Tow vehicle question.

[dustman_stx]

Originally Posted by SKnight

All they can do is plan for typical usage. I've seen the vehicles tipped to their side, I've seen a minivan with the seats out and what must have been a ton on wood in the back.

But when they design it, the marketers say we need a van that seats seven. They plan it around average, anticipated use. They can't account for ignorance unfortunately.

I still in no way will ever buy the payload ratings when a Camry and a minivan have as much as many 1/2 ton trucks and more than some. I think I hear you saying that the post a high number on the minivan because they assume ideal weight distribution but post a low number on trucks because they assume worst case load distribution. Basically, on 1/2 ton trucks in particular, the GVWR is only climbing at approximately the same rate as it is being accumulated from heavier components, resulting in no or very modest net gains in capacity. Vehicles that don't even have frames have higher load capacities than many 1/2 ton trucks!!!

[silveradoduane]

I would love to have a diesel, but my problem has nothing to do with pulling. My problem with having a diesel is: I work overnite 11p-7a. I can't plug in my vehicle at work: (Govt wont spring for the electricity). I live in South Dakota where it quite often gets -30 in the winter overnite. I am afraid my vehicle would never start in the winter. Does anyone else have any cold weather experiences with diesels starting in the extreme cold without being plugged in?

[kandl]

Originally Posted by davel1971

Lots of the Ram 1500s have coil springs in rear for some reason and that has no where near the load capabilities of leaf springs

Actually, there were very specific reasons why Chrysler put coil springs in the rear suspension of their 1/2 ton trucks. And, pretty much the same logic applies to Chrysler's recent production of 3/4 ton Ram trucks with... coil spring in the rear! Coil springs can be engineered to match or exceed the load carrying capacity of leaf springs. One only need ponder the cars of a passing freight train to truly appreciate the load carrying capacity of a coil spring.

[kandl]

Originally Posted by silveradoduane

Does anyone else have any cold weather experiences with diesels starting in the extreme cold without being plugged in?

Old man winter spends six or more months of the year up here. Subsequently, I know a lot of folk that employ something of this nature for their diesel powered pick-me-ups:

Espar - Coolant Heaters - Eberspächer

[dretired]

I had a 2010 F150. Supercab..5.4..3.55 limited slip..that would tow my 2012 Cougar high country ,2 slide out 5th wheel, dry weight 7,700 lbs @ 9 mpg...when loaded..i didn't care for the feel of the truck ..as someone in front of me hit their brakes in stop & go traffic on the freeway. Fast forward 2 years..I now have a Ford Motor Co .."Executive turn in" F250 supercab diesel 6.7...it had 3,300 miles on it and cost what a well equipped F150 would have cost me.. IF NEW .and ..I now have a 2014 prime time crusader 325 5th wheel 10,300lbs dry weight... So glad I made the switch ...13 mpg on the freeway @65 mph..

[shadow7663]

Originally Posted by kandl

Old man winter spends six or more months of the year up here. Subsequently, I know a lot of folk that employ something of this nature for their diesel powered pick-me-ups:

Espar - Coolant Heaters - Eberspächer

x2!
Espar makes some amazing products. I use another model from Espar to heat the cabs and sleepers of semi's. These things use extremely little battery power and less than a gallon of fuel in a 10hour period. They are pricey but depending upon your needs can be well worth it.

[dustman_stx]

Originally Posted by kandl

Actually, there were very specific reasons why Chrysler put coil springs in the rear suspension of their 1/2 ton trucks. And, pretty much the same logic applies to Chrysler's recent production of 3/4 ton Ram trucks with... coil spring in the rear! Coil springs can be engineered to match or exceed the load carrying capacity of leaf springs. One only need ponder the cars of a passing freight train to truly appreciate the load carrying capacity of a coil spring.

Coil and leaf springs have been around for ages. Why is it that leaf springs have always been the preferred type for rear axles on trucks? My understanding is that coil spring setups are more prone to rocking side to side. I am thinking that Dodge even specifically states not to install truck bed campers on theirs because of this. Also seems like the payload ratings on the Dodge 1500 took a dive when going to coil springs??? Not sure about the 2500.

[Kaadk]

Originally Posted by dustman_stx

Coil and leaf springs have been around for ages. Why is it that leaf springs have always been the preferred type for rear axles on trucks? My understanding is that coil spring setups are more prone to rocking side to side. I am thinking that Dodge even specifically states not to install truck bed campers on theirs because of this. Also seems like the payload ratings on the Dodge 1500 took a dive when going to coil springs??? Not sure about the 2500.

My 1500 is one of those that's not recommended for truck campers, but I assumed that was due to the Ramboxes. Despite being not recommended, elsewhere in my paperwork is documentation for how to ensure a truck camper's centre of gravity is directly over the rear axle.

[dustman_stx]

Originally Posted by Kaadk

My 1500 is one of those that's not recommended for truck campers, but I assumed that was due to the Ramboxes. Despite being not recommended, elsewhere in my paperwork is documentation for how to ensure a truck camper's centre of gravity is directly over the rear axle.

Maybe they're saying, "We don't recommend it, but if you're gonna do it anyway, here's how…"

[jimmac28]

Actually the Ram rear suspension is much more than coil springs, its four link with a panhard bar. Its a very good suspension much better than a leaf springs.

[davel1971]

Originally Posted by jimmac28

Actually the Ram rear suspension is much more than coil springs, its four link with a panhard bar. Its a very good suspension much better than a leaf springs.

You have to have 4 links with coil springs otherwise you would lose the axle. It doesn't make it better, it makes it not fall out

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[jimmac28]

Originally Posted by davel1971

You have to have 4 links with coil springs otherwise you would lose the axle. It doesn't make it better, it makes it not fall out

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No you can use a truck arm which is more common, four link/bar is the hot setup with a panhard bar and sway bar, is the best for a solid rear axel.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by jimmac28

No you can use a truck arm which is more common, four link/bar is the hot setup with a panhard bar and sway bar, is the best for a solid rear axel.

4 link and a Jacobs ladder (Robert's Link) is best for a solid rear axle like a sprint car has.

[jimmac28]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

4 link and a Jacobs ladder (Robert's Link) is best for a solid rear axle like a sprint car has.

Ya but what about all that stager you'll have, all you can make is left turns.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by jimmac28

Ya but what about all that stager you'll have, all you can make is left turns.

No stagger if you run the same size tires. BTW, who wants to turn right except to correct the slide?

The Jacobs ladder (Roberts Link) makes the frame work straight up and down where the panhard bar does not.

[SKnight]

Originally Posted by jimmac28

Actually the Ram rear suspension is much more than coil springs, its four link with a panhard bar. Its a very good suspension much better than a leaf springs.

And much more expensive to produce at a strength to control the rated weight. It's a truck, let it ride like a truck, that's why leaf springs have won over the years.

Customers finally won out, now they have a strong suspension that actually rides nice.

[kandl]

Originally Posted by davel1971

You have to have 4 links with coil springs otherwise you would lose the axle. It doesn't make it better, it makes it not fall out

Not exactly...

The General produced a line of trucks in the late 60s that incorporated coil springs with a three-link system. Two trailing arms mounted to the frame and connected to the axle and a track bar (panhard for the french connection types). The trucks actually handled quite well until something was dumped into the bed. The system did not work well loaded and the trucks wallowed badly. The coil sprung GM pickups disappeared in 1970.

[davel1971]

either way, you need a series of arms to hold the axle in place with coil springs and none of it has a place in a truck