Trailer Weight Calculations & Load Estimator Utility

Seattle Lion wrote:
I can't think of anything that would be gained by decomposing the sources of the various limits on our TV's. The manufacturers have an incentive to make these ratings as high as possible, since truck purchasers are looking for the best payload and tow capacities. I worry that the margins of error may be made too small in order to accommodate the marketing department.

I don't agree with what you're saying here. Sure I get manufactures are free to establish their own benchmark for tow ratings, and therefore free to inflate numbers as they desire. Hopefully this will soon change starting in 2015 as Toyota, Ford, GM, and Chrysler begin aligning with the SAE International Standard J2807 (Performance Requirements for Determining Tow-Vehicle Gross Combination Weight Rating and Trailer Weight Rating).

But to your point above, deciphering your axle or total vehicle gross weight rating is very much a combination of the underlying component parts that make up that rating, with the lowest common denominator limiting the rating. Take my little 1/2 ton pickup for example:

• Rear Axle unit w/E-locker and 3.73 = 4800#
  
• Rear Springs = 4050#
  
• Rear wheels (20" 6-lug) = 4050# (2025ea)
  
• Rear Tires 275/55R20 (P-scorpion) = 4806# (2403ea)

The axle housing itself can support up to 4800# gross weight however the limiting components are the springs and wheels which hold back the rear GAWR to 4050# as a result.