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trikdacy · 05-09-2021, 10:48 AM

It took me quite a while to figure this stuff out. First being newer than a newbie I started at zero with no towing knowledge. I had to learn terminology, and what it meant. I read specs until my eyes fell out. I knew the max weight of the trailer, the tongue weight, and went from there. I watched many videos on youtube, such as "Big Truck Big RV" and other channels for towing information. I wound up purchasing a tow vehicle that exceeded my requirements, but I do tow with confidence. It was a lot of work, but it was worth it.

Gibson3798 · 05-09-2021, 11:07 AM

Hopefully the guy driving a Ford Excursion with 6 passengers, loaded with gear, with the fenders almost touching the rear tires, pulling a 30 ft. trailer, may get to read this before something bad happens.

Great work!

ethorntone · 05-09-2021, 04:34 PM

This topic has kept me looking to determine if I need to buy a larger TV.

I have 2016 Z71 Tahoe LTZ trim with 1647 payload and 14,000 GCVWR. I'm pulling a 20FB Caravel rated for 5,000lbs max weight.

I used weights obtained from CAT scales etc to determine that I should be good with what we carry in the TV and Trailer.

Actual Cat Scale
Airstream
3,140.00 Front axle
3,860.00 Rear axle
4,160.00 Trailer axle
11,160.00 Combined

Tahoe is rated for 7,300 GVWR
Front axle 3,600
Rear axle 4,100

5.3L V8 with a 3:42 Rearend.

Blue Ox WDH Hitch

My calculations for loading are:

Payload
People/dog 420lbs
Cargo 200lbs
Curb weight no people, a full tank is 5740lbs.
Tongue weight est at 12% is appx 520lbs.
The trailer loaded for a week's trip is 4,328lbs.

Available Max Payload Truck 420.64lbs
New GVW 6,879.36lbs
NEW GCVW 10,688.00lbs
Towing Capcity 8,400.00lbs

Does anyone see any flaws with my calculation assumptions for towing etc.?

Any feedback would be appreciated. I really don't think I need to use a 3/4 ton truck to safely pull this 20FB, but the extra payload would be nice. All of the 1/2ton trucks I've looked at have less payload than my Tahoe with a similar GVWR of 7,300lbs.

tjdonahoe · 05-09-2021, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ealmasy

As far as I can tell, many (perhaps most) vehicles do not have an official published "Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating".

Most do...look it up

tjdonahoe · 05-09-2021, 06:12 PM

[QUOTE=ethorntone;2492225]This topic has kept me looking to determine if I need to buy a larger TV.

I have 2016 Z71 Tahoe LTZ trim with 1647 payload and 14,000 GCVWR. I'm pulling a 20FB Caravel rated for 5,000lbs max weight.

I used weights obtained from CAT scales etc to determine that I should be good with what we carry in the TV and Trailer.

Actual Cat Scale
Airstream
3,140.00 Front axle
3,860.00 Rear axle
4,160.00 Trailer axle
11,160.00 Combined

Tahoe is rated for 7,300 GVWR
Front axle 3,600
Rear axle 4,100

5.3L V8 with a 3:42 Rearend.

Blue Ox WDH Hitch

My calculations for loading are:

Payload
People/dog 420lbs
Cargo 200lbs
Curb weight no people, a full tank is 5740lbs.
Tongue weight est at 12% is appx 520lbs.
The trailer loaded for a week's trip is 4,328lbs.

Available Max Payload Truck 420.64lbs
New GVW 6,879.36lbs
NEW GCVW 10,688.00lbs
Towing Capcity 8,400.00lbs

Does anyone see any flaws with my calculation assumptions for towing etc.?

Any feedback would be appreciated. I really don't think I need to use a 3/4 ton truck to safely pull this 20FB, but the extra payload would be nice. All of the 1/2ton trucks I've looked at have less payload than my Tahoe with a similar GVWR of 7,300lbs.[/. ....add it up...again...on a Tahoe?

Dennis C · 05-09-2021, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ethorntone

This topic has kept me looking to determine if I need to buy a larger TV.

I have 2016 Z71 Tahoe LTZ trim with 1647 payload and 14,000 GCVWR. I'm pulling a 20FB Caravel rated for 5,000lbs max weight.

I used weights obtained from CAT scales etc to determine that I should be good with what we carry in the TV and Trailer.

Actual Cat Scale
Airstream
3,140.00 Front axle
3,860.00 Rear axle
4,160.00 Trailer axle
11,160.00 Combined

Tahoe is rated for 7,300 GVWR
Front axle 3,600
Rear axle 4,100

5.3L V8 with a 3:42 Rearend.

Blue Ox WDH Hitch

My calculations for loading are:

Payload
People/dog 420lbs
Cargo 200lbs
Curb weight no people, a full tank is 5740lbs.
Tongue weight est at 12% is appx 520lbs.
The trailer loaded for a week's trip is 4,328lbs.

Available Max Payload Truck 420.64lbs
New GVW 6,879.36lbs
NEW GCVW 10,688.00lbs
Towing Capcity 8,400.00lbs

Does anyone see any flaws with my calculation assumptions for towing etc.?

Any feedback would be appreciated. I really don't think I need to use a 3/4 ton truck to safely pull this 20FB, but the extra payload would be nice. All of the 1/2ton trucks I've looked at have less payload than my Tahoe with a similar GVWR of 7,300lbs.

Your logic makes sense to me. I have gone through a similar analysis with my GMC 1500 and my International 23FB. In fact, I’ve got it all in a spreadsheet so that I can see exactly how cargo, passengers, and loading impact my weights.

I found the CAT Scales to be an interesting visit and provide valuable information. I also used a Sherline scale to get my trailer’s tongue weight, and I’ve used a cargo scale to weigh almost everything that I ever carry in my truck or trailer. This exercise has changed the way that I pack for trips. The most interesting thing to me during this process was comparing the Sherline scale weight to the amount of weight transferred to my tow vehicle as measured on the CAT Scale.

I think it’s smart to know your rig’s numbers and limits, and to manage your load accordingly.

Mollysdad · 05-09-2021, 07:58 PM

~~Can~~ Should I Tow This Trailer with That Tow Vehicle?
Fixed!

ethorntone · 05-10-2021, 04:47 AM

[QUOTE=tjdonahoe;2492251]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ethorntone

...........[/. ....add it up...again...on a Tahoe?

The math is straightforward, what doesn't add up? The vehicle values are listed by the manufacturer as well as sticker/plates on the door jam.

Like the gentleman before this post, I've weighed all of the items we take before storing them in the trailer or in the Tahoe.

JayOhBee · 05-10-2021, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

~~Can~~ Should I Tow This Trailer with That Tow Vehicle?
Fixed!

Lol, the "Can" was quite intentional. My objective to start with is to educate the new to towing driver enough to determine if their desired combination is at all possible. I need to explain that more clearly, so i will be updating the doc. Whether or not one "Should" tow with a particular combination can be much more of a judgement call and as you know is the topic of many debates.

spatula · 05-15-2021, 04:30 PM

Great article, thanks for taking the time to put this together.

"How you load your trailer is important as well and is discussed in another article."

Can you provide a link to this other article?

Thanks!

JayOhBee · 05-15-2021, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spatula

Great article, thanks for taking the time to put this together.

"How you load your trailer is important as well and is discussed in another article."

Can you provide a link to this other article?

Thanks!

I have not written that one yet. It's coming though!

Thanks

uncle_bob · 05-17-2021, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spatula

Great article, thanks for taking the time to put this together.

"How you load your trailer is important as well and is discussed in another article."

Can you provide a link to this other article?

Thanks!

Hi

Cliff Notes version:

Weight low to the ground is better stability wise than weight high up off the ground ( low center of gravity is good ).

Weight forward on the trailer is better than weight to the rear.

Equal weight left to right is a good thing.

More weight may be more stable than less *if* it improves any of the above.

As far as a typical RV, that's most of it.

Bob