Optomistic Towing Capacity

Trying to figure out how the different manufacturers come to decide how they spec their tow ratings. Not going to look at full size trucks but to compate 3 comparible mid size. I have the Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport with the 4.0L V6 and have a trailer sitting out in the back 40 that I am dying to start using so I can put all of my doubts to rest but this does make me curious

Toyota Tacoma 4.0 V6 TRD w/ towing package - 236hp/266Tq @ 6500lbs
Nissan Frontier 4.0 V6 w/ towing package - 261hp/281Tq @ 6100lbs
GMC Canyon 5.3 V8 w/towing package - 300hp/320Tq @ 6000lbs

Toyota has the lowest power ratings but the highest capacity, what gives?

 

Power doesn't equal towing capacity.

 

You also have to factory in weight distribution, stability, and braking

 

Wasn't there an article on here that talked about tow rating? How there currently is no industry standard to set tow limits. So manufacturers can put pretty much what they want, and the limits they set are based on what the competition has theirs set at.
The article also stated that in the coming years there will be an industry standard, and that there will be certain criteria and tests the vehicles will go through (ie, starting and accelerating on an incline was one test).

 

Also consider other things like cooling - transmission & engine cooling capacity, battery & alternator ratings for trailers with electric brakes, transmission gearing & gears, rear differential gearing, all contribute to a tow rating on top of the trucks ability to reduce sway and handle the load.

Also, consider the weight of the vehicle in question. Consider the Tacoma weighs something like 400-500 pounds less than the Frontier so it has better to equivilent power to weight ratio's, and also consider that power at the crank is not representative neccessarily of power at the rear wheels. Peak HP numbers also do not tell you about efficiency at other RPM's i.e. flat torque curves, etc.. Toyota is known for producing efficient drive trains compared to the competition.
There are all sorts of little factors to consider aside from just a few numbers on paper. That is why there are more than just power ratings mentioned in specs.

 

2 main considerations are -
1. Safety
2. Ability to shed excess heat from the trans, engine, steering system, and brakes.