Newbie1
Ontario
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Joined: 08/20/2004
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How do I calculate the available tow capacity of my vehicle? One explaination was this. Fill the van with the passangers, luggage and fuel that I would be bringing on a trip. Weigh the vehicle. My vehicle is rated to pull 3500lbs. From this point I have no idea what comes next. I am at a loss. Someone help!
Newbie1
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JohnG3
Morro Bay, California, USA
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Joined: 07/26/2004
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Newbie1
Go to this site. You need to have the weights of the towed vehicle. The dry axle weight can be figured by putting the gross dry weight in the dry axle section, then adding or subtracting until the gross dry weight that the demonstrator calculates matches the gross dry weight of the trailer you're interested in towing. Weights in the minus (-) area are not good. This is where the figures need to be 80% of the gross weights listed on the tow and towed vehicles.
http://www.klenger.net/arctic-fox/weight/tow-calc-demonstrator.htm
John and Elaine. Furry ones, Mia, Buddy, Barney and Miss Chevious (MissC for short).
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TXiceman
(Near) Houston,TX
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Joined: 11/17/2000
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Since you already have the loaded vehicle weight , get the GVWR of the door jamb plate and look in the owners manual for the GCWR which is listed for you particular engine chassis and axle.
GCWR- loaded truck = max loaded trailer weight
GVWR - loaded truck = max loaded trailer tongue weight.
The 3500# tow limit from the manufacturer is based on a base vehicel, no options, no accessories, no cargo and a 150# driver. You can add up cargo, passengers and options and SUBTRACT this from the 3500# and get the available towing capacity as well, but actual truck weight and GCW and GVWR are more accurate.
Ken
KE5DFR
Vintage 1979 Silver Streak Supreme Rocket toted by a 2002 F350, crewcab dually, 7.3L,4.10 axle,SCMT. Travel with one miniature Schnauzers, one standard schnauzer and one African Gray parrot. Practicing for retirement!
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SoCalDesertRider
SanDiego, CA, USA
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Joined: 12/14/2003
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This is real simple to calculate. You need to find our your GCWR (gross combined weight rating) which is the maximum amount your loaded truck AND loaded trailer are allowed to weigh, TOGETHER. This number is determined largely by the engine and axle ratio the truck was ordered with. The GCWR can usually be found in the manufacturer towing guide info available at your dealer or possibly online. The engine size should be easy to find out and the axle ratio can be determined by finding the axle code on the door sticker (VIN sticker) and looking it up at the dealer. Once you have the GCWR number, get the truck weighed as you described, with all the weight that you intend to take on the trip. Subtract the actual scale weight of the truck from the GCWR number and, voila, you have your actual towing weight limit  . This number will usually be lower than the published tow rating since your actual truck weight when loaded for the trip will be more than the manufacturer's listed base curb weight. The number you determine from the GCWR minus the scale weight is the number you want to go with, as it reflects the actual weights you will be dealing with. Basically, forget about the listed tow rating provided by the dealer or manufacturer.
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Yeti Shaman
Cape Canaveral, FL, USA
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Joined: 11/05/2001
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First you need an actual certified accurate weight for the RV & truck
http://www.catscale.com/locator.shtml
Then add weight of what “stuff” you will put in it .
800-1000 lbs ???
Then calculate GVWR weight
http://www.rvsafety.com/gvwrworksheet.htm
Then make sure your tires are of correct load range & inflation for the weight they carry
http://autopedia.com/TireSchool/weighing.html
http://www.trucktires.com/us_eng/library........cations/other/RX_lighttruck_rv/index.asp
http://www.goodyear.com/rv
Don’t omit ;
Liquid Weight Reference
Water (gal/ltrs) = (8.3 lbs/3.8 kgs), Gas (gal/ltrs) = (6.1 lbs/2.8 kgs), Diesel (gal/ltrs) = (7.1 lbs/3.2 kgs), LPG (gal/ltrs) = (4.2 lbs/1.9 kgs)
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BenK
SF BayArea
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Joined: 04/18/2002
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Here's some metrics to help you understand the more complicated information you'll be getting.
Balancing act between the vehicles and their ratings. You'll need to get the ratings of your TV and TT in order to figure this out.
Generic formula is: GCWR >= TV GVWR + TT GVWR
Tetter totter where the fulcrum is the >= sign. The GVWR's are bucket sizes capable of hold/carrying that rated weight, max. Both added together must not exceed the GCWR (that tetter totter thing).
Another thing is that it's best to actually weigh your setup loaded and ready to tow, but since many don't have one or the other, I post the generic formula above.
You will need to pay attention to the weight on the TV's rear axle (front too, but not many get into trouble there). The added people, cargo, luggage, pets, toolbox, etc in the TV will mainly be on the rear axle. Then the TT's PIN/Tongue weight will mainly be on the TV's rear axle. Finally the WD hitch system weight will also be on the TVs rear axle.
The WD hitch system will move some of the weight off of the TVs rear axle and onto the TVs front axle, but usually not enough if the rear is overloaded.
You will need to gather these in order to figure it out.
TV________________________________
GCWR
GVWR
GAWR, front and rear
Actual weight empty and loaded. Whole vehicle and axle by axle.
TT________________________________
GVWR
Tongue/PIN weight at GVWR
Actual weight loaded up ready to tow.
Hitch system and it's weight and the rating of the WD bars.
-Ben Picture of my rig
1996 GMC SLT Suburban 3/4 ton K3500/7.4L/4:1/+150Kmiles orig owner...
1980 Chevy Silverado C10/long bed/"BUILT" 5.7L/3:73/1 ton helper springs/+329Kmiles, bought it from dad...
1998 Mazda B2500 (1/2 ton) pickup, 2nd owner...
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