How heavy of a trailer can I get?
OK so I just posted another topic about my payload but after the help of others, I figured out that with everyone in the vehicle (including another child down the road) and our gas tank full we are le...
Forum Discussion
Francesca Knowles wrote:
Here's how I'd look at it if I were you:
You already know from your other thread here that after fuel/hubby/hitch you only have about 1300 pounds of payload available. Since that's before you've loaded you, the kids, the dogs, and etc., I'd reserve at least half that number for this purpose.
That leaves, say, six or seven hundred pounds for tongue weight, which most agree should be at least 10% of total trailer weight for optimum handling. In your case, that number is about seven hundred pounds, meaning a 7,000lb gross trailer, max. As others have pointed out,though, I too think it's unwise to push the outer limits/capacity of any component, so shopping for trailers more in the 6,000 pound-fully-loaded vicinity may be best.
I know this seems paltry next to the 9,000-plus "capacity" of the truck's other features, but as others have said, payload is often the limiter. And you might look at it this way: It seems to me that the vast reserve in horsepower and other capabilities etc. resulting from this much lighter-than-maximum combined tow limit will result in a very pleasurable towing experience.
Well said. :C
