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Old 08-13-2017, 09:51 AM   #1
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Panic over specifications

I approach this subject with a sense of levity.
Ratings, capacities, weight limits etc can easily be found officially within the folds of owner's manuals, yet many hours are whiled away reiterating or quoting them here.
Many of those same folks say that the manufacturer is the ultimate authority and should be followed to the letter, then immediately suggest that their numbers can not be trusted.
Well here is another facetious thread which I insist "must" be taken seriously.

Tow ratings, tongue ratings, axle ratings, cargo capacity, tire age, frame fatigue, engine wear, transmission wear, even cooling system age can effect performance, capacity and safety.


Here are a few more completely arbitrary suggestions which must be considered in addition to all the other arbitrary or reasonable replacement or maintenance schedules.

Proposed...
For every year of service (or 10,000miles) you must reduce your vehicle's tow capacity by a minimum of 500 pounds.
Also you must reduce payload based on the same criteria by 100 pounds.

You must also weigh each person dressed for travel, add them all up and divide by 150, This will reveal your real world passenger number.

You must reduce your trailer axle rating by exactly 5% per year.
You must reduce your towing speed by 5MPH per year of trailer age.

I assure you that each of these proposals can be supported by convincing arguments, both legitimate and otherwise. In the event of the failure of those methods, obfuscation may be substituted.

Any other suggested arbitrary or facetious rules can be added here and will not be considered hijacking.

Let the fun begin...
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Old 08-13-2017, 09:55 AM   #2
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When you weigh the passengers does it matter if they are wearing winter or summer clothes?
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Old 08-13-2017, 10:14 AM   #3
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Panic over specifications

My dogs are passengers. Do they need to have their clothing on when I weigh them?

Also based on these suggestions my car is unsafe to even drive as it can not even move its own wt. any thoughts on what I can remove to make it go again. Maybe we can push it around?
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Old 08-13-2017, 10:15 AM   #4
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Don't forget to add in the altitude factor, say 30% reduction in towing capacity for every 2000 ft of altitude sounds about right.
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Old 08-13-2017, 10:16 AM   #5
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At last a set of rules that makes sense and is based on sound principles. If Floyd will allow , I am going to print copies of his post for future reference.
Hopefully this will end the silly debates on "Can I pull a 23 ft Oliver with a Honda Fit" .

Thanks again Floyd for being the voice of common sense and reason !!

** As a side note , I have not weighed any where near 150 lbs in 45 years and there is no use pretending otherwise. **
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Old 08-13-2017, 10:39 AM   #6
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Dont forget that if you use 100% nitrogen (instead of the usual 78%) in your tires you can safely go 2.93% faster (assuming you are about midpoint between the equator and the pole.....)
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Old 08-13-2017, 11:14 AM   #7
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And remember that you need a margin of safety so whatever the manufacturer says is good for towing, subtract 30%. And add 50% to the dry weight of the trailer to get its real world weight, loaded with everything including the kitchen sink.
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Old 08-13-2017, 11:28 AM   #8
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Certain brands/types of potato chips weigh either more or less than other brand/types. Be sure to know which kind you should buy if you or your trailer is overweight for towing.
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Old 08-13-2017, 11:35 AM   #9
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I think you should get extra weight and speed if you have a higher IQ. Maybe 2% for every 10 points above 200?
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Old 08-13-2017, 11:40 AM   #10
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It is important to sweep before each trip. This will reduce the tow weight .00002 lbs, if not done it may cause you wheel bearings to seize ,especially if they haven't been repacked by a certified professional in the last 30 days using red grease.
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Old 08-13-2017, 12:12 PM   #11
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floyd,

I like the idea of reducing the towing speed by 5 MPH per year. So, if I tow at 60 MPH with a new trailer, in 12 years I'll be towing at 0 MPH. That is a tremendous safety factor indeed! Plus it saves a lot of wear on the equipment and stops the need for new tires! But in the 7th year, do I have to tow in negative numbers, or in reverse. Then it starts to become more dangerous as I have to back up, faster and faster, each year, to get to my destination.

Then the new owner buys my trailer and the process starts over again. Or I could buy it back and be able to travel at 60 MPH again.

I think you're on to something here!
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Old 08-13-2017, 12:43 PM   #12
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How often can you repurchase your camper? Would you be able to repurchase every 6 months and gain some speed? What about repurchasing the TV as well?
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Old 08-13-2017, 12:48 PM   #13
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A candidate for the Document Center!
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Old 08-13-2017, 02:06 PM   #14
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Due to the "lift" factor of Helium, filling your tires with it will increase your MPG 1.46%. Hydrogen is ever better...
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Old 08-13-2017, 02:30 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve Outlaw View Post
Due to the "lift" factor of Helium, filling your tires with it will increase your MPG 1.46%. Hydrogen is ever better...
Hydrogen could make for a spectacular blowout.........
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Old 08-13-2017, 03:29 PM   #16
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Ok. Let's see if I have the math correct. My Campster is a 1970. If I reduce the speed by 5mph per year, that's 5 x 17 = 235. So, I should go down the freeway at 165 mph in reverse? Works for me.
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Old 08-13-2017, 04:11 PM   #17
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The thread goes to nowhere. Floyd proposed a very good discussion, but the thread is a bazaar now:-(
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Old 08-13-2017, 04:18 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sokhapkin View Post
The thread goes to nowhere. Floyd proposed a very good discussion, but the thread is a bazaar now:-(
Perhaps you missed floyd's comments:

"Any other suggested arbitrary or facetious rules can be added here and will not be considered hijacking.

Let the fun begin..."

and:

"I approach this subject with a sense of levity."

Both are quotes from his first post.
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Old 08-13-2017, 04:30 PM   #19
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Few people know that you can restore tow capacity lost over time, and even add to it. Here's how: dress in a grass skirt, bone necklace and body paint from wild berries. Circle the vehicle and trailer (must be hooked up) at leat five times while mumbling and shaking juju sticks.
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Old 08-13-2017, 04:53 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Magee View Post
Few people know that you can restore tow capacity lost over time, and even add to it. Haer's how: dress in a grass skirt, bone necklace and body paint from wild berries. Circle the vehicle and trailer (must be hooked up) at leat five times while mumbling and shaking juju sticks.
Who knew? And here I thought the trick was ruby slippers, clicking your heels thrice, and repeating "Yes I can tow it with a Yugo...yes I can tow it with a Yugo..."
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