Improving Tow Capabuilty

[AClayton]

I like that you had to make an emergency maneuver did someone not look far enough ahead. There are no emergency maneuvers just people not paying attention to what the H**L their doing

This is a meaningless post!! You mean to tell me that no one has ever cut you off on the highways before?? Could there be a possibility of another driver that wasn't paying attention and didn't see you and pulled out un-expectedly??



I have had that happen to me more than a few times pulling a heavy trailer and it is not fun. Obviously, nothing like this has happened to you... ... . and not because you're a better driver but because it just never happened yet - it will sooner or later!



Alan

 

[BIGNASTY]

Take a look at this it might change you outlook at being able to avoid such stupid things as cut offs. When I first went to one of these schools that the company paid for the rights to teach I started to laugh the boss asked what I thought was funny. I asked how much he paid for common sense thinking. follow this and your driving will be much better. NOT THAT I OR ANYONE ELSE IS BETTER. Smith System Driver Safety Training Products & Seminars JUST MORE INFORMED take a look at it its good info that of course you and other think about everytime you get behind the wheel. I might be wrong but 34 years behind the wheel of commercial trucks without a ticket or AT fault acc. ya I might be just a little better than you but more than likely not

 

[lebar]

Where do you find the ratings on the wheels?

 

[AH64ID]

Most wheels have the rating stamped on them. The Dodge OEM wheels are the only ones I've ever seen without it.

 

[HBarlow]

Sometimes the weight rating is stamped on the inside of the wheel. You'll have to remove a tire to look for it. I've never looked at a Dodge wheel but I think I remember someone posting that several years ago.

OEM wheels are normally rated at just a couple hundred pound more than the tires the OEM mfr. installs. Upgrading to larger/higher capacity tires without changing the wheels also is usually not a great idea.

 

[AH64ID]

Sometimes the weight rating is stamped on the inside of the wheel. You'll have to remove a tire to look for it. I've never looked at a Dodge wheel but I think I remember someone posting that several years ago.



OEM wheels are normally rated at just a couple hundred pound more than the tires the OEM mfr. installs. Upgrading to larger/higher capacity tires without changing the wheels also is usually not a great idea.

That's normally where they are stamped, but none of the 3rd gen alum wheels I have looked at have been stamped. I have looked at wheels from 06, 08 and 09.

 

[HBarlow]

Well, maybe Dodge simply doesn't weight stamp them. I can't say, don't think I've ever looked to see what their rating is.

 

[MA2LA]

As far as emergency maneuvers and such it makes me think of something Dave Dispain(host of wind tunnel on speed)said. He has been riding motorcycles for something like 30 yrs with out an accident on the road and he said his key to that is they he expects every driver out there will do something to hurt him and he rides with that in his mind. That being said I drive in Washington DC, northern VA and MD and even up to NYC and far south as Maimi in some crazy traffic and see alot of stupidity on the roads(its almost entertaining) and In the last 15 years and about 500k miles I have only been in one accident and that was a kid running a red light. I have found you can tell what a lot of people on the road are going to do before they do it and nothing supprizes me much any more when I'm driving. the biggest thing is maintaining a safe following distance and keep an eye out for the tell tale signs that someone is going to do something stupid. An yes its frustrating as hell when people keep cutting you off because they feel your leaving to much room or that you are holding them up and they "need" to be in front of the big slow truck. But it is what it is, just deal with it and be prepared to deal with dummy's on the road

 

[AClayton]

Yeah... ... ... I drive on the DC Beltway daily and I know exactly what you mean. These people think that just because you are in a truck pulling a large trailer, that you're the one holding up traffic! When in reality, it is some illegal on the road with bald tires and smoke bellowing out his exhaust pipe... ... ... totally clueless! Just saw it today... ..... it was funny because it was 6. 0L Ford F-250!! Probably got it real cheap and the illegal thought he got a super deal - until it blows up~!!!



Alan

 

[RVTRKN]

MA2LA, I ride a FLHTK Harley and have ridden various other bikes for years, you learn a lot about the "other" drivers while riding. I tell my wife what a driver is going to do before he/she does it, and she is amazed at the high percentage of times I'm correct. I really hate the new tinted windows, you could always tell if you were seen by the other driver, until tinted windows became popular. Now I have to treat every driver as a danger when entering an intersection.



The same rules apply when driving, but with a heavy load, even at the "controversial" GCVWR by the manufactures. You know, the argument about whats legal, when towing under/over the GCVWR. You must pay attention at all times to the "other" driver. But as long as I'm licensed, insured and registered for 26K, I'll do it all day long with my C&C.

 

[BIGNASTY]

As far as emergency maneuvers and such it makes me think of something Dave Dispain(host of wind tunnel on speed)said. He has been riding motorcycles for something like 30 yrs with out an accident on the road and he said his key to that is they he expects every driver out there will do something to hurt him and he rides with that in his mind. That being said I drive in Washington DC, northern VA and MD and even up to NYC and far south as Maimi in some crazy traffic and see alot of stupidity on the roads(its almost entertaining) and In the last 15 years and about 500k miles I have only been in one accident and that was a kid running a red light. I have found you can tell what a lot of people on the road are going to do before they do it and nothing supprizes me much any more when I'm driving. the biggest thing is maintaining a safe following distance and keep an eye out for the tell tale signs that someone is going to do something stupid. An yes its frustrating as hell when people keep cutting you off because they feel your leaving to much room or that you are holding them up and they "need" to be in front of the big slow truck. But it is what it is, just deal with it and be prepared to deal with dummy's on the road

10/4 on that most are to busy talking on the phone or playing with the CD or doing anything else but driving

 

[CUMMINZ]

#ad

 

[Wiredawg]

One more (or less) Comment;



I never minimize or critize anyone's post! I give my opinion based upon, my experience (or inxperience), my knoledge (or lack of knowlge), and opinion. I figure if you read all of this thread, and postulate it, you will perform your own risk and safety evaluation, and reach a learned decision.



There are ones of us who will never insult or minimze your concern. Please let us know what you actually decide. I promise I will not critize it.



Your comopadre, Wredawg (Ron)

 

[CUMMINZ]

I like that you had to make an emergency maneuver did someone not look far enough ahead. There are no emergency maneuvers just people not paying attention to what the H**L their doing

Let me give you the situation. We were north of Nashville on I-24 and there was heavy construction on both sides of the road. There were concrete barriers on both sides of the road. There was a top in a hill and a break in the concrete barriers where the dump trucks were entering the highway. The truck came up a hill and moved into the highway a slow rate of speed and we were only travelling 45-55mph. When he came out I expected him to take up just the right lane but he swerved into both lanes. It was more of an emergency stop.

 

[Bob Cochran]

I just do not see how one can avoid all evasive maneuvers. Having attended Smith Driving every year for a good many years(company requirement) and I use the Smith principles all the time. Including tapping the horn and getting shown I am "number one". I have seen others do things that is just impossible to believe perhaps even insane.

My instance was a 12 year old boy between cars I seen in the last second. He was hidden by the cars until was almost on him. As I was approaching I seen him, slowed down, tapped horn, he looked directly at me and ran in front of me. I swerved missing him by inches and side swiping a parked car. There was on coming traffic so could not go the other direction besides probably would have run into him as he was going to the center of the road. No way could I stop in a straight line without hitting him.

Yea I could have just run over him but I could not have lived with myself if I ran over that boy perhaps others could I don't know. I have no idea what he was thinking, probably wasn't. What I am saying it is silly to think those situations don't happen and do not have to make an evasive maneuver. No evasive maneuver is not the only correct solution in every situation. Depends on the each situation you are in and what you have planned to do if what you think the other guy might do and does!!!

I am sure most all of us have had some one dart out to pass coming straight at you head on. You cannot stop, your only choice is going right and hoping for the best. No way will I not make that evasive maneuver to save myself and family.

If this has never happened to you congratulations I wish I was you!!! When it does I hope you make the right decision for everyone's benefit.

How did we get off topic? Perhaps we need to get back into improving towing capability.

 

[RVTRKN]

Bob, I too would do my best to avoid the child to include side swiping another vehicle, and even when I know that it may hurt me or my passenger. I would also have a hard time living with myself, but if I'm insured for the weight its registered at then it becomes an insurance issue. If the parents sue than its an insurance issue And being commercial at 500K per incident they would settle at the max.



My daughter turned left into someone totaling both vehicles when she was 17, and they sued us for 80K. But that was the attorney's ploy, was to sue at a high number so the insurance will settle at the max allowed, in this case it was 25K. Towing above the GCVWR is legal as long as your lic. reg. and insured for it.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Let me give you the situation. We were north of Nashville on I-24 and there was heavy construction on both sides of the road. There were concrete barriers on both sides of the road. There was a top in a hill and a break in the concrete barriers where the dump trucks were entering the highway. The truck came up a hill and moved into the highway a slow rate of speed and we were only travelling 45-55mph. When he came out I expected him to take up just the right lane but he swerved into both lanes. It was more of an emergency stop.

You said it in your post YOU EXPECTED him to do something like stay in his own lane or the first one. Im not saying Im better than anybody but I EXPECT the worst thing possible form drivers and Im usually not disappointed. I guess it comes from straping 9000 gal of gasoline on your butt and driving in LA with all the people that cant even read the road sign's and expecitng them to even have a clue.