Really having a tough time understanding tow info

lbrjet wrote:
The GCWR is the max tow rating number plus an empty truck, not plus the 9500 GVWR number for the truck.

yep...It's the truck manufacturer's recommendation, (not to exceed), highest combined weight of truck and what it's towing,,,(loaded truck plus loaded camper). If it's 20,500#, then, supposedly, the combo, (when hooked up), shouldn't weigh more than that....

The GCWR is the max tow rating number plus an empty truck, not plus the 9500 GVWR number for the truck.

gattorgetter wrote:
Ok I have neither as of yet. Want a 5TH wheel TH.
Was looking at 2016 GMC 2500 HD gas.here are some specs that I pulled up online for just about the truck I am looking at.
Curb 6459
Payload 3274
GVWR MAX 9500
Max 5th wheel 14100
GCWR 20500

So loaded truck and loaded 5th wheel should not exceed 20500#?

But max gvwr and max 5th wheel = 23600#

So I take curb weight plus all things I would put in truck.... me passenger and 5th wheel hitch.. so let's say 800# (not traveling more than 2 hrs from home)
6460+800= 7260 so that would leave me with 2240# for pin weight of 5th wheel?

Doesn't matter how far you're traveling from home. Safety is first...Some are stating to get a 1ton SRW truck instead of the 2500... You can get identical truck configuration, add more payload and pay just a tad more for the 3500..

As stated...I'd pick out the TH FIRST, THEN match the right truck for it..AND do yourself another favor and use the TH's GVW....not it's empty or dry weight to get a more realistic idea of what you'll REALLY be towing..take 20% of TH's GVW to get an idea of how much pin weight you'll be putting in the bed of the truck.

sh410 wrote:
The specs you are looking at online may not be accurate. For example: curb weight can be for a stripper model. Go to a dealer and look at several trucks might interest you. and check on the door jam for max load.

Ideally, first select the trailer you want and take 20% of the GVWR of the trailer. That will give you the Pin weight. Then go find the correct tow vehicle to pull it.

I may be 2500 or 3500 or a 3500 dually. (Ford: F250 or F350)

Then the question will be gas or

Agree 100%

Aside from that, I think I think the OP has a pretty good understanding of what is involved.

The specs you are looking at online may not be accurate. For example: curb weight can be for a stripper model. Go to a dealer and look at several trucks might interest you. and check on the door jam for max load.

Ideally, first select the trailer you want and take 20% of the GVWR of the trailer. That will give you the Pin weight. Then go find the correct tow vehicle to pull it.

I may be 2500 or 3500 or a 3500 dually. (Ford: F250 or F350)

Then the question will be gas or

Those are "brochure" ratings and weights for the truck. What cab and bed are you interested in? The best thing to do is to look in the drivers door jamb for a yellow sticker. It will state: All passengers and cargo not to exceed XXXXlbs".

So as you asked, all passengers, cargo (includes any accessories added to the truck: step bars, mud flaps, bed liner, etc), 5th wheel hitch, and the pin weight of the 5ver!!! These added up should be less than the amount on the yellow sticker. While the 5ver tow rating is higher, the gcwr is the max the truck and loaded 5ver should weigh... If you had only 1 passenger, no cargo, and a light 5ver hitch, you could have a heavier 5ver. If you have 4 passengers, firewood, and a heavy slider hitch, the loaded 5ver should weigh less to not exceed the gcwr.

IF you are looking at a 5ver TH, I would also suggest only looking at 3500's! The extra payload for about the same price will be worth it. There may be times you tow with an empty garage, which will mean a heavier pin weight.

It is a fine balance of the gcwr- the loaded truck (all passengers, cargo, and the hitch)= available total loaded 5ver weight pending the pin weight does not make the truck exceed the gvwr.

agesilaus wrote:
First thing, buy a one ton pickup. It won't cost you much more considering the price of a truck, and I've never heard anyone complain about having too much truck.

Now you have, I Have Too Much Truck. Contrary to popular belief, there are drawbacks to having more truck then you need. In my case, bigger is not better, and I don't get a do over.

Still doesn't help me understand all the ratings in just flat out buying a 1 ton truck.

First thing, buy a one ton pickup. It won't cost you much more considering the price of a truck, and I've never heard anyone complain about having too much truck.

Ok I have neither as of yet. Want a 5TH wheel TH.
Was looking at 2016 GMC 2500 HD gas.here are some specs that I pulled up online for just about the truck I am looking at.
Curb 6459
Payload 3274
GVWR MAX 9500
Max 5th wheel 14100
GCWR 20500

So loaded truck and loaded 5th wheel should not exceed 20500#?

But max gvwr and max 5th wheel = 23600#

So I take curb weight plus all things I would put in truck.... me passenger and 5th wheel hitch.. so let's say 800# (not traveling more than 2 hrs from home)
6460+800= 7260 so that would leave me with 2240# for pin weight of 5th wheel?