Towing
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 29
Likes: 1
.13 is the middle of 10% to 15% which is said to be the ideal tongue weight range. All trailers will handle differently depending on load balance, but it gives you guidance for a starting point. Most determine the rough max GVWR of the trailer they can handle from the remaining truck payload by using the 13% number.
Sounds good. Thank you.
Grumpy Old Man
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,129
Likes: 887
From: Midland County Texas, just west of the star in my avatar
.13 = 13%. The industry standard is 10 to 15 percent. In my experience, 10% or 11% is not enough tongue weight (TW) to result in the best towing experience. 13% is great, but anywhere between 12% and 14% is good. More than 14% is fine if your tow vehicle has enough payload capacity to have that much TW without exceeding the GVWR of the tow vehicle.
Member
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 45
Likes: 34
Please read this. This has nothing to do with payloads etc.
You are concerned about the power to pull that load. Ultimately your safety, and anyone in and around your truck, will be based on your ability to stop that load and handle it in a wide range of circumstances. Cross winds, trucks passing, uneven road surfaces, bridges, underpasses, rain, hills, etc.
Watch a couple videos of trailer sway. As you know by now you're pushing the limits of your truck. Any margin of safety with a smaller trailer or bigger truck are gone.
Take the time to practice driving that combination. Find times without traffic if you can. Think about sudden stops or fast swerves.
I would drive a rig that's pushing the limits like you are. For 100 miles or less, flat terrain, no passengers, and in good weather. I don't believe you said how often or how far. Through the mountains and I'm praying for you. West Texas? Go for it. Have your brakes checked before each trip, keep your speed down, I wouldn't go over 60, 55 may be smarter.
For reference I have 25 years experience towing and put on about 8,000 to 10,000 miles a year pulling my much smaller Jayco. I know folks pull some big trailers with half tons and it sounds like you knew enough to ask for the buzz words like " max tow". You're on a good start.
Sorry if I sound like a preacher. I've seen too many trailers bent in too many ways. Often it's half ton trucks with big trailers being pulled by good people.
You are concerned about the power to pull that load. Ultimately your safety, and anyone in and around your truck, will be based on your ability to stop that load and handle it in a wide range of circumstances. Cross winds, trucks passing, uneven road surfaces, bridges, underpasses, rain, hills, etc.
Watch a couple videos of trailer sway. As you know by now you're pushing the limits of your truck. Any margin of safety with a smaller trailer or bigger truck are gone.
Take the time to practice driving that combination. Find times without traffic if you can. Think about sudden stops or fast swerves.
I would drive a rig that's pushing the limits like you are. For 100 miles or less, flat terrain, no passengers, and in good weather. I don't believe you said how often or how far. Through the mountains and I'm praying for you. West Texas? Go for it. Have your brakes checked before each trip, keep your speed down, I wouldn't go over 60, 55 may be smarter.
For reference I have 25 years experience towing and put on about 8,000 to 10,000 miles a year pulling my much smaller Jayco. I know folks pull some big trailers with half tons and it sounds like you knew enough to ask for the buzz words like " max tow". You're on a good start.
Sorry if I sound like a preacher. I've seen too many trailers bent in too many ways. Often it's half ton trucks with big trailers being pulled by good people.
5 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 2,645
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Poor guy uses the search feature to find an existing thread and gets ragged on, someone else doesn't search the existing threads but starts a new thread and gets ragged on..... guess there is no right answer on the internet.
