New to travel trailers. Seeking guidance
Hi everyone. While I am not new to camping I am new to the whole RV style of camping. My name is Jason. My wife and I are in the market looking to purchase a new (not used) tow behind travel trailer...
Forum Discussion
Forget about the 10,000 lbs towing capacity. That number is for marketing pruposes only. You will run out of payload, before you get close to that 10000 lbs.
Here's a simple analogy:
You have a four wheeled wagon, loaded with 2000 lbs bricks. You can pull that wagon, by yourself. You have 2000 lbs tow capacity. Now, take the front wheels off that wagon, and, you can't pick up the 500 lb tongue. You still have 2000 lbs of bricks, but, you can't pull them because, your legs and back can't support an extra 500 lbs. You have the tow capacity, but, you don't have the payload.
Some points to consider:
Tongue weight of a travel trailer averages 12 - 13 percent of total trailer weight. A 10000 lbs trailer would be about 12 - 1300 lbs tongue weight.
UVW or dry weights are only good for estimating loaded trailer weight.
Average camping load (dishes, bedding, camping gear, groceries, water) is 800 - 1000 lbs.
Towing at max weight, can be quite unpleasant.
Truck and trailer each have their own GVWR and Cargo Carrying (payload) Capacity
Your Tundra's GVWR is max weight your Tundra is rated to carry.
Your payload number is your GVWR minus what the truck actually weighs.
Payload is available weight capacity for passengers, cargo (in or on the truck), weight distribution hitch (80 - 100 lbs), and trailer tongue weight. Everything and everybody you put in or on the truck, takes away from your payload, pound for pound.
There should be a sticker on your drivers door post. It shows your tire and loading (GVWR and payload) info.
Find your payload number, then subtract for estimated cargo, passengers, and WD hitch. Whatever is left over is available for tongue weight.
If you want a ball park figure of loaded trailer weight that would put you at or near max weight, divide the payload, you have available for tongue weight, by .13.
Example:
Say you have 900 lbs payload available -- 900 divided by .13 = 6923 lbs.
Here's a simple analogy:
You have a four wheeled wagon, loaded with 2000 lbs bricks. You can pull that wagon, by yourself. You have 2000 lbs tow capacity. Now, take the front wheels off that wagon, and, you can't pick up the 500 lb tongue. You still have 2000 lbs of bricks, but, you can't pull them because, your legs and back can't support an extra 500 lbs. You have the tow capacity, but, you don't have the payload.
Some points to consider:
Tongue weight of a travel trailer averages 12 - 13 percent of total trailer weight. A 10000 lbs trailer would be about 12 - 1300 lbs tongue weight.
UVW or dry weights are only good for estimating loaded trailer weight.
Average camping load (dishes, bedding, camping gear, groceries, water) is 800 - 1000 lbs.
Towing at max weight, can be quite unpleasant.
Truck and trailer each have their own GVWR and Cargo Carrying (payload) Capacity
Your Tundra's GVWR is max weight your Tundra is rated to carry.
Your payload number is your GVWR minus what the truck actually weighs.
Payload is available weight capacity for passengers, cargo (in or on the truck), weight distribution hitch (80 - 100 lbs), and trailer tongue weight. Everything and everybody you put in or on the truck, takes away from your payload, pound for pound.
There should be a sticker on your drivers door post. It shows your tire and loading (GVWR and payload) info.
Find your payload number, then subtract for estimated cargo, passengers, and WD hitch. Whatever is left over is available for tongue weight.
If you want a ball park figure of loaded trailer weight that would put you at or near max weight, divide the payload, you have available for tongue weight, by .13.
Example:
Say you have 900 lbs payload available -- 900 divided by .13 = 6923 lbs.
