Need Some Advice on Used TT Purchase
Hello All! I'm new to this forum--but knew I could come here and get some solid advice for purchasing a used TT. We're towing with a 2005 Armada (9100 lbs), but in crunching the real numbers---I th...
Forum Discussion
I still think you're confused on what some of the weights mean. GCWR is the gross combined weight rating. It means the max weight of the tow vehicle and the trailer together. The max weight of your Armada (GVWR) is 6800lbs so if you loaded it to the max then the trailer can weigh no more than 7800lbs. (14,600 - 6800 = 7800) Thats assuming you can still stay within your payload, axle and tire ratings as well which I think we proved you won't be able to with a trailer that heavy.
A 7800lbs trailer will have a tongue weight over 1000lbs. That weight counts towards your Armadas' payload rating (1400lbs) leaving you only 400lbs for your passengers and any stuff you carry in the truck.
If you really need a trailer that big you'll need a bigger tow vehicle.
There are a lot of numbers to be concerned with when towing. Some more important than others. You need to be concerned with the Armadas payload the most as it will max out well before reaching any other limit. Next is the trailers tongue weight, because it counts directly towards your payload.
Let's fix the numbers from your previous post.
Cargo in the Armada itself can not go over 1421 lbs.
Vehicle Weight: 6800(GVWR)
Occupants: 575 (counts towards payload)
Car Seats: 50 (counts towards payload)
Extra: 100 (counts towards payload)
Total = 725lbs of weight added to the truck
subtract that from max payload of 1421lbs = 696lbs (1421-725)
subtract another 75lbs for the weight of the WD hitch you need to tow with(696-75) = 621lbs
621lbs is what is left of payload. That is the maximum amount of weight that the truck can still carry before reaching its GVWR (6800lbs). The portion of the trailers weight that is carried by the tongue is added to the truck and counts towards the payload. Therefore the tongue weight of the loaded trailer cannot weigh more than 621lbs. A properly balanced trailer has about 13% of its weight carried by the tongue. So for example a 4800lbs trailer at 13% would have a tongue weight of 624lbs
In this case your looking at a trailer that weighs no more than 4800lbs loaded up. If you pack 800lbs worth of stuff into it (not hard for a family of 5) would mean the trailer weighs 4000lbs empty. Dry weight would be even less since it doesn't include options, propane, batteries etc.
To be safe and stay within limits you need a trailer that is under 4000lbs dry weight and under 5000lbs loaded otherwise you need a tow vehicle with more available payload (think 3/4ton truck or SUV)
A 7800lbs trailer will have a tongue weight over 1000lbs. That weight counts towards your Armadas' payload rating (1400lbs) leaving you only 400lbs for your passengers and any stuff you carry in the truck.
If you really need a trailer that big you'll need a bigger tow vehicle.
There are a lot of numbers to be concerned with when towing. Some more important than others. You need to be concerned with the Armadas payload the most as it will max out well before reaching any other limit. Next is the trailers tongue weight, because it counts directly towards your payload.
Let's fix the numbers from your previous post.
Cargo in the Armada itself can not go over 1421 lbs.
Vehicle Weight: 6800(GVWR)
Occupants: 575 (counts towards payload)
Car Seats: 50 (counts towards payload)
Extra: 100 (counts towards payload)
Total = 725lbs of weight added to the truck
subtract that from max payload of 1421lbs = 696lbs (1421-725)
subtract another 75lbs for the weight of the WD hitch you need to tow with(696-75) = 621lbs
621lbs is what is left of payload. That is the maximum amount of weight that the truck can still carry before reaching its GVWR (6800lbs). The portion of the trailers weight that is carried by the tongue is added to the truck and counts towards the payload. Therefore the tongue weight of the loaded trailer cannot weigh more than 621lbs. A properly balanced trailer has about 13% of its weight carried by the tongue. So for example a 4800lbs trailer at 13% would have a tongue weight of 624lbs
In this case your looking at a trailer that weighs no more than 4800lbs loaded up. If you pack 800lbs worth of stuff into it (not hard for a family of 5) would mean the trailer weighs 4000lbs empty. Dry weight would be even less since it doesn't include options, propane, batteries etc.
To be safe and stay within limits you need a trailer that is under 4000lbs dry weight and under 5000lbs loaded otherwise you need a tow vehicle with more available payload (think 3/4ton truck or SUV)
