Tow rating - SAE J2807

[Trace26]

I need seeing comments about tow rating and thought I'd shed some light on this.
The tow rating isn't the max weight before it explodes.
In the US tow rating is based on the SAE J2807.
You'll see tow rates are much higher for the same car in Europe vs the US. Example: the Chevy Sonic tow rating in Europe is 2,000 lbs (907 kg), where as in the US market it has no tow rating. Same exact car.
I'm going to have 0 hesitation to tow my 2000lbs trailer. But I'm going to monitor power draw and temperatures and only go as fast that all that stays in a safe limits. Won't be doing 75 in the Nevada desert.


https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/1502-sae-j2807-tow-tests-the-standard

 

[Dorbiman]

The only thing I’d want is at least a plug and play trailer harness. Hopefully a flat 4 connector is standard or easy to retrofit

 

[Driven5]

The tow ratings are different because the towing practices are different.

European tow ratings and trailer designs are based on European regulations. Part of that is lower tongue weights, only 4%-7% there vs 10%-15% here, and the resulting lower trailering speeds (50mph) to mitigate the corresponding reduction in stability.

Do not combine European tow ratings with American towing practices.

 

[Trace26]

The tow ratings are different because the towing practices are different.

European tow ratings and trailer designs are based on European regulations. Part of that is lower tongue weights, only 4%-7% there vs 10%-15% here, and the resulting lower trailering speeds (50mph) to mitigate the corresponding reduction in stability.

Do not combine European tow ratings with American towing practices.

You are exactly right! You said the second half of my post better than I did.

I have a Chevy 2500 with a 10,000 tow rating and I still do 50 towing a 2000lbs trailer. Haha

 

[1yeliab_sufur1]

Really it’s also how you load your trailer for safer towing let’s say you had a 20 foot trailer and a riding mower about 1,000 to 2,500 your not going to put that at the back of the trailer by the gate because it will start fishtailing so I think we will need to look at both towing capacity and the towing safety because as long as a vehicle can move the trailer it can tow it now it comes to stopping power and frame strain