That's 2 tons more than the song "16 Tons" and topping the 2020 F-350 Super Duty by 250 pounds, the average weight of many heavyweight boxers.
Gonderman notes that Ford does have an even mightier breed of diesel potency in the F-450, max rating of 37,000 pounds of towing capacity. He disqualifies the F-450 as being in a different class. To use the boxing metaphor again, it's like comparing middleweights and welterweights.
To learn what Chevrolet did to get the extra 500 pounds of towing capacity over its 2020 offering, the author spoke with two engineers from GM, then converted their answers to layman's terms. They explained that the 2020 truck wasn't "fully optimized" for extreme towing. Thus, they left room for incremental improvements.
In addition to swapping out the wheels (yes, wheels helped make a difference) they made adjustments in the suspension and shock absorbers. The towing capacity actually has a test designed by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), and this truck's towing capacity has indeed been certified.
The article highlights additional announcements from GM for their 2021 trucks, specifically related to trailering. You can read the full story here: http://www.trucktrend.com/news/2021-chevrolet-silverado-3500hd-tows-best-in-class-36000-pounds
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REMINDER: Beans' Blackout in the Country diesel event it postponed to October 24.
Photo Credit: Wolfgang Rottmann courtesy Unsplash.
Smooth and steady is the name of the game when pulling a trailer. Accelerate slow and smooth and avoid sudden moves that may cause the trailer to sway (yaw) side-to-side. Look far down the road to identify any hazards so you have more time to react.
ReplyDeleteYour braking distances increase when pulling a trailer. This means that leaving more space between your rig and the vehicle in front of you is important.
If you have to pass another vehicle, remember that your rigs acceleration is probably going to be less than you’re used to, so make sure there’s plenty of passing room and that includes planning for the space you’re going to need to merge your tow rig and trailer in front of the vehicle you just passed.
And speaking of performance, if your rig has an automatic transmission with Overdrive, use the Trailer Tow setting. This setting can help increase fuel mileage, decrease wear and tear on the transmission, and help with engine braking on downgrades. And speaking of downgrades, don’t ride the brakes because they’ll overheat and fade.
Use a lower transmission gear to take advantage of engine braking. When parking your rig, try to avoid grades, but if you must park on a grade make sure to apply your tow rigs parking brake and chock the trailer tires.
When backing your rig don’t be shy about asking for a spotter. You know how valuable they are on the trail and they’re just as useful to make sure you don’t back into something with your trailer.
Remember that as you back your tow rig and trailer your rig may not be straight and this means there’s more chance of hitting something. Make sure you have a clear view of your spotter and you’ve agreed upon signals in advance.
Don't forget to check your tires, lights, hitch, and cargo tie downs often.