Forum Discussion
BenK
Aug 22, 2015Explorer
Welcome to both this forum and the world of RV'ing
Many times, salesman are not lying per say, but out of context in most all
cases.
Ditto advice on any of these freebie forums...it is worth the price paid. Also
learn to filter the advice to your needs and opinions. Many forget that newbies
do NOT have the experience and hard knock schooling to filter well...those
'sure you can'...'have been doing it for decades'...etc
I do NOT advise in that regard, but try to provide information
that the Newbie must find, weight and do the simple math for their
own Risk Management Decision (AKA...gambling)
First decide if you believe in the OEM ratings system and numbers...or not
If not, then academic and do whatever, but know you have taken the OEM(s)
off the warranty and liability hook and now own them...
The generic formula is:
This has the OEM dialed in safety margins for longevity, safety
and to agency mandated MINIMUM performance...biggie for me is
braking the whole setup
Of course best to actually weigh everything, ready to go RV'ing,
axle by axle
Gather the information for both TV and Trailer: GVWR, F/R GAWR,
GCWR. Tongue percentage weight of ACTUAL weight is also needed
You will find that the MTWR (Max Tow Weight Rating) is bogus, unless
you have the stripper TV and 'dry' trailer that has a 10% tongue
weight percentage (it should be 12% to 15% and I prefer heavier)
Here is the graphical representation of how the ratings systems
looks like, or works. A bit of whimsy and mean it...anything 'can'
tow, but how well, how long and how safely is my goal...for a half
ton 'can' tow the Space Shuttle...but for how long...how well and
how safely???
howmuchcanitow howmuchshoulditow
Many times, salesman are not lying per say, but out of context in most all
cases.
Ditto advice on any of these freebie forums...it is worth the price paid. Also
learn to filter the advice to your needs and opinions. Many forget that newbies
do NOT have the experience and hard knock schooling to filter well...those
'sure you can'...'have been doing it for decades'...etc
I do NOT advise in that regard, but try to provide information
that the Newbie must find, weight and do the simple math for their
own Risk Management Decision (AKA...gambling)
First decide if you believe in the OEM ratings system and numbers...or not
If not, then academic and do whatever, but know you have taken the OEM(s)
off the warranty and liability hook and now own them...
The generic formula is:
GCWR => TV + Trailer + everything loaded
This has the OEM dialed in safety margins for longevity, safety
and to agency mandated MINIMUM performance...biggie for me is
braking the whole setup
Of course best to actually weigh everything, ready to go RV'ing,
axle by axle
Gather the information for both TV and Trailer: GVWR, F/R GAWR,
GCWR. Tongue percentage weight of ACTUAL weight is also needed
You will find that the MTWR (Max Tow Weight Rating) is bogus, unless
you have the stripper TV and 'dry' trailer that has a 10% tongue
weight percentage (it should be 12% to 15% and I prefer heavier)
Here is the graphical representation of how the ratings systems
looks like, or works. A bit of whimsy and mean it...anything 'can'
tow, but how well, how long and how safely is my goal...for a half
ton 'can' tow the Space Shuttle...but for how long...how well and
how safely???
howmuchcanitow howmuchshoulditow
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