First timer and a "how much weight" question?
So I've been doing researching like mad and trying to figure all my weight limits before we purchase our first TT. We are headed to Hershey in two weeks, to their big RV show, and I want to be as pr...
Forum Discussion
You need additional information and must do some work. Including weighing your TV fully loaded with people/pets/luggage/ice chest/cargo/etc.
There will be much more on HOW2 dial in your WD Hitch system (and choose one).
Goal there is to have the TV drop to whatever your glove box manual says. Some use weight returned to the front axle, others percentage, and some dimension from static before loading/WD'ing.
The trailer tongue should be level at it's highest pointing...I recommend pointing slightly down
Trailer tongue weight should be in the +12% to 15% of the trailer ACTUAL weight
Comments in red below
There will be much more on HOW2 dial in your WD Hitch system (and choose one).
Goal there is to have the TV drop to whatever your glove box manual says. Some use weight returned to the front axle, others percentage, and some dimension from static before loading/WD'ing.
The trailer tongue should be level at it's highest pointing...I recommend pointing slightly down
Trailer tongue weight should be in the +12% to 15% of the trailer ACTUAL weight
Comments in red below
brianosaur wrote:
So I've been doing researching like mad and trying to figure all my weight limits before we purchase our first TT. We are headed to Hershey in two weeks, to their big RV show, and I want to be as prepared as possible. After much reading, I am very cautious about being the highway ahole that overloads his vehicle and puts his family, and others on the road, in danger.
We were going get something in the small ultra light class to tow with our Honda Pilot, and then I figured I should just get my second TT now and just skip the tiny one I'd probably sell in two years anyway.
I also have a Ford e250 van. These are the specs:
GVWR ........... 8600A good rating to have on your list and you will need the trailers GVWR too
Curb Wt......... 5336Useless, unless you have a stripper model with no options, except for the tow option and this is the "dry" weight of the trailer, but it will also come with a tongue weight number (typically 10% in order to get the highest tow weight for any TV) and is a good indicator of how or the potential of how well the trailer will handle....best to have tongue weight in the +12%-15% of the trailers ACTUAL weight
GVW............. 6336?**you will need this and load up your TV as if going to tow. Full up with people, pets, cargo, luggage, etc and go out and weigh it
Max Payload..... 3264A good starting point, as this is the weight as shipped WITH options...but does NOT have the stuff you will load into/onto your TV. Subtract this from the GVWR and it will be more than the listed towing cap (MTWR...max tow weight rating)
Towing Cap...... 6600see Max Payload comment
GCWR............ 12000a very good number to have and will be the basis for the simple math to figure your "true" MTWR
GAWR f ......... 3800A good number to have on your list
GAWR r ......... 5520A very good number to have on your list and most limiting of all the other RATINGS
Rear Tire load . 3042eaDitto above RGAWR
I currently only have a step bumper hitch on the van (500lb TW) but will be installing a new Class III/IV hitch to accommodate as needed TW.
**Guessing TV may have 1000 lbs in passenger and cargo.Until you load and actually weigh it fully loaded ready to tow...in guessing game
I have done a few online calculators but get different numbers from different sites.
So, what TT GVWR should I top out at to be safe?Weigh your TV fully loaded ready to go towing and subtract that from the GCWR of your TV and that will tell you the true TT GVW (it's actual weight your TV is now rated to tow
