Robert Schultz wrote:
>
> I asked this on alt.autos.dodge.trucks and didn't get any replies. Which is
> odd casue this always used to start flame wars.
> -----------
> Correct me if I'm wrong or miss anything. Every truck has a max trailer
> weight and a max combined vehicle weight. Several factors go into
> determining these numbers. For starters they'd be engine, axle, brakes,
> tranny, suspension and wheelbase?
>
>
> But, if you knew what parts of your truck were the problem, could they be
> improved to add additional towing capacity? And then if you did this, who
> would be able to certify that the truck was now capable of towing more
> safely and within it's new limits?
>
any truck dealer/garage can recertify.
the axle/s cap + tire size/load rating + spring cap. is the basic
formula
I recertified my 88 1/2 ton Dak to 3/4 ton by adding 15" tires and an
additional 1000 lb extra cap leaf to the spring pack.
air shocks wont count but air-bags do as they are permanant mounted.
> What got me wondering about this was the specs on the Jeep Liberty. With the
> 3.7l engine and the auto the Max Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) is
> 10,100 lbs. From my manual the GCWR on my 2000 Dakota QC 5spd 4.7l is 9,200
> lbs. With a 3.92 axle it gets up to 10,500 (both auto and manual). Only 400
> lbs heavier than the Liberty with 25 less HP and 60 less ft/lbs of torque
> and a wheelbase that is 27 in shorter. So what's the limiting factor in the
> Dakota? From experience I'd say it's brakes, but then my current trailer
> (due to be replaced) doesn't have brakes so I'm depending on the truck when
> I shouldn't be. (As a side note, why do they sell trailers with 3500lb axles
> with no brakes and then recommend that you have them when towing anything
> over 2000lbs?)
>
> On the Dakota with the 3.55 the automatic pulls 300lbs more than the manual
> transmission. So then it leads me to the tranny. If I could beef up the
> tranny and add trailer brakes, then who would be able to decide whether this
> increases the GCWR?
>
> Questions, questions, questions.
>
> RS
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