Complete Newbie Needs Straight Talk
Wife and I are longtime tent-campers trying to upgrade to a travel trailer. We're looking at something in the 15-17' range (such as Starcraft AR-One, R-Pod, etc.) weighing under 3,000. Since my cur...
Forum Discussion
Using your numbers...repeat that you need/should actually weigh your
TV fully loaded ready to go, axle by axle, in order to figure the
true MTWR for your TV
comments in red embedded below
Now get that trailer tongue weight and it will be based on the 'dry'
weight. Okay, they are all done that way and indicates the percentage
of the actual weight when loaded
That weight goes onto the TV's rear axle
Check your state, as the trailer weight dictates whether it will need
trailer brakes or not
TV fully loaded ready to go, axle by axle, in order to figure the
true MTWR for your TV
comments in red embedded below
ricks99 wrote:
Lots (and lots) of info to go thru here, thanks.
Assuming the following TV:
2007 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab ST, 4.7LV8, 2WD, 5spd Automatic
- GVWR = 6700this is one of the 'light' rated half tons
- GCWR = 11500
- Curb = 5024this is the stripper model and most do NOT own
the stripper model...if it has AC...it is NOT at curb...if it has power
door locks/windows/seats/etc...it is NOT at curb, etc...it will weigh
more than the curb weight. If the driver weighs more than 150 lbs, then
add that weight to the TV...then add the people/pets/luggage/etc
Note that if you add the 'curb' of 5,024 + the MTWR of 6,350
it will equal closely to the GCWR of 11,500
5,024 + 6,350 = 11,374
Dodge says I can safely tow 6350.
this is normally derived from the 'curb' or 'stripper model'
So the simple math above says your TV must weigh in very closely to
the curb of 5,024 in order to be rated to tow 6,350
If it weighs more than 5,024...then each pound over 5,024...must be
subtracted, pound for pound, from the MTWR of 6,350
Why recommend loading up and actually weighing your TV axle by
axle
Assuming the following TT:
Starcraft AR One 17RD
- Dry weight = 2865
- GVWR = 3500
This means I can load 635 of gear, propane, etc, in the TT, right?
Normally, yes.
Some include the spare tire...others do NOT
Some include the battery...others do NOT
Etc...then add the propane, clothing, lawn chairs, bikes, food, fire
wood, water, toolbox, etc, etc
Weight adds up FAST...
As long as I don't have more than ~3000 in gear in the TV, I'm good, right?
Now get that trailer tongue weight and it will be based on the 'dry'
weight. Okay, they are all done that way and indicates the percentage
of the actual weight when loaded
That weight goes onto the TV's rear axle
Check your state, as the trailer weight dictates whether it will need
trailer brakes or not
