Vehicle weight

You can read all the "curb weight" material printed but, it will NOT tell you what the particular vehicle you're interested in, ACTUALLY WEIGHS!!! I have proved the Dinghy Towing Guides wrong several times with various toads we've had. The Dinghy Towing Guide says that the 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4 Extended Cab pickup we have is supposed to weight 4875 lbs. Yeah sure. I weighed it at a certified scale and it hovers right at 5300 with a full tank of fuel.

So, if you're serious about a vehicle, then spend a few bucks and take it out and get it WEIGHED! That way, you'll know exactly what you're dealing with. Even if you have to do that to a couple of vehicles, you're not spending a fortune. Most of the time the cost at many scales is around $10.00 or so. I'd rather know EXACTLY what I'm dealing with instead of trusting someone who simply published "hearsay" weights.
Scott

Thanks for all the info.

Local landfills have scales.

You are going to take the vehicle for a test drive, right?
While you have it out for the test, find a scale and weigh it.
Yes, it might cost you 5 or 10 dollars. Seems to me it would be worth it!

You've got the right idea. Door sticker for DOT has to have a GWVR, axle ratings with OEM tires, and tire pressures for those axle ratings. If it also hs a carrying capacity, GVWR minus carrying capacity is a good estimate of fully fueled vehicle weight with factory options.

Only way to know anything for sure, is to weigh it on a truck scale.

Horizon170 wrote:
Google curb weight as someone suggested.
Then weigh your RV.
Look on the drivers door jamb and get the GCWR. (Gross combined weigth rating)
Then subtract the two and that is the MAX your Toad can weigh according to the MFG. I'll bet a nickle to a doughnut that most RV's with TOADS are over weight.
I know I am most of the time.
(NO lawyer quotes please.)
Marvin

that's right but it goes a bit farther. the amount of weight you can safely tow will be the lesser of the following:

- the gross combination weight rating of the MH minus the actual weight of the MH as it is loaded and configured for travel

- the weight rating of your hitch

- the weight rating of your tow bar

the last two factors must be considered.

Google curb weight as someone suggested.
Then weigh your RV when loaded and ready for trip.
Look on the drivers door jamb and get the GCWR. (Gross combined weigth rating)
Then subtract the two and that is the MAX your Toad can weigh according to the MFG. I'll bet a nickle to a doughnut that most RV's with TOADS are over weight.
I know I am most of the time.
(NO lawyer quotes please.)
Marvin

bayoubelle wrote:
I went looking at a few vehicles today for towing. I can find the GVWR, but that is what the vehicle is capable of handling. I want to know how much the vehicle itself weighs. On one I saw a Carry Capacity, but not on all. Another said the options on the vehicle reduced the carry capacity by 8 lbs.

I am assuming, that if I subtract the carry capacity from the GVWR that will give me an approximate weight of the vehicle itself.

So how can I find out how much a vehicle weighs before I buy it? Before I decide on a much smaller vehicle, I would like to know how to figure out the weight.

look for the 'Curb Weight'. curb weight is generally the empty weight of the vehicle as it sits but sometimes it includes X-gal of gas. curb weight is not usually on the door post so look in the 'Specifications' section of the owner's manual.

I would just Google 'Curb Weight' for the vehicle that interests me.
It will get you in the ballpark.