Payload Rating vs Tongue Weight
I have a vehicle with a 5000lbs tow rating, 1296lbs payload capacity, and 500lbs tongue weight rating. When I see people calculating the towing capacity I don't see them considering the tongue weig...
Forum Discussion
Thank you. Being a unibody passenger vehicle, my guess is rear GAWR and the hitch attachment points on the chassis. Both of those are a non-issue @ 500 lbs tongue on a light truck.
Based on 975 lbs remaining capacity: at 500 lbs tongue, geometry would place around 600 on the rear axle, leaving 2 passengers in the rear seat, or 1 pass and some rear cargo before capacity is reached.
The factory attachment points are essentially strengthened sheet metal. The actual bolt holes may experience 2 - 3 times the tongue weight depending on hitch geometry. 500 lbs may be all the OEM engineers want to validate, given shock loading (say a speed bump).
Now, if you ensure no weight behind the front seats, remove the spare tire, and strength all attachment points with steel plate, I'm sure you can safely go above 500 lbs. As long as you remain within rear GAWR. As long as you're okay with any risk.
Based on 975 lbs remaining capacity: at 500 lbs tongue, geometry would place around 600 on the rear axle, leaving 2 passengers in the rear seat, or 1 pass and some rear cargo before capacity is reached.
The factory attachment points are essentially strengthened sheet metal. The actual bolt holes may experience 2 - 3 times the tongue weight depending on hitch geometry. 500 lbs may be all the OEM engineers want to validate, given shock loading (say a speed bump).
Now, if you ensure no weight behind the front seats, remove the spare tire, and strength all attachment points with steel plate, I'm sure you can safely go above 500 lbs. As long as you remain within rear GAWR. As long as you're okay with any risk.
