Forum Discussion

brianosaur's avatar
brianosaur
Explorer
Sep 03, 2017

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 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 ........... 8600
Curb Wt......... 5336
GVW............. 6336?**
Max Payload..... 3264
Towing Cap...... 6600
GCWR............ 12000
GAWR f ......... 3800
GAWR r ......... 5520
Rear Tire load . 3042ea

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.

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?
  • wanderingaimlessly wrote:

    Try to find a TT with a loaded weight under 6000 and have a blast.


    Thanks.
    Thats kind of where I was leaning.
    Was looking online into TT in low 5k's GVW.

    wanderingaimlessly wrote:
    You said nothing on family size and weights but if we start with a typical family of 4, 550-700lbs will cover most (not all) scenarios. Adjust as needed for your situation. Add for tongue weight 900lbs to be safe, another 125 for the hitch, and you have a total of
    1725lbs, again well within the vans limits.


    Right now my van is a commercial work van with no back seats. We have several campsites within an hour drive. So, the plan is keeping it local and having wife, kid & the fat arse Labrador Retriever following in the Pilot with the bicycles & kayak.

    Prob have firewood, chairs, beer, and a few miscellaneous things (like extra beer) in the van.

    In a year or two I will get a king cab pickup 250 or 350.

    Don't want to buy a new TT and TV all in one shot ;)
  • If you want to get real nit picky you can do the math on every possible scenario. And then ASSUME you can take everything to the limit. To be simpler and to maintain a degree of safety, may I suggest you leave yourself a cushion of 10% on the most basic numbers.
    Tow Capacity on van of 6600
    Consider that 6000 for a loaded weight and your golden on that catagory.
    Cargo cap,,, You said nothing on family size and weights but if we start with a typical family of 4, 550-700lbs will cover most (not all) scenarios. Adjust as needed for your situation. Add for tongue weight 900lbs to be safe, another 125 for the hitch, and you have a total of
    1725lbs, again well within the vans limits.

    Try to find a TT with a loaded weight under 6000 and have a blast.
  • "Max Payload..... 3264"

    With this payload you will have lots of TT options.
  • Load the van like your going camping and get it weighed. Subtract that from the GVWR. Thats how much room you have left over for ancillery stuff and hitch weight.