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 Hi
Andy,
I found your article comparing GM's 1500HD and 2500HD
pickups very Interesting. I own a 2001 GMC 2500 HD
extended cab 4x4 short box with an 8.1 L engine, Allison
tranny and 4:10 rear end. I tow a 2001 Golden Falcon
28 DS. Here are some actual weights from my trip to
Newfoundland last summer.
Truck Front Axle:1,830 kilograms (4,044 pounds)
GM rating: 2,118 kilograms (4,670 pounds)
Truck Rear Axle: 2,400 kilograms (5,304 pounds)
GM rating: 2,760 kilograms (6,084 pounds)
Total Truck: 4,230 kilograms (9,348 pounds)
GM rating: 4,173 kilograms (9,200 pounds)
Total Truck & Trailer: 8,010 kilograms (17,702 pounds)
GM rating: 9,955 kilograms (22,000 pounds)
Trailer Axles (2) Weight: 3,810 kilograms (8,420 pounds)
Golden Falcon rating: 4,525 kilograms
Trailer Total Weight: 4,890 kilograms (10,807 pounds)
Golden Falcon rating: 5,167 kilograms
Trailer Pin Weight: 1,080 kilograms (2,387 pounds)
After reading your article suggesting that GM may
eventually go to 265/75-16 tires to take advantage
of the extra capacity in weight afforded by the axle
rating (which in itself is 6,900 pounds), this would
mean in my case that an extra 1,600 pounds could be
added to the rear axle.
As you can see, although I have tried to allow some
safety margin on all the weight ratings, I cannot
meet the GVWR rating established by GM. Adding the
extra weight allowed by this axle with proper tires
would only make things worst. Your comments would
be greatly appreciated, including one on the fact
that I am exceeding the GVWR of the truck. Keep up
the good work.
Robert Chalut
Elliot Lake, Ont.
... (Read Andy's letters in the magazine.)
Hi Andy,
I have a 1998 Coleman Bayside folding camper trailer
(2,600 pounds empty). I originally towed my trailer
with a 93 Plymouth Voyager, and had no handling problems
at all, except possibly wanting for a bit more horsepower.
I currently have a 2002 Jeep Liberty (which has a
higher rated tow capacity), and have experienced excessive
trailer sway. I cannot exceed 100 kph without the
trailer becoming unstable. I have lowered the tongue
height some, to angle the trailer slightly downward
on the front end, and stability improved only slightly.
Any suggestions? I would be nice to be able to drive
at the speed limit (110 kph).
Al Heans
New Brunswick
...
(Read Andy's letter in the magazine.) (Page
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