Larry Jaques wrote:

On Thu, 13 Mar 2008 13:47:25 GMT, with neither quill nor qualm, "Pete
C." quickly quoth:


Dan wrote:

The rating of the brakes also plays in to the GVW.

Yes, but for a pickup in particular, the braking gets better with more
weight due to the much improved rear wheel traction.

Not true at all.

Yes, it is true, and it has been proven numerous times in actual
testing. Empty pickups have terrible weight distribution and the
addition of cargo in the rear greatly improves the weight distribution
and braking traction available from the rear wheels. Pretty much every
test ever done on pickup truck braking has shown shorter stopping
distances when significant cargo was placed in the bed.

Cites, please? The advantage pretty much goes away when the weight
shifts as the front brakes grab and the front end dives.

Dig around on the sites of any group that does auto testing, popular
mechanics, motorweek, probably even consumer reports.

Weight shifts to the front with or without cargo under heavy braking,
and any cargo weight in the rear still adds traction weight over no
cargo. Stopping distances are always shorter for a pickup when a camper
is loaded for example.