Doug1395 wrote:
I just looked at the sticker on my door (just learned about in another post ) Gvwr is 7000 lbs . So i cant pull 4450 lbs with a truck rated for 7000 . I know i have to add all of are gear and a couple of young kids weight but i dont see that being over a 1000 lbs. We always say at a campground so i would never fill the water tank. Im not trying to argue and respect everyone's opinion i just dont understand why? If NO... period then what is the max weight i sould be looking for?
All of these weights and terms can be confusing!
GVWR= Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. That means how much the truck can carry, not pull. The GVWR of the truck minus the actual weight of the truck equals what you can carry in the truck (think weight of passengers, fuel, and any cargo in the bed).
GCWR= Gross Combined Weight Rating. That means how much weight the truck can pull and haul. The GCWR of the truck minus the actual weight of the truck including fuel, passengers, and cargo equals the maximum trailer weight the truck can pull.
To evaluate if the truck is rated to tow any trailer, never consider the "dry weight," which is a misleading, useless figure. Also find the GVWR of the trailer and use that figure as the actual trailer weight. Then compare that figure with what your truck can tow using the figure you obtained by studying the GCWR.
You should take your truck to a truck stop that has scales and weigh your truck with passengers, full tank of fuel, and any cargo you would take camping. Subtract that figure from the GCWR that should be on a sticker on a door jamb. That is the maximum weight you can tow, and only consider trailers with a GVWR of that figure or less.