Towing Weight Calculation

[aramirez626]

Hello all, we are fairly new to Airstreaming and towing in general. I know the topic of towing weight has been beat to death, but I wanted to post this with real numbers that I have for my potential scenario with this combination. I hope this is okay and hope to get responses and feedback. Thank you all, I have learned a lot from this site already!

Just want to make sure I am factoring in all the pieces for the calculation, and if this tow vehicle is safe. Safe, meaning, not minimally safe, but safe with peace of mind. Given the weights below, each total weight works out to be below the GVWR by about close to 700 lbs each; however, the TV GVWR is less than the AS GVWR. In addition, the TV's towing capacity is 7500. Lastly, where does hitch/tongue weight come into play?

Thank you for any help!

Vehicle
Curb Weight 5467
Cargo 300
Hitch+antisway kit 102
Passengers 550
TOTAL 6419
GVWR 7165
Towing cap. 7500

Trailer
Curb weight 5923
Cargo 1000
TOTAL 6923
GVWR 7600

[87MH]

On practically all hookups the first max weight to be busted is the max rear axle weight.

Best to weigh the vehicle, loaded for camping (or as close to it as you can).

Get an actual tongue weight off of the trailer if you can. If actual weight is not available, take the AS published numbers and add at least 100 lbs more.

Add to tongue weight to the actual rear weight of the TV. This number should let you know how close you are to GAW on the rear axle.

Weigh again after you get the trailer, just to confirm.

Sometimes a good Weight Distribution Hitch will help a lot, sometimes not so much. Make sure your vehicle receiver can take a large load if you plan to transfer an appreciable amount of weight.

Unfortunately, accurate measurements can only be obtained after the trailer is hooked up to the tow vehicle.

Hard to convince a potential seller to let you hook up and make a run across a CAT scale.

The results may surprise you.

Please post back with your results.

[A W Warn]

Originally Posted by aramirez626

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Just want to make sure I am factoring in all the pieces for the calculation, and if this tow vehicle is safe. Safe, meaning, not minimally safe, but safe with peace of mind. Given the weights below, each total weight works out to be below the GVWR by about close to 700 lbs each; however, the TV GVWR is less than the AS GVWR. In addition, the TV's towing capacity is 7500. Lastly, where does hitch/tongue weight come into play?
...... snip....

Two parts I see that you have left out.
(1) tongue weight is payload on the tow vehicle (same as passengers and cargo) - add the real tongue weight, not the manufacturer's stated weight. When you add cargo in front of the trailer axles tongue weight increases.
(2) you have not considered GCWR. (see the tow vehicle's owner manual) Towing capacity decreases as gross weight increases when payload is added. I think your gross combined weight rating (GCWR) will be close, maybe exceeded, with the loads you have listed. (the listed maximum tow rating on most vehicles is with the driver only)