Forum Discussion

Fence82246's avatar
Fence82246
Explorer
May 08, 2018

Tow Weights are confusing the heck out of me! Need Help

Hi everyone! New to the forums and looking for help. I want to thank everyone in advance for their input.

We (My wife and I) purchased a 2018 F250 Lariat Crew Cab Short Bed Diesellate last year. At the time we had a little Lance 1575 TT...the truck was overkill but we were planning on getting a larger trailer later. The Lance is gone and now we are shopping for a larger TT or 5th wheel.

The models we've narrowed down to are either the Grand Designs 337RLS or the Jayco 321RSTS. The Jayco is our #1 Choice.

With all of the different websites, calculators and so on...I've come up with wildly varying numbers on what I can actually safely tow... with numbers as wild as 7,448 lbs on the low end...up to 14,700 (mfr max rating).



Spreadsheet of Truck and Trailers


Door Sticker from the Truck


Door Sticker of Tire and Loading from Truck


Weights and Measures from Jayco


One of the confusing things is that the GVWR is 10,000 lbs. With the Tire and Load rating sticker...I deduce that the GWR is 10,000 - 2,166 = 7,834... but my combined axle rating is RGAWR 6,340 + FGAWR 5,200 = 11,540. By this logic...shouldn't my actual cargo capacity be 11,540 CGAWR - 7,834 GVW = 3,706??

I'm a financial analyst by trade...I work on complex financial solutions...but wading through the numbers for towing is so frustrating because its seems like NO ONE is being 100% with their numbers...not the RV, Truck, State or Government. If I ran my business with the way these companies throw out numbers I'd end up in jail.

Any clarification would be greatly appreciated. We have our hearts set on one of these 2 RVs.

Thank you!
Eric

Moderator edit to fix pictures.

  • IdaD's avatar
    IdaD
    Explorer
    May 08, 2018
    Fence82246 wrote:

    One of the confusing things is that the GVWR is 10,000 lbs. With the Tire and Load rating sticker...I deduce that the GWR is 10,000 - 2,166 = 7,834... but my combined axle rating is RGAWR 6,340 + FGAWR 5,200 = 11,540. By this logic...shouldn't my actual cargo capacity be 11,540 CGAWR - 7,834 GVW = 3,706??


    An F250 is a class 2 truck which by definition is limited to 10,000 lbs max GVWR. There are reasons for this that aren't important here beyond knowing they aren't related to the capability of the tow vehicle. Stick within your max axle ratings and you'll be fine. It looks like the Jayco you say is your top choice has a GVWR of 12,700 lbs. I think it's really unlikely it would push you out of your truck's max RAWR, but the only way to know for sure is a scale.
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    May 08, 2018
    STOP!
    Your over analyzing things to death.
    Load the truck like your going camping and go to the scales. Subtract your scaled weight from the trucks GVWR. Thats your available payload.
    TTs will drop approx 12% of their actual weight on the hitch.
    Fivers will drop approx 20% of their actual weight directly over the rear axle. Of course you need to reduce hitch weight from your available payload.
    Overloading or exceeding your payload is not illegal, but pretty stupid.
    The advertised dry weights are also meaningless. You will never tow a dry trailer. Instead look up or find the trailers GVWR, and use that. You may never reach the trailers GVWR, but any less will give you a margin for error.

About RV Tips & Tricks

Looking for advice before your next adventure? Look no further.25,112 PostsLatest Activity: May 21, 2013