gvwr and towing weight?

Seabass69 wrote:
how would DOT look at my situation ?

I have no legal training, but suspect that DOT would not be involved at all unless you were involved in an accident. Then, suspect they would investigate to determine the weak link that would determine your max towing capacity.

Certainly any attorney involved in a suit who talked with any RV weight and safety expert would do that within the first 30 minutes.

how would DOT look at my situation ?

rk911 wrote:
in general, the maximum amount of weight you can safely tow will be the lesser of the following:

• the GCWR (gross combination weight rating) of the MH minus the actual weight of the MH as it is loaded for travel (includes fuel, fresh water, food, clothing, people, pets, supplies, etc.)

• the weight rating of your tow bar

• the weight rating of your hitch

Good post. Add to that that some manufacturers also have a "towing capacity".

Again, the LEAST strong/lowest dictates.

Don't "think" don't "guess" do the numbers. Your towing capacity is normally the lowest of:

- GCWR minus weight of MH when ready to travel (loaded).

- Hitch capacity.

- MH tow capacity.

- Chassis tow capacity...some times the last two are different.

in general, the maximum amount of weight you can safely tow will be the lesser of the following:

• the GCWR (gross combination weight rating) of the MH minus the actual weight of the MH as it is loaded for travel (includes fuel, fresh water, food, clothing, people, pets, supplies, etc.)

• the weight rating of your tow bar

• the weight rating of your hitch

Thanks, I was about 26000 empty when I got it but no idea on the loaded weight. Hitch has a 10000 sticker on it. The problem is trailer is about 12000.... FYI I have been pulling this for 3 years now just wasn't sure what was legal incase I get stopped....

Your maximum tow rating is the lesser of the GCWR or the hitch rating. The GCWR is the weight of the coach plus the weight of any trailer or toad. In this case you have a maximum GVWR of 31,300#. This means the maximum the coach can weigh including the tongue weight of any trailer. For example if you are at your GVWR of 31,300# and you are towing a 10,000 trailer you would be fine as long as the 1,000# tongue weight is included in the GVWR and your receiver hitch, ball etc. are all rated for 10K.

There is another factor to note and that is the harder you push your equipment the shorter the life of the equipment. Also, the terrain you plan on traveling over is important. If you are traveling over high mountain passes and you are constantly at your max ratings you will shorten the life of your unit's drivetrain.

Bottom line based on the information provided and assuming you have a 10K rated hitch you would appear to have a tow rating of 10K

Impossible to say ... How much does the MH weigh fully loaded? Hopefully it'll come in somewhere less than your GVWR of 31,300#. At 31,300# you could tow 10,000#.

GCWR - Actual Weight of MH = What you can tow.

Seabass69 wrote:
So looking at this tag, how much weight can i tow legally?
Registration says Empty wt./Carrying Cap. 10600
Gross weight 10600

and this is the sticker on the motorhome,

I'd say 10,000lbs if the coach is fully loaded and if not, then still no more than 10,600 with other factors obviously being considered, like the hitch specs. frame strength, etc....

Theoretically, you can tow 10,000 pounds. That is standard for Monaco coaches in your size range.