Question on the Dodge Trucks and towing capacity

I was reading a mag article a few weeks back (maybe Road & Track?)
where they did a head to head competition with the Ford F-150, the
Dodge 1500 with a Hemi, and the Nissan Titan. I think other trucks
were in there too (the Silverado comes to mind) but I wasn't as
interested in them.

The question I have was that I started looking at payload, and despite
the fact that the weight and rear ends of the truck all appeared
similar, and that the Dodge had a decided horsepower advantage (torque
too, but less so) the Dodges towing capacity was something like 7500
lbs while the Ford's and the Nissan's were 9900 and 9800 respectively.
My question is how can this be? It would seem if you have engine and
rear end parity, with close curb weights, the towing capacity should
follow. But the Dodge truck was significantly lower. My old 318 Jeep
has a 6500 lbs towing capacity (not that I'll be testing it any time
soon with its wheelbase).

Thanks!

Jim

 

| I was reading a mag article a few weeks back (maybe Road & Track?)
| where they did a head to head competition with the Ford F-150, the
| Dodge 1500 with a Hemi, and the Nissan Titan. I think other trucks
| were in there too (the Silverado comes to mind) but I wasn't as
| interested in them.
|
| The question I have was that I started looking at payload, and despite
| the fact that the weight and rear ends of the truck all appeared
| similar, and that the Dodge had a decided horsepower advantage (torque
| too, but less so) the Dodges towing capacity was something like 7500
| lbs while the Ford's and the Nissan's were 9900 and 9800 respectively.
| My question is how can this be? It would seem if you have engine and
| rear end parity, with close curb weights, the towing capacity should
| follow. But the Dodge truck was significantly lower. My old 318 Jeep
| has a 6500 lbs towing capacity (not that I'll be testing it any time
| soon with its wheelbase).
|
| Thanks!
|
| Jim

Perhaps the frame is lighter duty? Dunno... I had thought that the Dodge was
rated at 10,000...but I could be thinking of the diesel model

 

THe rating on the Nissan is ONLY with the special towing group, same for the
ford, the dodge rating is I believe the standard rating.
Larry