Posted 2007-07-17 1:33 PM (#64031 - in reply to #64024) Subject: RE: Tow Buddy
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
I looked at their website and noticed some interesting things...
Model TB 4,000 lb pin weight rating
23,000 lb pulling weight rating
TB weight approximately 1,000 lbs
Class V – The XDR – Xtra Duty Receiver - the heaviest rated 2" receiver hitch in the industry. The XDR Series Class V receiver hitches can handle the BIG loads...up to 15,000 pounds with 16,000 pound weight distribution and tongue weights up to 1,600 pounds. (As part of the XDR Series, we have produced a complete line of accessories including ball mounts and pintle mounts to help you maximize your towing system.) The XDR is made for only the toughest SUV’s and pickup trucks on the market today.
The hitch they advertise will only handle 15000 pounds...but they claim their Tow Buddy can handle 23000 pounds...anyone know where the other 7000 pounds will be handled between the hitch and the TB???
Posted 2007-07-17 2:44 PM (#64034 - in reply to #64031) Subject: RE: Tow Buddy
Expert
Posts: 1416 Location: sc
Originally written by PaulChristenson on 2007-07-17 1:33 PM
The hitch they advertise will only handle 15000 pounds...but they claim their Tow Buddy can handle 23000 pounds...anyone know where the other 7000 pounds will be handled between the hitch and the TB???
thats not their concern, im sure there are disclaimers about not exceeding you trucks capacity. i suspect a custom hitch shop could take care of that extra 7k, if someone was so inclined.
Posted 2007-07-17 6:22 PM (#64048 - in reply to #64024) Subject: RE: Tow Buddy
Veteran
Posts: 148 Location: South of Dallas
I saw one of these a few months back. Some guy was transporting two goose-necks. I was intrigued. Would be interesting to talk with someone that actually hauled a loaded trailer with one. I think I'd be a little squeemish about it.
Posted 2007-07-18 12:59 PM (#64067 - in reply to #64048) Subject: RE: Tow Buddy
Expert
Posts: 1391 Location: North of Detroit, MI
I agree - so far as using it to haul 2 goosenecks (empty) - it makes sense; however, I don't think I want to worry about yet another set of tires/ axles when hauling live animals. Nor do I want to even consider the additional articulation. Heck - I'm just now learning how and where my rig bends ... why add a third element to it?
The numbers don't add up for me either. 4k in pin weight; 23,000 pounds; a receiver for 15k? I think my GN hitch has a pin weight well over 6500 pounds - I don't ever expect to get that high.
Posted 2007-07-18 7:55 PM (#64087 - in reply to #64024) Subject: RE: Tow Buddy
Veteran
Posts: 193 Location: White Pine, TN
Since the Buddy puts little weight on the tow vehicle I would think you're more apt to get stuck in lousy weather. One of the testimonials stated it was so great in crapy weather and snow. I'd want weight on my truck in snow woulnd't I?
Posted 2007-07-20 9:03 PM (#64187 - in reply to #64024) Subject: RE: Tow Buddy
New User
Posts: 1
Location: Santa Rosa, CA
The installation pdf states that the stabilizer (at least on the dodge) mounts using the same holes that mount the receiver to the frame. Wouldnt this connection to the frame increase towing capacity beyond that of the receiver? Also, what was the reader's comment about the hitch they market having a 15K capacity? They do have a disclosure advising against using a trailer that exceeds the weight distribution hitch capacity of the receiver. But they state "Tow Buddy qualifies for the slightly higher ratings posted by most receiver hitch manufacturers when a weight distribution system
is used."
Posted 2007-07-22 5:07 PM (#64230 - in reply to #64187) Subject: RE: Tow Buddy
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Originally written by rpopkin on 2007-07-20 10:03 PM
The installation pdf states that the stabilizer (at least on the dodge) mounts using the same holes that mount the receiver to the frame. Wouldnt this connection to the frame increase towing capacity beyond that of the receiver? Also, what was the reader's comment about the hitch they market having a 15K capacity? They do have a disclosure advising against using a trailer that exceeds the weight distribution hitch capacity of the receiver. But they state "Tow Buddy qualifies for the slightly higher ratings posted by most receiver hitch manufacturers when a weight distribution system is used."
I don't care if the installation manual states that the Tow Buddy qualifies for the slightly higher ratings posted by most receiver hitch manufacturers when a weight distribution system is used...because 7K is not slightly higher...its alot higher!!!
Tow Buddy
