generubin
Electric Baja
I'm not sure why guys with 3/4 ton pickups are saying it's not safe to put a fully loaded FWC on a 1/2 ton. Lets remember there are many different configurations that these truck manufacturers are offering in thier 1/2 ton trucks. Most offer at least some of their trucks with a payload that are easily able to handle a fully FWC, including passengers and extra gear. I did the math before buying a new truck as well as ordering a new camper.
Have these alarmists actually read the specs that the manufactuers post before they make blanket statements that all 1/2 ton trucks with FWC's are unsafe before they post?
Apparently the vast majority of FWC owners are all unsafe and the truck manufactuers are wrong about their own trucks.
This post above is perfect timing after my yesterday's experience.
I've owned a FWC on a Toyota, and I have driven other people's FWC on 1/2 tons. 3/4 ton gets you nice things like a full floating axles for long bearing life, available diesels for great mpg (up to 20), solid front axle for better off road articulation and the wonderful security of loading the vehicle with plenty of margin.
But here is the real reason. With Tacomas and 1/2 tons the braking is inadequate. I put 3,000 miles in the arctic on a Chevy 1/2 ton that I would have to plan my stops in advance. Just yesterday I was returning from Carrizo Plain over a the mountain pass, came around a corner and there was a fallen bike rider in the road. I braked very heavily and stopped with room to spare. With a 1/2 ton's small brakes I might have squished him. Had I, I would have felt horrible, likely been PTSD'ed for life and if my truck was deemed overloaded by one pound (what if your math isn't perfect) in the investigation that would have followed, I would have been liable for his death. More than a few people on this site have started with 1/2 tons and switched to 3/4 tons. Just saying, margin for error is nice.
Have these alarmists actually read the specs that the manufactuers post before they make blanket statements that all 1/2 ton trucks with FWC's are unsafe before they post?
Apparently the vast majority of FWC owners are all unsafe and the truck manufactuers are wrong about their own trucks.
This post above is perfect timing after my yesterday's experience.
I've owned a FWC on a Toyota, and I have driven other people's FWC on 1/2 tons. 3/4 ton gets you nice things like a full floating axles for long bearing life, available diesels for great mpg (up to 20), solid front axle for better off road articulation and the wonderful security of loading the vehicle with plenty of margin.
But here is the real reason. With Tacomas and 1/2 tons the braking is inadequate. I put 3,000 miles in the arctic on a Chevy 1/2 ton that I would have to plan my stops in advance. Just yesterday I was returning from Carrizo Plain over a the mountain pass, came around a corner and there was a fallen bike rider in the road. I braked very heavily and stopped with room to spare. With a 1/2 ton's small brakes I might have squished him. Had I, I would have felt horrible, likely been PTSD'ed for life and if my truck was deemed overloaded by one pound (what if your math isn't perfect) in the investigation that would have followed, I would have been liable for his death. More than a few people on this site have started with 1/2 tons and switched to 3/4 tons. Just saying, margin for error is nice.