Show us your tow rigs!

[CaptRedbeard]

Still waiting for someone to show me an example of this. IMO, telling someone this is fearmongering at least, and an outright lie a worst.

It's just internet lore people keep repeating. Someone knew someone, that heard it happen to someone somewhere one time.

Well, I guess I have to stand (semi) corrected on this. I did some additional reading and apparently it varies from policy to policy and there are stories of over-capacity tow vehicles in accidents both being covered and also being denied coverage. Depends on many factors including policy verbiage and adjusters mood that day apparently. It’s definitely not cut and dry like I stated earlier, though.

That said, I did find this insight from an ex-salesman from State Farm.

I use to sell insurance for State Farm. We had a insured that had an accident while towing. The truck was overloaded beyond the stated capacity. The trail lawyer for the injured party was able thru research and interviews. Establish that our insured both knowingly and willfully exceeded his trucks capacity. Long story short. State Farm denied his claim. I'm not saying they were right for doing that but they had just cause presented to them during the trial.

One thing I have learned in my many professions. How will it sound when you have to explain yourself in court or on an accident report. Will it sound better to say i had taken every precaution or that i cut a few corners. That has thus far kept me out of trouble.

Knowing that, along with the myriad other ways it could damage your vehicle and/or injure other people, I don’t think anyone should want to put themselves in that position. I’m not sure that it’s the best look for you two to seemingly choose to side with someone who is knowingly towing over their vehicle’s capacity and putting others at risk. My two cents.

 

[Babin Farms]

I would think that if you were towing 10k with a vehicle that’s only rated for 5k that they wouldn’t cover damages because of knowingly having yer head up yer a$$, but towing slightly over capacity they’d more than likely cover damages. It’s not like the average Joe takes his truck/boat/trailer down to the CAT scale and get the whole thing weighed and don’t think that it’s expected.

Just my .02

 

[2kwik4u]

I’m not sure that it’s the best look for you two to seemingly choose to side with someone who is knowingly towing over their vehicle’s capacity and putting others at risk.

Let me be crystal clear here.......I'm not siding with anyone that knowingly tows over the limit, or beyond their personal capability.

I am a big proponent of factual information, and appropriate warnings. Spreading misinformation doesn't help anyone.

Also, to continue on the clarity train.......I'm also for tort reform and personal responsibility. Someone tows over the limit, I think their liability insurance should make the others affected whole, and if they did it knowingly, deny any kind of comprehensive/collision/etc. coverage. I'm not saying I disagree with the logic, just how the facts are presented.

 

[Murf'n'surf]

It's just internet lore people keep repeating. Someone knew someone, that heard it happen to someone somewhere one time.

If there is an investigation into an accident and you are noted to be towing above capacity, I see it very plausible that a party will hold you responsible for such. Your insurance company at that point will most likely start to put more of the fault on you but would likely still cover you. If this over capacity non coverage was legit, insurance companies would not cover people who are speeding and involved in an accident.

 

[Emptytemples]

IMO and personal experiences most insurance companies will find reasons to not cover a claim. From personal experiences, experiences in our trucking company with freight claims etc. I think it would depend on the insurance company their verbiage and current year's loss runs .

Also, I love the idea of a diesel for towing but then again being in the trucking industry, the new diesels with the emissions systems and regulations are a complete disaster. Unless the govt scraps the regs and enables deletes or manufacturers to rid trucks of these systems, I would stay clear of daily driver diesels. That's my .02 and hope it helps someone avoid headaches with the newer diesel vehicles. For anyone that has the diesel and for the family with the diesel above, I hope you don't have any issues with them.

I was thinking about replacing my 2016 F250 with a gas engine. I've heard a lot about issues with the 6.2 GM engines, the diesels i'd like to avoid for reasons stated above.

Anyone like the Tundras? I was thinking about replacing my wife's car soon and she likes the 4 Runner which tows a max of 6,000lbs. I'm not sure what options it needs to do so but it could technically then tow the AR250 or be right at/over the limit with trailer, fuel gear, and 10% buffer.

 

[Neutron]

IMO and personal experiences most insurance companies will find reasons to not cover a claim. From personal experiences, experiences in our trucking company with freight claims etc. I think it would depend on the insurance company their verbiage and current year's loss runs .

Also, I love the idea of a diesel for towing but then again being in the trucking industry, the new diesels with the emissions systems and regulations are a complete disaster. Unless the govt scraps the regs and enables deletes or manufacturers to rid trucks of these systems, I would stay clear of daily driver diesels. That's my .02 and hope it helps someone avoid headaches with the newer diesel vehicles. For anyone that has the diesel and for the family with the diesel above, I hope you don't have any issues with them.

I was thinking about replacing my 2016 F250 with a gas engine. I've heard a lot about issues with the 6.2 GM engines, the diesels i'd like to avoid for reasons stated above.

Anyone like the Tundras? I was thinking about replacing my wife's car soon and she likes the 4 Runner which tows a max of 6,000lbs. I'm not sure what options it needs to do so but it could technically then tow the AR250 or be right at/over the limit with trailer, fuel gear, and 10% buffer.

The new 4runner looks great but if you need seating for adults in the back seat forget it, don't know what they are thinking with the new taco and 4runner. Unless you put the front seats all the way forward you aren't getting much leg room in the back.
I thought is was weird with the taco and just figured they would have a crew max option but no the back seat is for golf clubs only i guess.

The tundra lost leg room as well in the back seat but is tolerable. Gas mileage still sucks with the V6 turbo and the "hybrid" turbo still sucks. My neighbor gets a little better than my 2020 tundra with a 5.7 V8 and he has they hybrid.

I was a big fan of Toyota till lately their reliability has tanked dramatically.

 

[Mr. Boh]

... Unless the govt scraps the regs and enables deletes or manufacturers to rid trucks of these systems, I would stay clear of daily driver diesels. That's my .02 and hope it helps someone avoid headaches with the newer diesel vehicles. For anyone that has the diesel and for the family with the diesel above, I hope you don't have any issues with them.

I agree with you fully - You might find the premise of the F150 Powerboost interesting. The transmission has two inputs (a turbocharged gas engine and an electric motor) together they drive the traditional output. Cool thing happening here is electric motors are good at providing torque and low end grunt, where gas engines traditionally struggle. As an added perk you get some pretty cool quality of life features. Ex The gas engine can spin the motor as a generator and you can power your whole house with 7.2kw! Even when driving the hybrid features add comfort etc. if nothing changes drastically to diesel emissions I think Powerboost inspired engineering designs will rule the day.

 

[zackmorris]

IMO and personal experiences most insurance companies will find reasons to not cover a claim. From personal experiences, experiences in our trucking company with freight claims etc. I think it would depend on the insurance company their verbiage and current year's loss runs .

Also, I love the idea of a diesel for towing but then again being in the trucking industry, the new diesels with the emissions systems and regulations are a complete disaster. Unless the govt scraps the regs and enables deletes or manufacturers to rid trucks of these systems, I would stay clear of daily driver diesels. That's my .02 and hope it helps someone avoid headaches with the newer diesel vehicles. For anyone that has the diesel and for the family with the diesel above, I hope you don't have any issues with them.

I was thinking about replacing my 2016 F250 with a gas engine. I've heard a lot about issues with the 6.2 GM engines, the diesels i'd like to avoid for reasons stated above.

Anyone like the Tundras? I was thinking about replacing my wife's car soon and she likes the 4 Runner which tows a max of 6,000lbs. I'm not sure what options it needs to do so but it could technically then tow the AR250 or be right at/over the limit with trailer, fuel gear, and 10% buffer.

The 6.2 GM engines are definitely plagued. I spun the main bearings and seized the engine in my escalade v series at 1,500 miles. It was down for 4 months waiting on a new engine.

Just yesterday, they finally announced a recall on all 6.2 L87 engines for inspection and if necessary replacement-- or just putting thicker oil in it. Way to go GM.

Ive had good luck so far with my ram 2500. 10k miles in about 6 months. We'll see if/when the DPF starts acting up, but it seems as though every new vehicle these days are just piles of shit.

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

The 6.2 GM engines are definitely plagued. I spun the main bearings and seized the engine in my escalade v series at 1,500 miles. It was down for 4 months waiting on a new engine.

Just yesterday, they finally announced a recall on all 6.2 L87 engines for inspection and if necessary replacement-- or just putting thicker oil in it. Way to go GM.

Ive had good luck so far with my ram 2500. 10k miles in about 6 months. We'll see if/when the DPF starts acting up, but it seems as though every new vehicle these days are just piles of shit.

THEEE most important thing as far as your DPF is concerned is to let it finish the re gen process once it starts.

I run Amsoil cetane improver which increases the cetane and helps the fuel burn cleaner. There is another product I’m going to try in my tractor this year, FuelLift

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

The 6.2 GM engines are definitely plagued. I spun the main bearings and seized the engine in my escalade v series at 1,500 miles. It was down for 4 months waiting on a new engine.

Just yesterday, they finally announced a recall on all 6.2 L87 engines for inspection and if necessary replacement-- or just putting thicker oil in it. Way to go GM.

Ive had good luck so far with my ram 2500. 10k miles in about 6 months. We'll see if/when the DPF starts acting up, but it seems as though every new vehicle these days are just piles of shit.

https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/gm-recalling-nearly-600000-us-vehicles-over-engine-issue-2025-04-29/

 

[sbeassie]

https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/gm-recalling-nearly-600000-us-vehicles-over-engine-issue-2025-04-29/

I guess I'll be looking for my recall notice. Knock on wood I'm 20 months and 30K miles in my 6.2 and no issues so far. It seems most of the failures have been early as @zackmorris mentioned. I do check the oil regularly as excessive usage has been reported leading to failures.

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

I guess I'll be looking for my recall notice. Knock on wood I'm 20 months and 30K miles in my 6.2 and no issues so far. It seems most of the failures have been early as @zackmorris mentioned. I do check the oil regularly as excessive usage has been reported leading to failures.

I’m not much of a GM guy, but I hate seeing that kind of bad news. Don’t see how that’s possible in this day and age. I guess it just comes down to crappy parts and maybe shotty workmanship. Again all the vehicles have their problems, but I feel bad for GM having this one.

 

[sbeassie]

I’m not much of a GM guy, but I hate seeing that kind of bad news. Don’t see how that’s possible in this day and age. I guess it just comes down to crappy parts and maybe shotty workmanship. Again all the vehicles have their problems, but I feel bad for GM having this one.

I hear you. Even Toyota that is known for great reliability had the same issue of having to replace engines.

My big question is how are they going to "inspect" it without tearing into the engine? I guess an oil test report or looking for metal particles.

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

I hear you. Even Toyota that is known for great reliability had the same issue of having to replace engines.

My big question is how are they going to "inspect" it without tearing into the engine? I guess an oil test report or looking for metal particles.

There’s probably a series of tell tales experienced with other failures.

The Tundras are great vehicles for sure. I have three friends who have them and all of them have had zero problems.

 

[sbeassie]

There’s probably a series of tell tales experienced with other failures.

The Tundras are great vehicles for sure. I have three friends who have them and all of them have had zero problems.

I did some research and supposedly if diagnostic trouble code P0016 is present you need a new engine. This code indicates crankshaft/camshaft misalignment.
If the code is not present, they replace the oil with 0W-40 full synthetic and a new oil filler cap indicating the new oil is needed.
Here's the whole story:

Massive Recall Announced for GM 6.2L L87 V8 Engines in 2021–2024 Trucks and SUVs Due to Risk of Engine Failure | GM-Trucks.com

And yes, the old Toyota 5.7 is almost bullet proof. Just really bad gas mileage. My son has a 2014 with about 193K miles still going strong. Toyota problems started with the new twin turbo V6.

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

I did some research and supposedly if diagnostic trouble code P0016 is present you need a new engine. This code indicates crankshaft/camshaft misalignment.
If the code is not present, they replace the oil with 0W-40 full synthetic and a new oil filler cap indicating the new oil is needed.
Here's the whole story:

Massive Recall Announced for GM 6.2L L87 V8 Engines in 2021–2024 Trucks and SUVs Due to Risk of Engine Failure | GM-Trucks.com

And yes, the old Toyota 5.7 is almost bullet proof. Just really bad gas mileage. My son has a 2014 with about 193K miles still going strong. Toyota problems started with the new twin turbo V6.

Thanks! I’ll read up on that info.. a misaligned crank / cam is baaaad.. that is some more in depth than the rods breaking..

Yes the 5.7 got / get not very good mpg, but, they make good power, sound good, and as you say are bullet proof..

 

[Neutron]

And yes, the old Toyota 5.7 is almost bullet proof. Just really bad gas mileage. My son has a 2014 with about 193K miles still going strong. Toyota problems started with the new twin turbo V6.

I love my 2020 Tundra Limited, wouldn't trade it for anything. I get 16/17 mpg and dont mind higher if i am cruising on the highway for long periods.
I will keep it a long time because of the lack of reliability lately with the 2022 and newer models. I only have 45k on it because i dont have to drive to work anymore.

If i was in the market right now for a truck i really dont know what i would buy. Would be a very hard decision were as 5 years ago it would always be toyota