Help with weight
Hi, We're in the planning stages of getting a TT for an extended trip. My wife wants plenty of room, but I'm concerned about the safe towing weight. The models she typically likes would end up weigh...
Forum Discussion
handye9 wrote:
It's not possible for any of us to give you a max towing weight. We don't have a clue about what kind of passenger / cargo weight you're going to carry. We can offer tips on doing the calculations, only you can figure your true towing capacity.
Some tips:
1. Your advertised max tow weight of 7300 lbs, most likely was calculated using a 150 lb weight for the driver, and considered zero weight for aftermarket accessories, passengers, or cargo.
2. Your 6800 GVWR minus 5437 curb weight, indicates a payload (capacity to carry things) of 1363 lbs. Payload gets used up by the weight of aftermarket accessories, fuel, people, pets, cargo, weight distributing hitch (about 100 lbs), and trailer tongue weight (about 13 percent of loaded trailer weight). As the tow vehicle is loaded with all the things listed above, it's max tow capacity is going down, pound for pound. If you put 700 lbs of fuel, people, cargo, and a WD hitch in / on the tow vehicle, you would be maxed out on payload and GVWR with 663 lbs of tongue weight.
3. If you divide your available payload by .13, it will show you an approximate loaded trailer weight that will put you on the edge. NOTE --- On the edge, can be an unpleasant towing experience. Give yourself some cushion.
4. Average trailer load (dishes, bedding, camping gear, groceries, water, etc) is 800 to 1000 lbs. Add that to the unloaded weight of the trailers you are looking at.
5. Average tongue weight is 12 - 13 percent of loaded trailer weight.
6. Travel trailers are about as aerodynamic as a brick wall. Towing them is nothing like towing a boat or a small utility trailer.
Here's a link to an online calculator.
The above post does a good job of providing you with the needed info.
The only thing I would add is load your vehicle up 'camp ready' (fuel, you, ALL passengers (human/pets), any stuff in cab (backpacks etc) and go to a CAT Scales and get weighed.
You will then know real world payload available (GVWR/6800 minus your actual camp ready weight) for tongue weight.
Share this with your wife and show her that she will have to be happy with a different lighter trailer......and if she can't get on board with that-----perfect reason for NEW TRUCK
Life is about compromises. New trailer that current vehicle can safely tow and therefore is more enjoyable to tow
OR New Trailer and NEW Truck that can safely tow the new trailer safely and therefore enjoyment for ALL.
