HSV Silverado 1500 Arrives in March.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

And they have a proper wheelbase, where the load area isn't hanging out beyond the rear axle.

The engineers that build the utes you turn your nose up at do know a thing or two about building cars. Yet to see one, unmodified and loaded within limits, have any dramas. Any issues are from cars being modified or overloaded.

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by prydey

The engineers that build the utes you turn your nose up at do know a thing or two about building cars. Yet to see one, unmodified and loaded within limits, have any dramas. Any issues are from cars being modified or overloaded.

Have you actually stopped and looked out how a 5th wheel is attached to one of thee Thai utes.
Not so much a problem with bumper hitches (ie caravans which I'M NOT REFERING TO) I'm refering to an very specific application which a longer wheelbase pick up suits.
These short wheelbase Thai utes have problems with gooseneck trailer and 5th wheels as the hitch pivot point are usually mounted to close to the back of the cab which forces operators to buy a sliding hitch arrangement for when they need to manoeuvre at close quarters.
As with any articulated vehicle the pivot point should be slightly forward of the rear axle, if it was a longer wheelbase the 5th wheels front corners would not interfere with the swing arc of the pivot area necessary for parking at close quarters. Instead they have to remember to slide the pivot back behind the rear axle to allow clearance of the trailers corners. seems like such a stupid arrangement to me but hey maybe they'll know on that caravan forum.

I have much a dislike for Thai 4 door utes as you have for Dodge RAMs, Silverado's and F 1500-3500.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

Have you actually stopped and looked out how a 5th wheel is attached to one of thee Thai utes.
Not so much a problem with bumper hitches (ie caravans which I'M NOT REFERING TO) I'm refering to an very specific application which a longer wheelbase pick up suits.
These short wheelbase Thai utes have problems with gooseneck trailer and 5th wheels as the hitch pivot point are usually mounted to close to the back of the cab which forces operators to buy a sliding hitch arrangement for when they need to manoeuvre at close quarters.
As with any articulated vehicle the pivot point should be slightly forward of the rear axle, if it was a longer wheelbase the 5th wheels front corners would not interfere with the swing arc of the pivot area necessary for parking at close quarters. Instead they have to remember to slide the pivot back behind the rear axle to allow clearance of the trailers corners. seems like such a stupid arrangement to me but hey maybe they'll know on that caravan forum.

I have much a dislike for Thai 4 door utes as you have for Dodge RAMs, Silverado's and F 1500-3500.

All that was not mentioned in your original post that I quoted...

and I don't have a dislike of any of the vehicles you mention. I only speak up when the RAM1500 is put forward as a superior towing vehicle, to draw people's attention to the fact that from a legal standpoint it has a low rear axle rating. That is all.

[smoo]

Originally Posted by prydey

All that was not mentioned in your original post that I quoted...

and I don't have a dislike of any of the vehicles you mention. I only speak up when the RAM1500 is put forward as a superior towing vehicle, to draw people's attention to the fact that from a legal standpoint it has a low rear axle rating. That is all.

Except from a legal stand point, the Thai Utes aren't much better as in leeway to GCM so that is a moot point.
And yes I would consider the 1500 to be a superior tow vehicle.
Decent petrol that won't be struggling on hills or head wind like these small diesels.
Larger dimensions and curb weight means a 3.5 trailer won't over come it as easy as a smaller ute.
When the **** hits the fan while pulling 3.5 tonne and you get a bit of a sway on the Rams larger weight, wheel base, track, bigger wheels and tyres could be the difference between saving it or ending up in the bush or infront of oncoming traffic.
But this topic has been covered several times in the last year or so.

Social media pages sees Ram owners moved from LC200 and dual cab Thai specials and they haven't looked back.

[XR Martin]

From all reports the petrol Ram doesn't use any more fuel towing than a diesel Landcruiser.

And neither does the V8 Patrol for that matter.

[chevypower]

Originally Posted by prydey

All that was not mentioned in your original post that I quoted...

and I don't have a dislike of any of the vehicles you mention. I only speak up when the RAM1500 is put forward as a superior towing vehicle, to draw people's attention to the fact that from a legal standpoint it has a low rear axle rating. That is all.

That seemed to happen when Ram switched from a leaf sprung rear axle to coils. But the new gen 1500 has switched from a 5 lug to a 6 lug axle, and it seems to have a much larger RGAWR now.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by chevypower

That seemed to happen when Ram switched from a leaf sprung rear axle to coils. But the new gen 1500 has switched from a 5 lug to a 6 lug axle, and it seems to have a much larger RGAWR now.

If correct then that's a good thing. Nice when manufacturers take notice of negatives and fix them in future models.