|
|
04-04-2023, 10:28 AM
|
#1
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Where ever the boss says we're going.
Posts: 16,124
|
GM files patent for tow assist to increase capacity
Interesting since there are similar types of dollies out there.
From RV Business:
GM has filed a patent application for a new tow assist system capable of providing a vehicle with greater towing capacity, according to a posting at GMAuthority.com.
https://rvbusiness.com/gm-seeks-pate...wing-capacity/
__________________
DISNEY LOVERS
|
|
|
04-04-2023, 10:39 AM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Owens Cross Roads
Posts: 3,224
|
Would like to see the video of them backing that into a site
|
|
|
04-04-2023, 10:42 AM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: North Texas
Posts: 3,604
|
I had thought a patent couldn't be issued for items like this that already exists. Perhaps the motor inside... of course they have motors inside for smaller similar setups to move an RV (or other trailer). ~CA
__________________
2010 GreyHawk 31SS
|
|
|
04-04-2023, 10:44 AM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Where ever the boss says we're going.
Posts: 16,124
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by RPR
Would like to see the video of them backing that into a site��
|
Based on the last picture it looks like you might walk it in using the dolly with the tow vehicle disconnected. It talks about having internal batteries.
__________________
DISNEY LOVERS
|
|
|
04-04-2023, 11:21 AM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Kingman, AZ
Posts: 1,991
|
Seems like that would be considered towing "doubles". In Arizona you can only tow a second trailer if the first trailer is a 5th wheel.
__________________
Lee & Kathy, and our alarm clock Jake!
2017 Starcraft Autumn Ridge 266RKS 50 amp.
2017 Toyota Tundra Crewmax 4x4, 10-1-2021
|
|
|
04-04-2023, 12:07 PM
|
#6
|
Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: James Island, SC
Posts: 22,861
|
What hath God wrought? Samuel Morse
__________________
Moderator
2011- 351RLTS Eagle, MorRyde suspension/pin box,
2017- F350 6.7 PSD Lariat FX4,SRW, SB,CC
Hughes PWD SP-50A, TST TPMS
Gator roll-up bed cover
B&W Turnover ball, Companion Std hitch
Can't find what you're looking on JOF? Try Jayco Owners Forum Custom Google Search
|
|
|
04-04-2023, 01:43 PM
|
#7
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: DFW
Posts: 2,229
|
Wasn’t something like this available many years back for large travel trailers? It’s an interesting concept and I can see it’s place, but GCVWR is still a thing. This would open the door for some interesting stuff. I can nearly picture the “Can I Tow This” threads in 5 years.
I have this electric car with amazing torque and considering a 2028 Pinnacle Bunk House. Can I tow it with this device?
__________________
2017 Eagle HT 26.5BHS Sold
2019 Eagle 321RSTS Sold
2024 Grand Design 310GK
2024 Chevy 3500HD DRW
|
|
|
04-04-2023, 01:54 PM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: North Texas
Posts: 3,604
|
Keep in mind that some (maybe many) companies file patents to keep something off of the market, or to profit from the patent if some other company wants to produce such a product. In this case, I can't see this as being a big seller, but who knows. ~CA
__________________
2010 GreyHawk 31SS
|
|
|
04-04-2023, 02:33 PM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 9,784
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by craigav
I had thought a patent couldn't be issued for items like this that already exists. Perhaps the motor inside... of course they have motors inside for smaller similar setups to move an RV (or other trailer). ~CA
|
I think the big difference with this design is that it has electric drive motors that can handle highway speeds. Curious how it matches TV speed.
|
|
|
04-04-2023, 02:59 PM
|
#10
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2021
Location: Alden
Posts: 10
|
Are we sure that this wasn't aimed at April 1st?
__________________
|
|
|
04-04-2023, 03:08 PM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2023
Location: Panama City Beach
Posts: 150
|
This sounds like something designed by yet, another "engineer" in an office with no windows that hasn't a clue what the real profiles of a camper, towing a camper or staging a camper into a campsite is all about. I see a runaway camper event happening here. Outside of the perfect scenario, whiplash will happen way before they reach the first campsite. I wonder if it includes trailer brakes for the times it isn't connected to the TV.
__________________
Don & April
"Bugsie" the Lab
2022 Melbourne Prestige
Retired @ PCB
|
|
|
04-04-2023, 03:29 PM
|
#12
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: near Englewood, FL (South of Venice)
Posts: 1,243
|
It would give 5th wheel owners there truck bed back.
I can't tell from the last sentence if the trailer brakes can be operated from the tow assist unit, or just the unit has brakes.
That's enough of that - I'll never own one.
|
|
|
04-04-2023, 03:32 PM
|
#13
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Kingman AZ and where our Seneca is today.
Posts: 3,121
|
Hmmm Six Axles means a CDL in many states.
I wonder how that can work in a strong cross-wind?
__________________
Steve & Stacy with Jasper (Australian Cattle dog)
2015 Seneca 36FK
Custom 27' flatbed trailer hauling:
07 Toyota FJC & Yamaha Kodiak 400 ATV
|
|
|
04-04-2023, 03:45 PM
|
#14
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2023
Location: Panama City Beach
Posts: 150
|
This will never make it to the market. One trip through the toll both would bankrupt you. And, when you get pulled over at 2AM in the middle of nowhere, Buford T. Justice will own you!
__________________
Don & April
"Bugsie" the Lab
2022 Melbourne Prestige
Retired @ PCB
|
|
|
04-05-2023, 10:39 AM
|
#15
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Whitby Ontario
Posts: 576
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by route 66 traveler
seems like that would be considered towing "doubles". In arizona you can only tow a second trailer if the first trailer is a 5th wheel.
|
In Ontario you need a class A CDL to double tow
YES ALREADY EXISTS https://www.safetytowingsystems.com/
|
|
|
04-05-2023, 11:50 AM
|
#16
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: SE Wisconsin
Posts: 3,431
|
Interesting comments. Clearly few have actually read the article and why this one is different. No it's not an April Fools joke. The GM Authority article is dated 3/25.
Will it become a "thing"? Probably not for a variety of reasons. Not the least of which could I see GM even marketing something like this. But it is an interesting concept. Several of the engineers that designed it are also at the forefront of EV technology. I'm thinking that's what the motivation behind this is.
Offloading payload and GCVWR are the first things that come to mind. Then consider what it's motive capabilities are and how that may increase the range of an EV truck. The biggest barrier to convince anyone that buying an EV to tow with is a good idea is lack of towing range. And yes, GCVWR could be less of an issue with any TV because this thing has its own power. The TV would not be the sole power and weight bearing part of the rig.
The physics of this and the possibilities are fascinating.
__________________
Chuck
2013 Jayco Jayfeather X20 E (sold)
2016 Chevy Silverado LTZ 2 Z71 Crew Cab (sold, and dearly missed)
|
|
|
04-05-2023, 01:37 PM
|
#17
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: near Englewood, FL (South of Venice)
Posts: 1,243
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by DocBrown
Interesting comments. Clearly few have actually read the article and why this one is different. No it's not an April Fools joke. The GM Authority article is dated 3/25.
Will it become a "thing"? Probably not for a variety of reasons. Not the least of which could I see GM even marketing something like this. But it is an interesting concept. Several of the engineers that designed it are also at the forefront of EV technology. I'm thinking that's what the motivation behind this is.
Offloading payload and GCVWR are the first things that come to mind. Then consider what it's motive capabilities are and how that may increase the range of an EV truck. The biggest barrier to convince anyone that buying an EV to tow with is a good idea is lack of towing range. And yes, GCVWR could be less of an issue with any TV because this thing has its own power. The TV would not be the sole power and weight bearing part of the rig.
The physics of this and the possibilities are fascinating.
|
You're probably on-the-money with this one. They know it's worthless to market to us, but in a generation or two you might not be able to buy a vehicle with a big internal combustion engine for non-commercial use.
|
|
|
04-05-2023, 02:49 PM
|
#18
|
Member
Join Date: Jul 2022
Location: Castle Rock
Posts: 34
|
Everything old is new again.
Lucy and Desi used a two-wheeled version and it is well-obvious during the garage scene when Desi was outfitting the Mercury.
|
|
|
04-05-2023, 06:45 PM
|
#19
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Michigan
Posts: 2,650
|
Guess this is what it will take to pull a trailer in the future. Since we all see how bad the range is for EV pickups is its this or no towing. This thing sounds like a plane tug which only cost $15-20k for this weight range, add more battery for road use and cost is over the top, no thanks to this and EV pickups.
|
|
|
04-05-2023, 06:59 PM
|
#20
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2023
Location: Panama City Beach
Posts: 150
|
A few years and tears ago...and a short few...I said, "once the millennials reach management position (or close to) you're gonna see this world get turned upside down". They seem to have made it to that position with GM. This is the most ridiculous ideas I've seen in years. I think they're getting ready for the death of the full-size, fossil fuel burning, ball bustin' pickup truck. And, they know one single source of reliability will not replace it.
__________________
Don & April
"Bugsie" the Lab
2022 Melbourne Prestige
Retired @ PCB
|
|
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Threads |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|