Tractor-Trailer Loads

From BattleTechWiki

These House Rules for Tractor-Trailers addresses a perceived need to increase the amount of cargo (or trailer) mass that can be hauled by a land tractor. Current rules state that a land tractor has a 1:1 tractor:cargo relationship (with the exception on rails), while in real life, modern land vehicles are routinely built and used to transport far heavier loads than they themselves mass.

[edit] Background

The Another try at TRO:VA and tractor/trailer rules thread on the Classic BattleTech forums sparked a discussion as to how the rules could be custom modified. Forum member Doc suggested the following rules as a possible method.

[edit] Rules

1) A wheeled or tracked tractor can pull up to 1x its own mass with no penalties, and 2x its weight with a 50% reduction in speed rounded down.

Ex: a 75-ton land tractor can pull itself and a 75-ton trailer at 4/6. If a another 75-ton trailer were attached (the total trailer load is now twice the tractor's own 75 tons), the speed would be 2/3.

or

2) For each multiple of the tractor's mass pulled, halve the allowed speeds.

Ex: a 100-ton land tractor moves unhitched at 4/6. When a 100-ton trailer is hitched, it can pull itself and the load at a reduced speed of 2/3. If a second 100-ton trailer were added, the speed would be reduced to 1/2.