What determines a tow rig's capacity?

Is it springs and axles? How much of a role does the engine play?

Lastly, on the engine, what makes for a better puller? Small block V8, big block V8, or diesel V8? How about a good ole fashion I6?

door plate on my 99 F250 2wd V10 SuperDuty says something like 8800 lbs is what it is rated for...

Towing capacity is compiled of alot of things, Engine,running gear, method of attatchment, and GVW. Hope that helps. And personally a diesel is the only way to tow! <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

DRM, not quite what I was looking for... I could have looked on door plate of a rig too <IMG SRC="smilies/rolleyes.gif" border="0">

TNTMUDMAN, thanks for some input.

The reason I'm asking is in the future when things are looking bright, I was hoping to modify a Cruiser into a tow rig(read, swap in a drivetrain + other goodies <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0"> ) Most Cruiser's have fairly light springs that I wouldn't trust for towing another vehicle <IMG SRC="smilies/frown.gif" border="0"> Thus, I'm curious if I grab some "heavy" springs off the drivetrain donor rig will I be safe or should I adopt the "fuck it" attitude <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

Basically, doing a litte research now so I can keep an eye out for a steal on drivetrains/etc for a future buildup. I don't really need a tow rig yet(no running rig yet) or in the near future(my rig will be steet legal and safe <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0"> )

Originally posted by Lil'John:
<STRONG>DRM, not quite what I was looking for... I could have looked on door plate of a rig too <IMG SRC="smilies/rolleyes.gif" border="0">

TNTMUDMAN, thanks for some input.

The reason I'm asking is in the future when things are looking bright, I was hoping to modify a Cruiser into a tow rig(read, swap in a drivetrain + other goodies <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0"> ) Most Cruiser's have fairly light springs that I wouldn't trust for towing another vehicle <IMG SRC="smilies/frown.gif" border="0"> Thus, I'm curious if I grab some "heavy" springs off the drivetrain donor rig will I be safe or should I adopt the "fuck it" attitude <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

Basically, doing a litte research now so I can keep an eye out for a steal on drivetrains/etc for a future buildup. I don't really need a tow rig yet(no running rig yet) or in the near future(my rig will be steet legal and safe <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0"> )</STRONG>

The longer the wheelbase the better, on the tow rig that is..... You get some weird stuff going on towing with a SWB vehicle.

[ 10-22-2001: Message edited by: AZ Rockcrawler ]

Originally posted by AZ Rockcrawler:
<STRONG>The longer the wheelbase the better, on the tow rig that is..... You get some weird stuff going on towing with a SWB vehicle.
</STRONG>

Unless you intend to stretch the wheelbase to somewhere longer than 115", I would stay away from any kind of tow rig that short...

Originally posted by DRM:
<STRONG>Unless you intend to stretch the wheelbase to somewhere longer than 115", I would stay away from any kind of tow rig that short...</STRONG>

OR.. go with a gooseneck. Then the WB isn't as important.

Hmmm.. a beefed up Cruiser pickup would be a cool little tow-rig..

But you'd need the axles, the brakes, the frame, the springs, the engine, the tranny to handle the load of a gooseneck trailer.

Hmm.. Maybe start with a K30 Chevy and drop a Cruiser body on it? <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

DRM and AZ Rockcrawler:

Good point. I was looking at either using a FJ55 or FJ45 as a base platform or a stretched FJ40 <IMG SRC="smilies/tongue.gif" border="0"> Maybe a FJ60 if the price is right <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0"> Then swap in the drivetrain(engine, tranny, tcase, axles) out of another rig.... hence the question about springs <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">

One other odd question, which would be better for a tow rig, manual tranny or automatic? While I can drive both, I've had VERY bad luck with autos in the past(700R4, need I say more <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">)

Yes, more time and ideas than common sense here <IMG SRC="smilies/eyemouth.gif" border="0">

[ 10-22-2001: Message edited by: Lil'John ]

Carrying capacity is all well and good, but don't forget BRAKING capacity. It's what the litigators are looking at.... <IMG SRC="smilies/rolleyes.gif" border="0">

Depending on what state you live in, this can get complex... a club member of mine got stopped coming down 80 from Reno to Sacramento for being overweight. He was towing a Jeep on a trailer with a full load in the back of the truck (pretty obvious sag) and they pulled him over and had a chat about weight... and brakes. The GVW rating on his doorsill didn't even come close to the load he was carrying. To hear him speak of it, though, the cop was more concerned about the brakes than the overloaded springs.

...so keep an eye on the state regs where you live... you can upgrade the brakes, the springs, and the axles, but I bet it is a good deal more complicated to upgrade the actual GVW.

Randii

Originally posted by randii:
<STRONG>Carrying capacity is all well and good, but don't forget BRAKING capacity. It's what the litigators are looking at.... <IMG SRC="smilies/rolleyes.gif" border="0">
</STRONG>

Good point... and I wasn't overlooking those either <IMG SRC="smilies/tongue.gif" border="0"> I didn't bring them up as I considered them "part" of upgrading the axles <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

Originally posted by randii:
<STRONG>Depending on what state you live in, this can get complex... a club member of mine got stopped coming down 80 from Reno to Sacramento for being overweight. He was towing a Jeep on a trailer with a full load in the back of the truck (pretty obvious sag) and they pulled him over and had a chat about weight... and brakes. The GVW rating on his doorsill didn't even come close to the load he was carrying. To hear him speak of it, though, the cop was more concerned about the brakes than the overloaded springs.

...so keep an eye on the state regs where you live... you can upgrade the brakes, the springs, and the axles, but I bet it is a good deal more complicated to upgrade the actual GVW.

Randii</STRONG>

Yet another Northern CA boy here <IMG SRC="smilies/tongue.gif" border="0">

Definately another issue for me to look into. Thanks for bringing it up.

Obviously, I'm more concerned with the safety than some "made up" number stamped on a door jam.... but the government isn't <IMG SRC="smilies/frown.gif" border="0"> So, I gotta play by their rules also.

I've got a 2000 F250 with the powerstroke and an auto tranny. The towing rating of a vehicle is based upon the engine, rear axle, rear springs, and the support the rear frame has. The only difference between a F250 and a F350 in the rear of the vehicle is the addition of an extra cross member between the frame rails on the F250. My total Gross Combined rating is 20,000 while the rating of an F350 V10 is 18,000 (showing the importance of the motor). <IMG SRC="smilies/bounce.gif" border="0">

Sorry for the double post but I forgot to mention something. If your looking for a type of tow rig I would really have to say desiel. As far as the trailer type I would have to say gooseneck. I use to have an 1988 GMC dually with a 454. The thing was a beast and would tow a fully loaded Jeep on a trailer with a weeks worth of gear in the back of the truck into a head wind, uphill at 80 mph and hold it........the bad part is the gas was just running out the side. Now I tow a 30+ft gooseneck. Loaded with 2 Jeeps and enough gear for two people I can still hold 80 mph and I still get between 11 and 15 miles per gallon. When I'm running at normal speeds the gas mileage just keeps going up. <IMG SRC="smilies/bounce.gif" border="0">

So far Tiberian is the only one who has mentioned anything about the frame. The frame on an F250 is a helluva lot thicker material than the frame on an F150. You would need some serious beefing up to do on a Land Cruiser. Upgrading to 3/4 ton or 1 ton axles would solve the braking problem as long as the proper sized master cylinder was used with them.

'Lil John,

Definitely go with a diesel motor. I can tow with my Cummins up most hills at 85 mphs without slowing down and still get 14 mpg. Cummins is the King of Torque. Definitely go with a manual tranmission for durability.

Charles

wouldnt there still be a cruiser frame? perhaps stiffen the frame, cruisers have lots o frame flex right?..i know mine does. so, i would think haulin puts strain....just a thought. peace