Forum Discussion

boonie's avatar
boonie
Explorer
Apr 06, 2017

Tow Vehicle vs Trailer question

Looking at a new trailer that would basically be towed to our lake lot then left permanently unless warranty work needed to be done. I am really looking to get everyone's opinion on the trailer size/weight vs tow vehicle capabilities as I am COMPLETELY confused when it comes to this!!!

I currently drive a 2102 Ram 3500 4X4 Laramie HD, regular box, SRWD, crew cab (4 full doors) HO 6.7 CTD. It has the full DPF and EGR delete, a 4' Flow Pro turbo back exhaust with a custom MAP and transmission tune from Double R diesel.

I am looking at purchasing a 2017 Coachman Chaparral 392MBL. The specs are as follows....

Hitch Weight - 2452 lbs
UVW - 12520 lbs
GVWR - 14500 lbs
CCC - 1980 lbs - Not sure what this is

If need be, I also have access to the father in law's 2003 common rail 3500 (i believe) 2WD dually.

What does everyone think? Like I said, we don't travel around, we just go from our lake lot back to the city
Tow Vehicles

19 Replies

  • rowekmr's avatar
    rowekmr
    Explorer
    Apr 16, 2017
    GCWR-Gross COMBINED Weight Rating is the max weight they specify for loaded truck AND trailer.
    GVWR-Gross Vehicle Weight Rating is the max weight for truck, fuel, payload, etc

    dodge guy wrote:
    boonie wrote:
    Would having a 3:73 rear end change anything???? I forgot to mention that in my original post. If I am reading the "charts" right that gives me a 21000 GCWR and a 10,100 payload.

    Please correct me if I am wrong as I usually am with this stuff but.....assuming the worst case just for numbers and my "new trailer" weighs in at 14,000 even, would that mean I can only have 7000 lbs of truck, fuel, hitch, cargo and passengers? Does that not put me over my limit? I am assuming that with a starting dry weight of 12,5 it would not take long at all to reach 2000 lbs of food, water, dishes, clothes etc or am I WAY off base?

    Also, how does payload factor into everything? Is that where the hitch weight gets deducted from? Now my head is spinning......


    You need to get your weights correct.
    The truck has 5 ratings...
    Front and Rear GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) the most the axles can weigh.
    GCWR (the most the truck can weigh, most times its less than the added up axle ratings.
    CCC (Cargo Carrying Capacity) how much stuff you can have in the truck, this is the difference between the trucks empty weight and its GVWR, cargo includes you, wife and anything you put in/on the truck including the trailers pin weight.
    And finally you have the Tow Rating (how much your truck is rated to tow).

    All this also applies to the trailer with the addition of pin weight.

    Good luck!
  • fj12ryder's avatar
    fj12ryder
    Explorer III
    Apr 07, 2017
    If you're packed to the Gross Vehicle Weight of the trailer you'd be around 2,800 lbs. of pin weight.

    I simply can't imagine that a 1 ton truck will have much of an issue with that payload. Hook it up and go for cryin' out loud. :)
  • boonie's avatar
    boonie
    Explorer
    Apr 07, 2017
    fj12ryder wrote:
    How far are you planning on moving this trailer?

    I'm pulling a 15,000 lb. toyhauler with my 2001 Dodge dually. I simply don't see any issues with you pulling that trailer. Especially if you're only talking a one-time short distance tow.

    The only real problem could, read could, be if you are under licensed for the combined weight, i.e. truck and trailer.


    It would be roughly 180 miles or 300 KM here in Canada. As for licensing, where I live, we don't really have those "requirements" here for recreational RV's. Since we have not ventured anywhere else in 20 years, it's safe to say we won't be anytime soon.

    Do you have to be careful how you load it? Is 15,000 lb your max GVWR of the trailer or what it weighs loaded? I'm just concerned that with a SRW truck and 17" E rated tires, I may be too close. I've also been towing a 7500 pound 33 foot trailer and don't want to go back to struggling to pull it but wat be be WELL within the safety limits
  • fj12ryder's avatar
    fj12ryder
    Explorer III
    Apr 07, 2017
    How far are you planning on moving this trailer?

    I'm pulling a 15,000 lb. toyhauler with my 2001 Dodge dually. I simply don't see any issues with you pulling that trailer. Especially if you're only talking a one-time short distance tow.

    The only real problem could, read could, be if you are under licensed for the combined weight, i.e. truck and trailer.
  • blt2ski's avatar
    blt2ski
    Moderator
    Apr 07, 2017
    Unless you need warranty work, and dealer will not send a mobile person, that would be ONLY reason to tow trailer somewhere. OR YOU pay for mobile service, they pay for time at jobsite. If it is not warranty work, you can usually find a mobile person to go work on trailers like this. You could be driving a prius for that matter.
    BUT, as noted, depending upon the legality in your area, you should be fine towing that trailer to and from a shop, or for that matter, down to FL if you want to snowbird.

    Marty
  • dodge_guy's avatar
    dodge_guy
    Explorer II
    Apr 07, 2017
    boonie wrote:
    Would having a 3:73 rear end change anything???? I forgot to mention that in my original post. If I am reading the "charts" right that gives me a 21000 GCWR and a 10,100 payload.

    Please correct me if I am wrong as I usually am with this stuff but.....assuming the worst case just for numbers and my "new trailer" weighs in at 14,000 even, would that mean I can only have 7000 lbs of truck, fuel, hitch, cargo and passengers? Does that not put me over my limit? I am assuming that with a starting dry weight of 12,5 it would not take long at all to reach 2000 lbs of food, water, dishes, clothes etc or am I WAY off base?

    Also, how does payload factor into everything? Is that where the hitch weight gets deducted from? Now my head is spinning......


    You need to get your weights correct.
    The truck has 5 ratings...
    Front and Rear GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) the most the axles can weigh.
    GCWR (the most the truck can weigh, most times its less than the added up axle ratings.
    CCC (Cargo Carrying Capacity) how much stuff you can have in the truck, this is the difference between the trucks empty weight and its GVWR, cargo includes you, wife and anything you put in/on the truck including the trailers pin weight.
    And finally you have the Tow Rating (how much your truck is rated to tow).

    All this also applies to the trailer with the addition of pin weight.

    Good luck!
  • deltabravo's avatar
    deltabravo
    Nomad
    Apr 07, 2017
    JnJnKatiebug wrote:
    rhagfo wrote:
    Well assuming that you have a 2012 Ram 3500 SRW, you should be within all numbers towing that 5er.

    If you are waiting for a 2102 Ram, can't help!


    Maybe it is equipped with a flux capacitor.


    1.21 jigawatt variety.

    I bet is has a turbo encabulator too, to help with fluxes and phase detractors, and to minimize modial interaction.
  • boonie's avatar
    boonie
    Explorer
    Apr 07, 2017
    Would having a 3:73 rear end change anything???? I forgot to mention that in my original post. If I am reading the "charts" right that gives me a 21000 GCWR and a 10,100 payload.

    Please correct me if I am wrong as I usually am with this stuff but.....assuming the worst case just for numbers and my "new trailer" weighs in at 14,000 even, would that mean I can only have 7000 lbs of truck, fuel, hitch, cargo and passengers? Does that not put me over my limit? I am assuming that with a starting dry weight of 12,5 it would not take long at all to reach 2000 lbs of food, water, dishes, clothes etc or am I WAY off base?

    Also, how does payload factor into everything? Is that where the hitch weight gets deducted from? Now my head is spinning......

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