I am trying to use one of the online RV weight calculators. I have gone to the scales & have truck + trailer weights, axle weights, truck only axle weights & truck only total weights. Where I am stumped is how to determine the 5th wheel GTWR & GVWR to input on the calculator. Can anyone let me know where or how I get these 2 weights?

The GVWR should be listed on the manufacturer's tag on the trailer. I don't know what GTWR stands for.

fj12ryder wrote:The GVWR should be listed on the manufacturer's tag on the trailer. I don't know what GTWR stands for.Guessing - Gross Trailer Weight Rating? That would be listed on the 5er as well. GVWR might refer to the TV. These are ratings-not actual weights.

What you really need is the GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) for the axles on the truck and the trailer. The important reason to get scale weights is to avoid overloading the axles or tires.

Maybe I should give my scaled weights & let some of the experts help me out. I am towing a 2015 Spartan 1032 toy hauler with a 2013 GMC Denali HD Duramax/Allison, 4WD, 3.73, air bags & Trail Air pin box. Tow rating 14,700# according to GMC.Scaled Weights of truck & trailer combined: 21,920# gross weight, steer axle = 4800#, drive axle = 6400#, trailer axle = 10,720#. Weight of trailer did not include all normal camping items but did have approximately 12 gallons of gas & 10 gallons of water on board plus around 150# of extra things we normally leave in trailer when not in use. The only extra weight I would be carrying would be my wife (115#) & 3 dogs (135#).Scaled weights of truck only: 4,740# steer axle, 3560# drive axle, 8300# gross weight.Certification Ratings: steer axle = 5200#, drive axle = 6200#, GVWR = 10,000#, GCWR = 24,500#Can I have some feedback on my set up. I will be adding approximately another 1,200# of cargo in the trailer (4 wheeler, clothes, food, adult beverages). I know I am either pushing the limits of my 3/4 ton truck or going over the limits. I know most will say I am in 1 ton dually territory most likely but that is not an option. My truck with the Duramax, air bags & Trail Air pin box tows just fine but I wanted to get some feedback from others on my setup.

Well, you're showing 11,200 lbs. on your truck which has a GVWR of 10,000 lbs., so you're over your truck GVWR by 1200 lbs. And that will go up a bit more when you add the 1200 lbs. of cargo, unless it's all rear of the axle in which case the pin weight might go done some. You're over your rear axle certification rating by a couple hundred pounds, which will also go up some when the trailer is fully loaded unless as noted.You're pulling a 5th wheel that weighs about 13,000 lbs. and you're going to add about 1200 lbs. to that. Your GCW will be around 23,000 lbs. so you're under your GCWR.What tire size/rating are you using? Isn't the Denali an SUV? We are talking about a 5th wheel trailer here aren't we?

GTWR & GVWR??? | Good Sam Community

25 Replies

hmknightnc
Explorer
Jul 27, 2014
mackyb wrote:
fj12 - Maybe I'm missing something here. GMC's certified drive axle rating is 6200#. My truck scaled @ 3560#. The rear axle is well within it's limits!

According to your Post your loaded rear axle is 6400# and rating is 6200#. That's overloaded and in violation of DOT requirements (axles and tires must be within ratings when loaded). I am sure your Duramax (I have a 2015) pulls it fine but your 3/4 ton suspension isn't built for that load. Good luck
Allworth
Explorer II
Jul 27, 2014
Yeah, I'm sure the Engineers didn't know what they were doing when they rated the rear axle.
glazier
Explorer II
Jul 27, 2014
I don't know the load specs on those Goodyears, but a Michelin 275/65/20 LTX MS2 has 3750lb per tire @80PSI. Those tires combined yield 7500lb of capacity in the rear, they would have no problem handling your stated weights. Enjoy that new Toyhauler, I am sure it will be a good unit.
mackyb
Explorer
Jul 27, 2014
Glazier - tires are Goodyear Duratrac 285/60/20. I love the Spartan so far. I never buy new RV's but in this case I did because of all the extras they come with and the fact that they are new on the market so there were no used ones available. We really like the auto levelers and the patio set up.
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Jul 27, 2014
mackyb wrote:
fj12 - Maybe I'm missing something here. GMC's certified drive axle rating is 6200#. My truck scaled @ 3560#. The rear axle is well within it's limits!
It's 3560 lbs. unloaded, but 6400 lbs. with the 5th wheel onboard.
glazier
Explorer II
Jul 27, 2014
mackyb wrote:
fj12 - Maybe I'm missing something here. GMC's certified drive axle rating is 6200#. My truck scaled @ 3560#. The rear axle is well within it's limits!

I think the loaded scale weight is what the poster is referring to, with the pin weight of the Spartan. How do you like that Toyhauler? They look very nice from what I have saw of them. Your rear tires will be the determining factor in your setup, what tires do you have on your truck?
mackyb
Explorer
Jul 27, 2014
fj12 - Maybe I'm missing something here. GMC's certified drive axle rating is 6200#. My truck scaled @ 3560#. The rear axle is well within it's limits!
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Jul 27, 2014
Well, the tires look like they will take the load so the only things that are off are the GVWR and the rear axle certification.

I run about 400 lbs. over on my GVWR on my dually, and way over on my GCWR. But I don't really concern myself with GCWR since that seems to be mostly a function of warranty and gearing.

Some guys totally ignore the GVWR and only worry if you exceed your GRAR(Gross Rear Axle Rating). I think I would be a bit uncomfortable being nearly a ton over my GVWR (probably by the time you add your toys).

Personally I think it's a bit too far over the GVWR, but that's just me. You'll find people who will vociferously disagree. So it just boils down to how you feel about it. You know you're overweight, now how do you deal with it.
sdetweil
Explorer
Jul 27, 2014
Denali is also a trim level in the GMC pickups.

yes, over on GVWR for the truck and over for the RAWR.

tires are probably LT265/70/18 (one of the 5 sets that come with) is 3525 from Michelin, so 7050 with 2.
LT265/70/17 and LT265/60/20 are only 3195 so, just 6390.
the LT285/60/20 are 3638, so 7276 for 2.
mackyb
Explorer
Jul 27, 2014
fj12 - Affirmative on the TV being a truck & we are talking 5th wheel trailer. My tires are Goodyear Duratrac's 285/60/20.

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GTWR & GVWR???

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