"Larry Jaques" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 13 Mar 2008 14:33:05 GMT, with neither quill nor qualm, "Pete
C." quickly quoth:


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.

Again you offer statements without proof. Cites? I spent a few
minutes and didn't find it.

http://www.cars.com/go/crp/buyingGui...r=New#sa fety

"A pickup truck's typically lopsided weight distribution is an inherent
shortcoming. When the cargo box is empty, most of the weight is in the
front - yet the drive wheels are in the rear. (For the purposes of this
safety examination, all pickup trucks have rear-wheel drive as a base. The
all-wheel-drive Honda Ridgeline is a notable exception.) This requires the
lighter end to push the heavier end, which leads easily to fishtailing on
slick road surfaces. The remedies are far from perfect. Adding weight to the
cargo floor above the rear axle can help, but it requires foresight. The
added weight can either improve braking or extend the stopping distance,
depending in part on the road surface; one can't predict which."