2. 2012 Construction Symposium Omni Dallas Hotel August 23, 2012 Robert J Krouse General Motors Trailering Engineer SAE Tow Vehicle Trailer Rating Committee Chairman

3. 2012 Construction Symposium What is Trailering? – Just another vehicle spec number? Torque, Horsepower, Cab-to-axle distance, Brake rotor size, payload, etc…and Trailer Weight Rating – Actually everything the vehicle already does… Launch, accelerate, maneuver, stop, etcall under more difficult conditions – Operator controls the setup – Many different trailer types

4. 2012 Construction Symposium Just a rating spec?

5. 2012 Construction Symposium And when we think weve found worst case…

6. 2012 Construction Symposium Rigorous Testing – Powertrain, Thermal, Dynamics & Structure

7. 2012 Construction Symposium Ratings Comparison Late 1990s2012 1/2 Ton Pickup7,50010,700 1-Ton Dually10,00018,000 1-Ton Dually Gooseneck 13,00022,800

8. 2012 Construction Symposium Trailer Weight Rating depends on what you carry as well as what you can pull Front Axle WtRear Axle Wt Gross Vehicle Weight Kingpin Wt (or Tongue Wt) Trailer Weight

9. 2012 Construction Symposium Overload is not good for any tow vehicle

10. 2012 Construction Symposium Industry Standardization (through SAE) – Specific test trailers and setup – Structural requirements – Launch, acceleration and highway gradeability (including thermal performance) – Understeer and sway damping – Stopping distance and park brake hold – Vehicle weight considerations

11. 2012 Construction Symposium SAE Tow Vehicle Trailer Rating Committee gathered its own handling data

12. 2012 Construction Symposium Weight Carrying & Weight Distributing Hitches – Many trucks have higher Trailer Weight Ratings with WD hitch

13. 2012 Construction Symposium Brake Performance – Stay out of the ditch (but on top of the cliff)

14. 2012 Construction Symposium Owner/Operator Role – Heed the ratings – Maintenance (truck and trailer) – Proper setup – Driving style (dont be in a hurry) – Proper equipment, including…

15. 2012 Construction Symposium The right truck