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jtludwig's avatar
jtludwig
Explorer
May 18, 2014

2014 Dodge Durango w/Hemi (365 HP) GVWR and payload question

I'm shopping for a travel trailer to tow behind my AWD R/T and am calculating how much I can safely tow.

The GVWR is 7100 lbs according to the sticker on the door. The payload capacity is 1200 lbs according to the sticker.

When I weighed the Durango with a full tank of gas and my family sitting in the car, we came in at about 5700 lbs.

I thought payload was calculated by subtracting the actual weight of the car from the GVWR, which in this case would be 7100-5700=1400 lbs remaining for cargo (including tongue weight).

How does this relate to the 1200lbs of cargo capacity that is listed on the sticker in the door? I thought I would have to subtract my family's weight from the 1200 to calculate remaining cargo weight/payload.

Thanks!

8 Replies

  • Go to a different scale. IMO the Durangos GVW is all that matters.
  • This sticker is as equipped from the factory. If you have any options, higher than base trim level, then your payload will be lower than the brochure/web site. The sticker weight includes a full tank of full, not driver/passengers.

  • You could get a second weighing somewhere else for peace of mind but I would go with 1400. Did you use a CAT scale?
  • ib516 wrote:
    The sticker is for your actual vehicle, the brochure is without some options. Says so in the fine print on the brochure somewhere.

    Sticker is the one to go by.
    Not quite sure how that stacks up with a dry weight of 5331# and a loaded (weighed) of 5700#.
    Something is not right here.
  • The sticker is for your actual vehicle, the brochure is without some options. Says so in the fine print on the brochure somewhere.

    Sticker is the one to go by.
  • kaydeejay wrote:
    jtludwig wrote:
    I'm shopping for a travel trailer to tow behind my AWD R/T and am calculating how much I can safely tow.

    The GVWR is 7100 lbs according to the sticker on the door. The payload capacity is 1200 lbs according to the sticker.

    When I weighed the Durango with a full tank of gas and my family sitting in the car, we came in at about 5700 lbs.

    I thought payload was calculated by subtracting the actual weight of the car from the GVWR, which in this case would be 7100-5700=1400 lbs remaining for cargo (including tongue weight).

    How does this relate to the 1200lbs of cargo capacity that is listed on the sticker in the door? I thought I would have to subtract my family's weight from the 1200 to calculate remaining cargo weight/payload.

    Thanks!
    Hmmm, Dodge apparently thinks your truck weighs 5900# empty. I suggest you double check that scale result.
    OR......................
    Are you reading "Occupants and cargo should not exceed 1200#" off the label?
    There is another label called the Camper Loading label that will provide a "Reserve Capacity" number. which is the payload remaining after you put a 150# person in each seat.
    Based on the numbers you are quoting (5700# with the family), if that is correct then I suspect you are not reading the payload number but the reserve capacity number instead.
    If that IS the case, then that's good news in terms of pulling a TT.


    Yeah I'm reading "Occupants and cargo should not exceed 1200#". According to the Dodge spec sheet on this vehicle (from Dodge website), the "curb weight" is 5331 lbs, so my 5700 lb number with the family makes sense. That same brochure lists the payload as 1340 lbs, which is different than the sticker on the car that says "Occupants and cargo should not exceed 1200#".
  • jtludwig wrote:
    I'm shopping for a travel trailer to tow behind my AWD R/T and am calculating how much I can safely tow.

    The GVWR is 7100 lbs according to the sticker on the door. The payload capacity is 1200 lbs according to the sticker.

    When I weighed the Durango with a full tank of gas and my family sitting in the car, we came in at about 5700 lbs.

    I thought payload was calculated by subtracting the actual weight of the car from the GVWR, which in this case would be 7100-5700=1400 lbs remaining for cargo (including tongue weight).

    How does this relate to the 1200lbs of cargo capacity that is listed on the sticker in the door? I thought I would have to subtract my family's weight from the 1200 to calculate remaining cargo weight/payload.

    Thanks!
    Hmmm, Dodge apparently thinks your truck weighs 5900# empty. I suggest you double check that scale result.
    OR......................
    Are you reading "Occupants and cargo should not exceed 1200#" off the label?
    There is another label called the Camper Loading label that will provide a "Reserve Capacity" number. which is the payload remaining after you put a 150# person in each seat.
    Based on the numbers you are quoting (5700# with the family), if that is correct then I suspect you are not reading the payload number but the reserve capacity number instead.
    If that IS the case, then that's good news in terms of pulling a TT.
  • You are correct. Payload = GVWR - Actual Weight. I'd say you're good to 1400#. Keep the TT's length below 27ft. and you're good to go.