Issues to Consider When Matching Trucks and Trailers Together
As a consumer or recreational tower, it is very necessary that one has a general knowledge of how to match a truck to a trailer. There are basically two classifications that are required to determine which trailer to match to a truck. The US government has broken down weight classes from Class 1 through Class 8. The next step is to determine which category the selected truck falls in to. There are three levels that a truck can be grouped; light duty, Medium duty and heavy duty.
There are many terms associated with trucks and trailering. The first is the GVWR, or the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. The GVWR is the rating that the truck can carry with all of occupants and load. One may ask, “How does the weight of the truck have anything to do with towing a trailer?” Well, one of the most important items to consider when towing is the stopping distance of the vehicle. If more weight is added to the towing vehicle and then a trailer is added to that, then the stopping distance is increased. Take for example a Nissan Titan. The Titan is rated at towing 9500lbs with a payload of 2035lbs plus the trucks weight, or GVWR. The truck can pull a trailer with a total weight of up to 9500 lbs. Trailers are rated in the same way as the truck, with a gross trailering weight. This is the recommended weight set by the government and the trailer manufacture that the trailer can safely handle.
Another important thing to consider is tongue weight. This is the weight that the bumper can safely tow a trailer. Some choose to use the ball on the bumper setup to tow a trailer. This is acceptable and safe as long as the trailers tongue weight (weight of the tongue of the trailer when loaded) does not exceed the trucks bumper tongue weight range. Most trucks have this labled on the rear of the bumper. The most common and safest way to tow a trailer is to use a frame mounted receiver. This is a frame that contains a receiver in which the ball is attached to a metal arm that fits into the receiver. They range from a class 1-4, class 4 being the highest rating. This setup offers a more secure frame mount versus using the bumper to carry the trailers weight.
In order to tow a trailer safely you must secure your load. This is important not only to avoid a ticket but also to keep your materials safe and secure. Most states can issue a “failure to secure load” ticket if they determine your load not secured properly. A rule of thumb is its better to over-secure a load than under-secure. Ratchet straps can be used or rope with the proper amount of tension to secure a load.
There are several important areas to be considered when matching a truck to a trailer. Take your time and cover all of your bases on weight ratings for the truck as well as the trailer. Consult manufactures of both to determine safe towing weights. You can never be to safe when towing is concerned.
Robert Tate – Region Sales Manager of Mascus UK. Mascus is an electronic marketplace for used tractors, trailers and trucks. Mascus makes trading in trucks for sale more efficiently by collecting all information about supply and demand in one place. Contacts: Robert Tate Mob:+ 44 (0) 7970 230055 E mail: robert.tate@mascus.comArticle Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/issues-to-consider-when-matching-trucks-and-trailers-together-1603548.html