Trailer weight vs. towing capacity
If my SUV's towing capacity is 6000 pounds, what should be my safe trailer dry weight?
Forum Discussion
Disregard dry weights. Period.
Use a trailer's GVRW, the maximum weight your trailer is designed to hold. The trailer's GVWR should not exceed the tow vehicle's towing capacity.
But that is only 1/2 the equation, the horizontal force. Don't forget to also consider the cargo capacity of your tow vehicle (TV), the vertical force. This will take into account the portion of your trailer supported by the TV, weight of your hitch, people in the TV, full take of fuel, firewood, coolers, etc. Many discussions on RV.NET (and other forums) about calculating that.
One last thought, cargo capacity gets max'd out before towing capacity for most vehicles.
Hope this helps.
Use a trailer's GVRW, the maximum weight your trailer is designed to hold. The trailer's GVWR should not exceed the tow vehicle's towing capacity.
But that is only 1/2 the equation, the horizontal force. Don't forget to also consider the cargo capacity of your tow vehicle (TV), the vertical force. This will take into account the portion of your trailer supported by the TV, weight of your hitch, people in the TV, full take of fuel, firewood, coolers, etc. Many discussions on RV.NET (and other forums) about calculating that.
One last thought, cargo capacity gets max'd out before towing capacity for most vehicles.
Hope this helps.
