Capacity

Please add the fact you are going to use the bumper hitch....(Just kidding).

 

[marine4003]

Re: Exceeding Towing Capacity

JKRU,
I may be wrong,but i cant believe the truck came standard with a class 4 hitch,perhaps a 3 at best......

 

[BamaAlum97]

Re: Exceeding Towing Capacity

If you have an accident while towing beyond the recommended limits, you can be pretty certain that your insurance will not cover the damage.

 

[Dandelion]

Re: Exceeding Towing Capacity

If you're only going to make the trip a couple of times a year, and considering the risk of full liability if anything were to go wrong, why on earth not simply pay someone from your local marina to do the haul for you? Can't imagine it would cost more than $100.

 

[jkru]

Re: Exceeding Towing Capacity

JKRU,
I may be wrong,but i cant believe the truck came standard with a class 4 hitch,perhaps a 3 at best......

Class IV trailer hitch is standard. Here is a link for reference:

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/pr...zer-price-comparison.php?session_code=1&aff=1

 

[guy74]

Re: Exceeding Towing Capacity

I was thinking of this thread this morning, when I was pulling a load of fertilizer home. 8 tons of product, 3700lb spreader wagon, no brakes, only 300lbs of tounge weight, and all this behind my F450. I wonder if I was exeeding my tow rating? BTW I haul loads like this over 1000 miles every year, for the last 17years, but only at 40mph or less. I see this done with 1/2 ton trucks too, and the only accident I can remember is when the bumper broke off the frame of the pickup. I guess I'm not in the "Gotta have a semi-tractor to pull a john-boat group of people", but I guess I can hitch up my 12ft'er to my Frieghtliner, if you'd like a picture of it

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Exceeding Towing Capacity

You know you wouldn't be asking the question if you didn't know it was a bad idea.

Just wait and see how much fun it will be when the law spots a little mini truck with a triple axle trailer behind it. Not just the money but being stuck on the side of the road cause they will not let you leave hooked to that trailer. Bad time to find someone who has a tow vehicle that can help you so you don't have to leave it parked on the side of the road.

Nice truck but be serious and think how stupid that SS must look with big tow mirrors hanging off the doors cause we all know you can't see around a boat big enough to need a triple axle trailer.

 

[jkru]

Re: Exceeding Towing Capacity

I found a picture when I first purchased the boat as a repo. I can see my truck in front of it. I also have one picture of it side by side. (Doesnt look that bad.)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26340534@N05/2474077800/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26340534@N05/2473249607/

Thanks!
JKru

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Exceeding Towing Capacity

Nice truck man!

I still think your just asking for trouble. There's just no way that little truck should be towing a triple axle trailer. But then you already know that?

All I can say is be careful and hope you don't get caught. Most of all I hope nothing does go wrong I'd hate to see you wreak that cool truck. Your really setting yourself up for some major problems if they do. Think about it you get in an accident and your insurance is not gonna cover you. You could lose the truck and boat and not get paid for anything maybe even sued. What if someone gets hurt and you knowingly and willfully operating unsafe.

Just saying you could lose big with nice big lawsuits and be trying to explain to a judge why you should have a drivers license.

*** thats got to be a fun truck to drive though I really do like that. Is it all wheel drive? Man that's cool***

 

[jkru]

Re: Exceeding Towing Capacity

Nice truck man!



*** thats got to be a fun truck to drive though I really do like that. Is it all wheel drive? Man that's cool***

Thanks, its a lot of fun, i really like it. But it guzzles gas, I get about 10-11mpg in the city LOL.. And yes, the truck is AWD. We are looking at a Maxum 25' this saturday. I might downsize my boat or I was thinking about buying a 1 ton beater truck maybee as well.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Exceeding Towing Capacity

Thanks, its a lot of fun, i really like it. But it guzzles gas, I get about 10-11mpg in the city LOL.. And yes, the truck is AWD. We are looking at a Maxum 25' this saturday. I might downsize my boat or I was thinking about buying a 1 ton beater truck maybee as well.

You might have to keep your foot out of it to get better mileage

...........no that's not any fun.

 

[BamaAlum97]

Re: Exceeding Towing Capacity

Even if the accident is not your fault...the other drivers insurance will probably not pay either since you would be operating your vehicle illegally.

Be careful out there and good luck.

 

[KnottyBuoyz]

Re: Exceeding Towing Capacity

What do ya'll think of my rig? Am I exceedin' my towing capacity?

 

[samo_ott]

Re: Exceeding Towing Capacity

What do ya'll think of my rig? Am I exceedin' my towing capacity?

As long as you have brakes on both axles of the trailer you should be fine!

 

[External Combustion]

Re: Exceeding Towing Capacity

Nah! With a class three hitch that boat should be able to tow the car anywhere!

 

[jkru]

Re: Exceeding Towing Capacity

Even if the accident is not your fault...the other drivers insurance will probably not pay either since you would be operating your vehicle illegally.

Be careful out there and good luck.

No worries I have accident forgiveness

 

[jkru]

Re: Exceeding Towing Capacity

What do ya'll think of my rig? Am I exceedin' my towing capacity?

What about this one:

 

[Fingernip]

Re: Exceeding Towing Capacity

That looks like that crazy repo bike. Has a retractable tow dolly and all. Built up just for towing.