GVWR, GCWR, & GVW

clev wrote:
Hi wilber; no, I'm not saying it, I'm quoting it from Curt's web site but I do agree with them because it makes sense to me. If the truck is within specs and carrying part of the trailer weight, then it is towing the remaining weight. And I think the word 'towing' and max towing weight is being misinterpreted. I interpret it as the truck being able to carry a certain amount of weight, AND tow a certain weight. As a radical example, if I dropped a 3000 pound weight in the bed of my truck, I could drive around all day with that weight and still have the capability of towing/hauling 15700 pounds. And you are correct on the gcwr. I'm not sure what my status will be until I get the trailer and get it weighed.

I don't agree at all. They are saying you can two anything you want as long as you don't exceed the trucks GVWR. If that is the case, why publish GCWR's at all? Why publish tow ratings? GCWR means Gross Combined Weight Rating. Total weight of loaded truck and trailer. Just because you move some of the weight from the trailer to the truck doesn't mean it magically disappears.

Ford uses SAE J2807 to determine tow ratings and GCWR.

Here are the main test methods trucks would be measured on as per J2807:

Cooling capability on a long highway upgrade modeled on the Davis Dam grade on Arizona SR 68;
Launch and acceleration performance on a level road and a 12 percent upgrade;
Combined handling performance – understeer and trailer sway;
Combined braking performance – stopping distance and parking brake-hold on grade; and
Structural performance for the vehicle and hitch or hitch receiver.
New calculations for trailer weight ratings: In addition to the performance standards, SAE J2807 also uses a specific set of assumptions to calculate maximum trailer weight ratings:

Ford's own charts say "maximum loaded trailer weight", not trailer weight minus hitch or pin weight.

If you actually are 26,000 lbs you would be 500 lbs over Ford's GCWR for your truck. Not enough to worry about IMO and not illegal but still overweight according to Ford.