Understanding towing weights?

StirCrazy wrote:
have you scalled your truck yet? the 3553 payload is an aproximation and realy only a number for estimation, what is thw most accurate is to get it scalled with a full talk of gas to get your seperat axel weights. then you know how much weight you can add to the axel. so you think you might have 3553 of payload available but depening on your options on the truck and such you might only have 3000 or maybe 3800. only axtualy scaling th truck will tell you exactly. if you normaly have your wife and dog with you when you travel you could even have all of them with the full tank of gas and that gives you the weight you can add related to the trailer and hitch.

Steve

I am trying to get to this point in the process, but I don't have a truck yet. Right now, I'm trying to get educated to the point where I can walk onto the lot and know the general class of truck I need and buy the tool that will do the job and fit our other preferences as well.

Then I'll be able to stop approximating and start working with black/white hard numbers. Then we'll confirm the trailer choice.

And I will for sure, before it is ever loaded for it's first trip, fill the truck with fuel and head to our first CAT scale visit to see what our normal empty weight is?

Thanks to everyone who has tried to help teach me a little more. I'm trying to make our first and most expensive move be the "right" one for us, and it is confusing when it's your first time down this path. I really do appreciate the help and patience for answer questions that you've probably answered 100 times.

Thanks!

Steve