Trying to understand normal tow handling

skripo wrote:
Here is what I learned today thanks to your educational perseverance:

1) I am gaining only about 200 LBS of payload capacity with a Dodge Durango R/T
2) The Durango gives me much more towing grunt
3) I am not that much over my Explorers payload capacity
4) The only vehicles that give me more payload are Ford F150s or full size SUVs

Conclusion: Although I am at it's limits, the Durango is really the only option for me.

Here are my worksheets:

Notes:

1) The trailer weight is actual so I did not add the gas, battery, options, etc.
2) Dodge rates the payload at 1380 LBS but they include the weight of the driver and a full tank of gas. I used the GCWR - curb weight since the worksheets accounts for passenger, fuel, and cargo weight.
3) Durango scenario 2 is realistic because other than the 70 LB Kayak, we never need to put cargo in the TV, it all fits in the Trailer.

Ford Explorer



Dodge Durango



Dodge Durango V2

Those numbers look like "guesses" and not actual "scale wts" from a CAT scale. They are meant for "ESTIMATING" weights and are not needed or helpful when using actual "CAT" scale weights. Can you give us what your "ACTUAL CAT SCALE" weight numbers by axle were (should be three, front TV, Rear TV, TT axles) and how both the TT and TV were loaded and the towing configuration when you actually were on the scales (i.e. WDH engaged or not, etc.).

I'm not clear what were are really talking about weight wise here and suspect things are a lot worse than they appear so far.

Larry