Every time that I think I have a handle on these, they seem to explode in my mind. I know what each of the letters stand for, Gross Combined Weight Rating,........etc., and I know what they mean. What's confusing me, is the application of the ratings.Example: My truck, 6.7 diesel, 3.55's, srw, has a GCWR of 23,500 pounds, a GVWR of 11.5k, and the truck weighs ~7.5k. If I have an 18.5k fifth wheel with pin weight of 3k, and drop the pin in the back of the truck, the truck now weighs 10.5k. The actual trailer weight after hook up is 15.5k. If the total rig was sitting on a scale, the total weight would be 26k. Is the truck overloaded? The 10.5 does not exceed the GVWR, and the 15.5k trailer does not exceed the max trailer weight of 15.7k pounds. Is the trailer weight, the weight as it's hooked up with the 3k sitting on the truck? Or, is it the total sitting weight of the trailer, unhooked?

The trailer weight is how much it weighs. Not how much it weighs minus the pin. Your truck still has to tote that 3,000 pounds too. It doesn't magically go away when it presses on the rear axle.The truck in question would not be overload as you're not exceeding the GVWR. However, you would be towing over the advertised limit of the truck because the whole rig weighs 26,000 but the GCWR is only 23,500. Tow rating is not a legally enforceable number. Other than going slower up hills I wouldn't have a problem towing that much with that truck.

Thanks, KD4. I guess my biggest confusion was/is 'Trailer Weight". I know that trailer weight is what it weighs on a scale but I 'think' that is different than max tow weight. In my example, the trailer has a pin weight of 3k pounds and when that weight is transferred to the truck, the trailer, sitting on a scale would weigh 15.5k pounds, which is what the truck will actually be pulling. The 3k pin weight just gets added to the GVW, which is still well within limits. Anyway, do you see my confusion?

We're over on GCWR but under on all others hasn't bothered us except for MPG and I don't know if that 1000 over would make a difference on MPG anyway.

I think the best way to look at your weights is to place a safety zone on them. The truck’s GVWR is 11.5K. That’s it’s maximum safe weight allowance from it’s manufacturer. Anything above that is going to be speculative. Same thing with the GVWR for the trailer and the entire rig’s GCWR.

Your trailer weight is 18,500, which is over the Ford towing guide specs. You're also over on the GCWR. Not a big deal as it is most likely due to your 3.55 rear end. Just means the transmission may work harder. I'd give extra attention to your transmission maintenance, and watch the temps.If you're happy with the way it tows then I would not worry about it.

GVWR, GCWR, & GVW | Good Sam Community

KD4UPL
Explorer
Sep 05, 2016
The trailer weight is how much it weighs. Not how much it weighs minus the pin. Your truck still has to tote that 3,000 pounds too. It doesn't magically go away when it presses on the rear axle.
The truck in question would not be overload as you're not exceeding the GVWR. However, you would be towing over the advertised limit of the truck because the whole rig weighs 26,000 but the GCWR is only 23,500.
Tow rating is not a legally enforceable number. Other than going slower up hills I wouldn't have a problem towing that much with that truck.
clev
Explorer
Sep 05, 2016
Thanks, KD4. I guess my biggest confusion was/is 'Trailer Weight". I know that trailer weight is what it weighs on a scale but I 'think' that is different than max tow weight. In my example, the trailer has a pin weight of 3k pounds and when that weight is transferred to the truck, the trailer, sitting on a scale would weigh 15.5k pounds, which is what the truck will actually be pulling. The 3k pin weight just gets added to the GVW, which is still well within limits. Anyway, do you see my confusion?
stickdog
Explorer
Sep 05, 2016
We're over on GCWR but under on all others hasn't bothered us except for MPG and I don't know if that 1000 over would make a difference on MPG anyway.
CALandLIN
Explorer
Sep 05, 2016
I think the best way to look at your weights is to place a safety zone on them. The truck’s GVWR is 11.5K. That’s it’s maximum safe weight allowance from it’s manufacturer. Anything above that is going to be speculative. Same thing with the GVWR for the trailer and the entire rig’s GCWR.
Tiger02
Explorer
Sep 05, 2016
Your trailer weight is 18,500, which is over the Ford towing guide specs. You're also over on the GCWR. Not a big deal as it is most likely due to your 3.55 rear end. Just means the transmission may work harder. I'd give extra attention to your transmission maintenance, and watch the temps.

If you're happy with the way it tows then I would not worry about it.
clev
Explorer
Sep 05, 2016
Thanks, I appreciate the replies. We ordered a Mobile Suits a couple of weeks ago and didn't pay much attention to weights and specs because we see Ford's, Chevy's pulling huge 40 foot (+) 5th wheels. Ours is not huge, it's 37 feet. About the only thing that I checked was pin weight, because Ford is capped at ~3700 pounds and the gvw is 11.5k pounds. We're well within limits, but checking specs today, the GCWR really got my attention. We'll definitely be exceeding GCWR.
clev
Explorer
Sep 05, 2016
Thanks Tiger, but this statement may be inaccurate: "Your trailer weight is 18,500, which is over the Ford towing guide specs"

I was just on Curtmfg site and they have some informational pages in regards to towing and specs. They define the trailer weight as the actual curb weight of the trailer 'minus' the pin weight, because that is part of GVW of the TV. Based on that, my trailer will be ~15.5k pounds of towed weight; 200 pounds less than the maximum allowed.
SanMarMor
Explorer
Sep 05, 2016
Trailer weight is trailer weight. Part is sitting on the axles, part is sitting on the hitch. But you're pulling, and stopping, the full trailer weight.

Mark
MFL
Nomad II
Sep 05, 2016
Clev, no matter where you consider the pin weight to be, you are still over your gross combined weight by a fair amount. Yes, I think due to the 3.55 gearing. If you tow in 5th, lockout 6th, I don't see a problem. In any case, watch transmission temps, when pulling hills or head winds. I would not be too concerned, unless you feel you are straining your drive train, in adverse conditions.

Jerry
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Sep 05, 2016
Where do you get the pin weight at 3,000#????

My 14K 5vr has a real world pin weight of 2980# (trailer total weight is 13,873#)

A 18,500# trailer will have a real world (WET) pin weight of 3500# or more.

And that pin weight is just part of the trucks payload capacity.
You also have to add the weight of yourself over 150#), all passengers, any stuff in cab (backpacks, under seats, etc) 5th wheel hitch for total payload

Total Payload (Cargo Carry Capacity) is stated on Safety Compliance Sticker (door jamb)
Does yours state 3700#??? Seems high for your trim level.....

Think you will be over on payload capacity
Think trailer pin weight will be higher than 3000#
Truck weight..7500# IS that scaled actual weight or brochure weight
(Camp ready scaled weight???)

Think you are going to be close on weights when you get real world numbers

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