So I read in one of the invaluable forums here just recently that a person ought to consider carefully whether he should tow trailers that weigh more than the tow vehicle itselfweighs. That seemed like some outstanding prudent advice to me...but it got me thinking about the V6 and V8. The V6 weighs just over 5,000 pounds if memory serves, and has a 5,000 pound tow weight. The V8 (again, if memory serves) weighs a few hundred pounds more than the v6, still in the low 5,000s...and has a 7,000 pound towing spec. Now outside of the "weight distributing" hitch and the bit of extra horsepower (is there any other difference between the two?), does anyone else think it seems strange that one should attempt to tow something close to 7,000 pounds with a vehicle slightly over 5,000 pounds? Is there any difference in, e.g., wheelbase length or any other important factor? Would you tow something 6,000 or more pounds with a 5,000 pound vehicle? Just curious....
Should You Trust the V8 Towing Spec?
- Thread starter cmj685
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You're a bit over on the weight, my V8 2X4 weighs 4350 or so. And as far as the weight, I tow a trailer and I think the factory limit is very reasonable. Just be careful and on your first tow, take it easy, don't get into heavy traffic or get stuck in a parking lot. Plan you moves with the idea that backing up is a chance to meet your insurance agent.
Hank
New member
There's no problem towing a load that weighs more than the vehicle itself (if properly equipped). A client of mine has a new '05 Dodge Ram Quad Cab dually & Cummins Turbo Diesel motor which weighs about 7,300lbs but can tow up to 15,000lbs (when properly equipped; that's double the vehicle's weight!). So there's really no problem towing a heavy load as long as it is done correctly (e.g.- trailer weight must be balanced properly, etc). I once saw an older couple tow a trailer using a mid-80s Caddy and too much of the trailer weight was in front of the trailer axle that the rear of the Caddy was carrying most of the trailer weight. You should've seen the front of the Caddy pointing up to the sky and bobbing up & down! Extremely dangerous and unstable especially since they were climbing a steep grade on I-15 in CA.
HuntRunner
New member
As said above, the key here is properly equiped. You have to be able to control the weight your pulling, meaning you have to be able to stop it. Heavy trailers need the brakes properly hooked up and the correct hitch setup; with all this done correctly, you can safely tow the vehicle's tow capacity.
