Adequate Towing Rig

[ZDaddy]

Okay, I've searched and posted a question in the 60-Series section (https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?p=1450625#post1450625) but I thought I'd ask the question here, too.

When towing a load of X pounds, what sort of tow vehicle should you use? Does it have to be 1.5 * X in weight? Or is there another rule of thumb to use?

Or, to put it another way, when the Nissan Titan is rated at 9400#, can you really tow 9400#? It is a 1/2 Ton, after all.

 

[Grim Reaper]

Okay, I've searched and posted a question in the 60-Series section (https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?p=1450625#post1450625) but I thought I'd ask the question here, too.

When towing a load of X pounds, what sort of tow vehicle should you use? Does it have to be 1.5 * X in weight? Or is there another rule of thumb to use?

Or, to put it another way, when the Nissan Titan is rated at 9400#, can you really tow 9400#? It is a 1/2 Ton, after all.

can you do it...yes....are you wise to do it...NO WAY IN HELL. Nissan's claim is hotly debated on the RV forums. My 88 3/4 ton 454 TH 400 3.73 (same engine and transmission in most older gas Motorhomes) geared 8600 gvwr Suburban is only rated 9200. If it had 4.10 it would be close to 12k and 14 k with 4.56.

I have towed nearly 8.5 k with my Burb and yes it did it but it was not real happy with that weight in the hills on steep narrow roads. 6k it handles no big deal. Set the cruise on 65 and it will go all day and get 10.5 mpg doing it (thats its normal empty MPG) but that extra 2500lb sure did not make it happy.

Most seasoned RV folks feel that the factory tow rating on most vehicles is over rated and recommend never exceeding 80% of what it is rated.

My biggest issue wit the Nissan Is I really think thats WAY beyond what that rear axle should ever be subjected to. I went with the 3/4 to get the 10.5 FF 14 for towing.
The Nissan's are blowing out the rear ends because I think they are running a Dana 44 with a 8.5 inch rear end Its so bad stuff like this is http://www.mrtruck.net/pmlpress.htm is cropping up. Even Toyota has gone to a 10.5 rear end for their Tow packages on the Tundra.

Now the Nissan is rated the same Torque and more HP then my Sub but my Sub is making 385lbft of torque at 1600 RPM. The Nissan has to scream 3500 RPM to make that. Towing is about down low torque to get the load moving.