Can someone give me all the pertinent numbers and definitions when trying to see what range of trailers i can tow. Can remember all the acronyms (gawr and others) and need to figure out how much my OEM tires can handle as well. Thanks for the help

Welcome to the forum !Below is a quote from another thread on similar question on tow ratingsIt is not any 'one' thing, though it can be the weak link that thendictates the rest of the 'system', as tow ratings is a whole systemThe diagram below will show that system and that there are lots ofsingular ratings that can become the weak link...to then dictatethe whole system ratingFirst decide if you believe in the OEM specifications/limits/ratings or notIf not, then do whatever but note that if there is warranty left...theOEM may be denied. If no warranty, then you have taken the OEM off theliability hookIf yes, then read up and ask lots of questionsThere is a huge difference in how a question is asked or answered'Can do' is way different from 'should do' or 'rated for' The specifications, limits and ratings is a 'system' and most takea single rating as an absolute or out of context....like your referenceto your TV's MTWR (Max Tow Weight Rating)Meaning that, those MTWR's are only a true rating within the fine print of the OEM's specifications Meaning that they derived those MTWR's from a 'curb' weight TV, whichis the 'stripper' model with no options other than the tow optionand one 150lb driver. Some full fluids, others partially filledBest is to weigh your TV's fully loaded...axle by axle. That is theonly way to figure out your 'true' MTWRYou should gather these ratings for both your TV'sGVWRFGAWRRGAWRGCWRThen do the simple math to figure out your true MTWRSome come here looking for confirmation of what they want to hearor what they have already decided on....they WILL get many advisersthat will do exactly that...just ask yourself if those advisers willprovide the funds for warranty or whatever cost an overloaded TVmight sufferThis image shows how the ratings system looks like in graphical formhowmuchcanitow

GVWR and GCWR are the two you need. To determine how much you can tow load the truck like your going camping and go to the scales. Subtract scaled weight from GVWR will tell you how much load carrying capacity you have left. Subtracting scaled weight from GCWR tells you how much trailer you can tow. As long as tongue weight does not exceed your load carrying capacity.

thanks for the help, exactly what i was looking for.

OP asked, "Can someone give me all the pertinent numbers and definitions when trying to see what range of trailers I can tow?"The single most important number is your checkbook balance. Just kidding. If you want to boil it down to one number, that number would be the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of the tow vehicle. That's is what the manufacturer says is the maximum weight for the tow vehicle, ready to go camping, including fuel, passengers, stuff, and hitch or trailer tongue weight. It is fairly easy to be over this number, so real weights are required to verify that you are not overloaded. Do NOT believe the salesman, or people on here, when it comes to what you can tow/haul. Check it out yourself.

TomG2 wrote:OP asked, "Can someone give me all the pertinent numbers and definitions when trying to see what range of trailers I can tow?"The single most important number is your checkbook balance. Just kidding. If you want to boil it down to one number, that number would be the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of the tow vehicle. That's is what the manufacturer says is the maximum weight for the tow vehicle, ready to go camping, including fuel, passengers, stuff, and hitch or trailer tongue weight. It is fairly easy to be over this number, so real weights are required to verify that you are not overloaded. Do NOT believe the salesman, or people on here, when it comes to what you can tow/haul. Check it out yourself.is this per folks on here? or the LEO that pulls you over? or?!?!?!?!?A rig with a 11400 gvwr may have less ability than a rig with an 8600 gvwr! Example, my 05 dually crew can has 4100 lbs of payload, the 2000 c2500 3800 lbs. Put 6 150 lb people in the dually, I have left 3200 lbs for hitch wt etc. The C250 with 3 150 lb people, had 3350 lbs of payload for hitch wt ec. The lower gvwr rig has more ability in some cases than the higher gvwr rig!I can put my family of 6 into a typical crew can 1500, and I am at max gvwr, so my tow ability is nothing! There is no number per say that is the MOST important. Reality is, one has to use all to make sure what works for me, will work for you.Oh, what is legal per the cveo/LEO, is not legal per the pundits on this forum. My dually is good to 32K gvwr per the local CVEO, but the pundits on here, 11400 ont he door sticker. Or as some leo's will give me, 14K as I have on my paid for license. Meanwhile the c2500 would be good to 20K gvwr, pundits on here 8600 lbs, or the leo would give me 8000 lbs, as that is what my paid for gvw is on my registration! My best way to figure max tow rating, is gvwr less the loaded wt of the rig gives max payload for hw. Take this number, divide by the hw % one needs, you then have the max trailer you can tow. If you have 1000 lbs for hw, you have a max trailer of 10K at 10%, if 20% is needed, your max trailer is 5000 lbs. Tow ratings etc be danged.Marty

Towing Numbers | Good Sam Community

21 Replies

BenK
Explorer
Jul 21, 2013
Welcome to the forum !

Below is a quote from another thread on similar question on tow ratings

It is not any 'one' thing, though it can be the weak link that then
dictates the rest of the 'system', as tow ratings is a whole system

The diagram below will show that system and that there are lots of
singular ratings that can become the weak link...to then dictate
the whole system rating

First decide if you believe in the OEM specifications/limits/ratings or not

If not, then do whatever but note that if there is warranty left...the
OEM may be denied. If no warranty, then you have taken the OEM off the
liability hook

If yes, then read up and ask lots of questions

There is a huge difference in how a question is asked or answered
'Can do' is way different from 'should do' or 'rated for'

The specifications, limits and ratings is a 'system' and most take
a single rating as an absolute or out of context....like your reference
to your TV's MTWR (Max Tow Weight Rating)

Meaning that, those MTWR's are only a true rating within the fine
print of the OEM's specifications

Meaning that they derived those MTWR's from a 'curb' weight TV, which
is the 'stripper' model with no options other than the tow option
and one 150lb driver. Some full fluids, others partially filled

Best is to weigh your TV's fully loaded...axle by axle. That is the
only way to figure out your 'true' MTWR

You should gather these ratings for both your TV's

GVWR
FGAWR
RGAWR
GCWR

Then do the simple math to figure out your true MTWR

Some come here looking for confirmation of what they want to hear
or what they have already decided on....they WILL get many advisers
that will do exactly that...just ask yourself if those advisers will
provide the funds for warranty or whatever cost an overloaded TV
might suffer

This image shows how the ratings system looks like in graphical form

howmuchcanitow

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Towing Numbers

21 Replies

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