GM files patent for tow assist to increase capacity

[Grumpy]

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/

[RPR]

Would like to see the video of them backing that into a site��

[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

[Grumpy]

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.

[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.

[norty1]

What hath God wrought? Samuel Morse

[TxLoser]

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?

[craigav]

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

[Jagiven]

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.

[davidrambo500]

Are we sure that this wasn't aimed at April 1st?

[The Gritz Carlton]

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.

[OnTheGo]

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.

[SloPoke]

Hmmm Six Axles means a CDL in many states.

I wonder how that can work in a strong cross-wind?

[The Gritz Carlton]

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!

[billcf7]

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/

[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.

[OnTheGo]

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.

[Lazierfan]

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.

[Sundancer330]

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.

[The Gritz Carlton]

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.