To all you guys that tow with half tons.

[psisk1]

No, I am talking about the hitch that is physically bolted to the truck. Like I said before, most guys are unaware that they're over the hitch's rated capacity

I'll be damned!!


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[rdlangston13]

Somebody cuts you off, you have diminished stopping power because of an undistributed load caused by an overweight trailer. Sorry, I'm just playing the Devils advocate here. I know I'm being stupid in stressing about this, and I don't want one of those stupid contraptions on my truck, nor am I sure they even work with surge brakes.... But holy crap is that ever a big what if to be driving around with.

The do make weight distributing set ups specifically designed for surge brakes.

[bluice311]

This is the exact reason why I upgraded from a Tundra to a Super Duty Diesel! We originally bought the Tundra for towing trailers (Sea-Doos, utility, previous Monterey boat, etc.) and it worked great. The very first time we took out the Moomba you could feel the truck struggling with acceleration and stopping. That is when we learned the harsh reality of weight carrying versus weight distributing and manufacturers' tow ratings. Yes the Tundra "can" pull that weight, but with a standard ball hitch that value drops to 4800 pounds, and you have to incorporate the additional occupants/gear in the truck itself.

My top priority is the safety of my family, followed by the investment of boat and truck, and the other people on the road. I'm not willing to risk all of that on the thinking "I'm sure there is a safety factor built into those ratings..." I know the Super Duty is overkill for my daily needs, but having an 8500 weight carrying capacity and a 14000 pound weight distributing capacity, I no longer have to worry about my truck doing the job it was intended to do.

[mattsask]

This is the exact reason why I upgraded from a Tundra to a Super Duty Diesel! We originally bought the Tundra for towing trailers (Sea-Doos, utility, previous Monterey boat, etc.) and it worked great. The very first time we took out the Moomba you could feel the truck struggling with acceleration and stopping. That is when we learned the harsh reality of weight carrying versus weight distributing and manufacturers' tow ratings. Yes the Tundra "can" pull that weight, but with a standard ball hitch that value drops to 4800 pounds, and you have to incorporate the additional occupants/gear in the truck itself.

My top priority is the safety of my family, followed by the investment of boat and truck, and the other people on the road. I'm not willing to risk all of that on the thinking "I'm sure there is a safety factor built into those ratings..." I know the Super Duty is overkill for my daily needs, but having an 8500 weight carrying capacity and a 14000 pound weight distributing capacity, I no longer have to worry about my truck doing the job it was intended to do.

Would be nice, but we only tow about 1000 kms each year and 600 of them are to the dealer for service. The boat stays at the cottage for the rest of the year. I just can't justify anything bigger than a half ton. Maybe one day I'll be able to afford one of those big boy trucks!

[Broke Pilot]

I'll admit I didn't read his thread all the way thru, so if someone mentioned his ignore me. It got too long too quick.

One thing people don't account for is it's not the actual trailer weight but the actual pull/rolling resistance, weight. That's why those tundra pulling a space shuttle commercials are so stupid. Just cuz a trailer weighs 5k, doesn't mean it's going to put 5k of stress on the hitch. It's on wheels. The rolling resistance is completely different.
My buddy who breeds boxers has a dog named Scooby, he's a beast. He has a pull harness for him and I've seen him pull my '01 Cummins race truck. It's still over 6k even when stripped. I'm sure his Harness isn't rated for 5k pounds! See where I'm going...? You put a weight on the ground without wheels, whatever it weighs is what it takes to move it, plus any friction. You put wheels on it, you've changed the game.

So yes, a half ton will pull it no problem.
Tongue weight is another issue. Moomba should have set up the boat/trailer combo to have around 500# on the tongue. Only way to know is to have a trailer shop measure it. If not, shift the boat back until you achieve it, and then adjust the nose roller back in some form or fashion. Then you're golden. Don't jack with WD hitches, it's not worth the time or $$! Just adjust the load

[MJHSupra]

Somebody cuts you off, you have diminished stopping power because of an undistributed load caused by an overweight trailer. Sorry, I'm just playing the Devils advocate here. I know I'm being stupid in stressing about this, and I don't want one of those stupid contraptions on my truck, nor am I sure they even work with surge brakes.... But holy crap is that ever a big what if to be driving around with.

No worries. I see what you are saying. Probably many other scenarios.

If someone cuts your off illegally, if that person stops, then I assume it would be their fault.
If someone cuts your off illegally, if they do not stop and you cause the accident, you might be up the creek w/o anyone else as a witness, thus, it would be your fault. Not sure how the trailer would be entered into the situation if the po-po or insurance company say you do not have control of your vehicle. Just like if you backend someone, you get blamed b/c of vehicle control or speed or following too close.

Overall, I'm MORE worried about my 1/2 ton Chevy and the STOPPING power. I need new brakes on my truck and I was just thinking about having them upgraded.

[Pound]

Not to get sidetracked... but has anyone seen the torque specs of the 2017 Ford Super Duty's? holy f'g hell (pardon my French). 925 ft-lbs!!!! as in NINE-HUNDRED-TWENTY-FIVE FOOT POUNDS!

and this is interesting relative to this thread..."One of the smartest innovations here is the tow hitch system, available for 2.5- and 3-inch setups. These hitches are built into the frame and extend so far underneath the truck (and use so much high-strength steel) that weight-equalizing bars are no longer required to handle the maximum tow capacity. That will save Super Duty owners a lot of time and effort when hitching up"

http://autoweek.com/article/car-revi...ve-king-torque

[trayson]

I'll admit I didn't read his thread all the way thru, so if someone mentioned his ignore me. It got too long too quick.

One thing people don't account for is it's not the actual trailer weight but the actual pull/rolling resistance, weight. That's why those tundra pulling a space shuttle commercials are so stupid. Just cuz a trailer weighs 5k, doesn't mean it's going to put 5k of stress on the hitch. It's on wheels. The rolling resistance is completely different.
My buddy who breeds boxers has a dog named Scooby, he's a beast. He has a pull harness for him and I've seen him pull my '01 Cummins race truck. It's still over 6k even when stripped. I'm sure his Harness isn't rated for 5k pounds! See where I'm going...? You put a weight on the ground without wheels, whatever it weighs is what it takes to move it, plus any friction. You put wheels on it, you've changed the game.

So yes, a half ton will pull it no problem.
Tongue weight is another issue. Moomba should have set up the boat/trailer combo to have around 500# on the tongue. Only way to know is to have a trailer shop measure it. If not, shift the boat back until you achieve it, and then adjust the nose roller back in some form or fashion. Then you're golden. Don't jack with WD hitches, it's not worth the time or $$! Just adjust the load

Actually I've measured my tongue weight at the truck scales. I weighed the trailer attached to the truck. I weighed the truck while still attached to the trailer. Then I disconnected the trailer and saw how much the weight of the truck decreased when I weighed the truck w/o the trailer attached. The difference between the truck weight hitched and unhitched is obviously tongue weight.

[jmvotto]

Actually I've measured my tongue weight at the truck scales. I weighed the trailer attached to the truck. I weighed the truck while still attached to the trailer. Then I disconnected the trailer and saw how much the weight of the truck decreased when I weighed the truck w/o the trailer attached. The difference between the truck weight hitched and unhitched is obviously tongue weight.

And the answer was?

[KG's Supra24]

And the answer was?