susanka wrote:
But wait! Maybe the light just went on for me. Are you saying even if we put an elephant in the MH it doesn't change the amount we can tow?
Susan
no. think of it this way. for this example lets say the MH has a GVWR of 25,000-lbs, has a GCWR of 30,000-lbs and actually weighs 24,000-lbs. and we'll say that the hitch has a weight rating of 5,000-lbs and the tow-bar has a weight rating of 10,000-lbs. and finally your pet elephant weighs 2,000-lbs.
remember the test...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
without the elephant your maximum weight to safely tow would be 5,000-lbs (the weight rating of your hitch). apply the tests and find the lowest number:
- the GCWR (30,000-lbs) minus the actual weight of the MH (24,000-lbs) is 6,000-lbs
- the weight rating of the hitch is 5,000-lbs
- the weight rating of the tow-bar is 10,000-lbs
with the elephant on board the MH now weighs 26,000-lbs. apply the same tests. which test gives the lowest number? 4,000-lbs is the max you can tow (GCWR minus the actual weight of the MH).
get the idea? it gets a little more complicated because you shouldn't just weigh the MH with all axles on the scale simultaneously. you really need separate axle weights and then compare them to the GAWR for that axle. the sum of the GAWR's should equal the GVWR; the sum of the actual axle weights will be the total weight of the MH.
