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bbweasel's avatar
bbweasel
Explorer
Jan 08, 2014

Potential Tow Vehicle and Weights Question ..

Hello everyone... I just purchased a travel trailer with a 5000# dry weight GVWR of 7500# and 29' long and a E4 10000/1000 WDH. I estimate not putting over 1000# in the trailer for camping. Using the Towing Weights spreadsheet from the Hybrid Explorer Forum, it shows that I would be around 45# overweight on a truck with a 1360# payload capacity with family of 4, WDH weight, full tank of gas, etc. I have not factored in adding a set of running boards or truck bed liner at this point. Should I be looking for a 1/2 ton with a larger payload or is this close enough? The truck can tow up to 9900# but the payload is on the low side. My target tow vehicle is a Toyota Tundra (don't shoot me here) but would be open to other 1/2 tons if this is cutting it close.
Tow Vehicles

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  • bbweasel's avatar
    bbweasel
    Explorer
    Jan 08, 2014
    Thank you for all your responses so far. I did check with a couple Toyota dealers and they are saying the a full tank of gas is included in the door sticker payload# and shouldn't deduct the 150# in my payload calculations. Is this typical? I only tow about 8-10 times/year and would rather not move to a 3/4 ton so I will check out the GM and Ford offerings.
  • Me_Again's avatar
    Me_Again
    Explorer III
    Jan 08, 2014
    donn0128 wrote:
    Your using fuzzy math for your calculations. Never and I mean NEVER rely on published numbers from vehicle manufacturers. Base everything on the worst case scenario and if you come in under those numbers it will be a bonus.


    That is why using the trailer's GVWR is a much better number for to use.

    Chris
  • hone_eagle's avatar
    hone_eagle
    Explorer
    Jan 08, 2014
    .................and then you love camping soooooo much.

    you hear "honey how about a bigger trailer"?
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    Jan 08, 2014
    Your using fuzzy math for your calculations. Never and I mean NEVER rely on published numbers from vehicle manufacturers. Base everything on the worst case scenario and if you come in under those numbers it will be a bonus.
  • APT's avatar
    APT
    Explorer
    Jan 08, 2014
    I think a half ton with more payload is plenty. Ford offers the max trailer towing package which boosts payload by 250-450 pounds to about 1800 for an XLT crew cab 4WD. 2014+ GM twins have standard payload in the 1700 pounds range for crew cab 4WD as well. Skip the Ram, less than Tundra.
  • fla-gypsy's avatar
    fla-gypsy
    Explorer
    Jan 08, 2014
    If you haven't acquired the truck yet I would look for one with more payload. I would never recommend exceeding the established limits.
  • downtheroad's avatar
    downtheroad
    Explorer
    Jan 08, 2014
    It's close...but, I suspect with a family and all the "family" stuff you will end up hauling along you will be more over weight than you think...it just happens.

    We towed for a year oo so with a close, "marginal" tow vehicle and I hated it, and ended up needing a new transmission..

    I would give it a try and then make a decision based on how it goes and on your comfort level.
  • Cummins12V98's avatar
    Cummins12V98
    Explorer III
    Jan 08, 2014
    You really should have more dog than you need for the tail when it comes to a TT vs a FW.
  • skipnchar's avatar
    skipnchar
    Explorer
    Jan 08, 2014
    Being that much overweight is usually not a big issue but it's kind of like flying in an air plane with a given number of rivets removed from the wing. Each individual rivet does little to weaken the wing but collectively they make it very dangerous at some point. Not likely you're at that point but they have to draw a line somewhere. I NEVER recommend towing overweight but probably wouldn't let 50 lb. keep me awake at night. The REAL important matter will be when you load for a trip. Loading a trailer using a bathroom scale doesn't sound like fun to me AND nearly every trailer weighs quite a bit more a year after purchase so clean it out regularly.

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