GVWR vs. dry weight

Anybody around these parts ever read anything I've posted knows I'm a bit of a doofus. Yes I'm new - I mean, wasn't everybody new at one time? Don't judge me man, lest ye be judged. Anyways, I took Mrs. Killer out RV shopping the other day and I should gouge out my eyes for it, because I went from getting off easy to being locked in a cage with a wolf. My TV is an f150. I just brought it home yesterday - it's red...red! I never had a red car before but always secretly wanted one. A red TRUCK just enhances the whole fantastic experience. But I'm off track. So I've got that 5.0, the factory tow package, 9000 pound capacity, 3.55 gears, and I have 2067 pounds of by-God payload. Now we upgraded from a Frontier so my little centerfold says we can go way, way, way up in trailer size and I'm in agreement, but it's the kind of agreement where you just want a happy wife and easy living. So she's moving from place to place on trailers and for the most part she's settling in the 7000-7500 pound GVWR rating, which seems to be the sweet spot for a family of our size. Not wanting to be a disappointment to her (again) I'm working hard on the math and this is what occurred to me: a dual axle trailer with maybe a 5200 pound dry weight and a 7500 pound GVWR just has a really large carrying capacity that a family of three most likely will never approach. Heck, we could pile all the Killer's possessions right out here on the back sidewalk and they wouldn't amount to much more than 2000 pounds, so there's no way on God's good green Earth we're going to carry 2100 pounds in a travel trailer. I'm right, right? (Please tell me I am). I'm thinking I'm in the 5200 dry range,I'm going to load up maybe a thousand, and at 6300 or so I should be good to go with that Ford. Please tell me what you think folks, because the money is in the pocket burning a hole and my next series of posts will be along the lines of "what the hell am I doing wrong?"

30 Replies

KillerIsMe
Explorer
Mar 07, 2017
colliehauler wrote:
Have you thought of renting a TT to see what you like and don't like? I think you will find RV'ers are generally friendly and willing to help if asked. You can take your RV to a empty parking lot and practice backing.

You know, I HAVE thought of renting. The only thing with that is the wife has it set in stone we're buying a new - not used, new - travel trailer and we're going to love it. If we find it's not for us and take a depreciation hit, well so be it. She's been talking about it for three years and for those three years I've been reluctant - the Nissan is too small, trailers are expensive, what if we don't like it - just one excuse after another. But you know, it's one of those get busy living or get busy dying things. I'm 61, she's 50, our little girl is 10 - last I checked we weren't getting any younger. So I know you are right about renting, and I know the advice about buying used is sound advice, but I'm not putting her off any longer about this. It's only money, and I can't reasonably compare a few thousand dollars to my wife's being happy. Heck I was the same way with the dog - I didn't want the responsibility of being a man with a dog but that dog never leaves my side and she's truly my companion. My wife is right about a lot of things. Besides, I got a big red f150 out of the deal.

Anyways, that parking lot idea is a ringer! I don't know why I didn't think of it (actually I do know - I don't think well outside the box).
PAThwacker
Explorer
Mar 07, 2017
Take a drive to any state park on the weekend. Count the lugs. Look at trucks during commute and ask where are the 8 lugs.

Would you use a finishing hammer to drive in post sign?

Do you go hiking with flip flops on?
colliehauler
Explorer III
Mar 07, 2017
Have you thought of renting a TT to see what you like and don't like? I think you will find RV'ers are generally friendly and willing to help if asked. You can take your RV to a empty parking lot and practice backing.
KillerIsMe
Explorer
Mar 07, 2017
Thanks Friends. When we take our first trip to a campground and I spend the first two hours trying to back the trailer into a spot and the next two hours trying to figure out leveling and what goes where I sure hope the folks around me are as kind to us as you all are. And I apologize for all the stupid questions but I'm nervous and excited and at my age I just can't afford to make too many mistakes. My wife really scared me when she went to the 7500 GVWR trailers and locked in on those models. My ears heard her say "this one is perfect", but my mind was screaming "we'll kill the new truck! Maybe we can pack light...yeah, that's what we'll do! We'll pack light...", and on and on. Guess I should stop worrying, and I imagine I will after the TT is bought and the shakedown cruise has been completed.
troubledwaters
Nomad
Mar 07, 2017
In my experience with my family of 4, 1500 lbs is a reasonable estimate. But the big thing is how much water will you be taking? You can easily gain or shed 400 lbs depending on how much water you carry.

Also remember this, things like that 100 lbs toolbox when carried in the bed of the truck add 100 lbs to the payload. Carried in the TT over the axle and it only adds 12 lbs to the payload. Point being, load that TT up and carry less in the truck.

Go to this site HERE look on the left side of the sheet for a button that says "towing capacities", it will give you a handy xls worksheet for figuring this all out.
beemerphile1
Explorer
Mar 07, 2017
Old-Biscuit wrote:
Family of three, easy to have 2000# of stuff...

Yep, 2,000# isn't that much.
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Mar 07, 2017
I always recommend adding 12-1500lbs to the dry weight. its not hard for a family to approach 1500lbs. Heck I`m at 2k lbs after years of traveling.

Even still you will be OK with a 7500lb trailer with your F150, 2klbs CCC in a 1/2 ton is respectable. and the 5.0 has the power to move it.
FLY_4_FUN
Explorer
Mar 07, 2017
Even at 5200lb dry, you add in two freshly filled LP tanks, one rv battery and your up over 100 lbs already. Factory options may add even more. Not hard to add 1k - 2k in stuff for a family of 3 even if you think it wont happen. Congrats on the new truck, and I hope you find a great trailer to meet your families needs while still being comfortable to tow.
colliehauler
Explorer III
Mar 07, 2017
On my TT with a 100 gallon water tank is 800#, battery weight, propane weight in addition to what was mentioned above. It adds up quick.

You are already on the right track by asking questions before you buy instead of after.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Mar 07, 2017
Family of three.......easy to have 2000# of stuff
Food...can/boxed/frozen type PLUS perishables
Cleaning supplies
Soap/shampoo
Pots/pans
Dishes...glasses
Utensils
Clothes
Lawn chairs
BBQ/Grill
Tools
Leveling items
Chocks
Toys/Games/CDs/DVDs
Sewer hoses
Water hoses
Garden hose
Power cord/adapters
STUFF

Dry weight doesn't include propane/battery/water

Adds up quickly

Also that payload of 2067 disappears quickly
Passengers, stuff in console/door pockets/seat pockets, stuff on seats, under seats, backpacks, bags, stuff in truck bed and hitch---all get subtracted from payload then you have to account for trailer tongue weight (12-15% of actual trailer camp ready weight)

Pay attention to trucks RAWR, Rear Tire Max load ratings and GCVWR
Stay under those and good to go.

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GVWR vs. dry weight

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