The old adage applies... "How do you explain sex to a virgin"... :B
Most half ton's run out of RGAWR first and then GVWR next (most, not
ALL)
There are what I call 'fake half tons' out there and they have a
RGAWR of 6,000 lbs....vs....most half tons with their ~4K RGAWRs
Comments embedded below in red
unh044 wrote:
I'm sure you will all feel that this topic is beaten to death, but in spite of a TON of reading, I'm still not sure I understand, so I figured I'd better ask.
I'm looking at a 37foot long trailer, a K-Z 329ik, which weighs 8100ish pounds empty. GVWR on it is 9500 pounds. Thus begins the issue...
My current truck is a 2016 Silverado 1500, 5.3, and 3.42 gear ratio. My read is that my truck isn't big enough for this camper. I can probably get it home empty, but once stuff starts getting added to it, I'll be over weight very quickly.
I've been looking at new rigs, and done the math, and on paper the new Ford F150s, outfitted properly, appear to be able to handle the weights. Again, this is on paper, according to the math. Everyone seems to say, though, that they wouldn't tow a camper this size with a 1/2 ton pickup, no matter what the math shows.
All OEMs have SEVERAL half tons in variing GVWR's, so be careful
when talking to make sure you and the other are talking about the
same GVWR...not a water melon vs an apple
Gather your TV's specifications/ratings as a first thing in prep
- GVWR
- FGAWR
- RGAWR
- GCWR
- Payload
Forget about it's MTWR (Max Tow Weight RAting), unless you own the
'curb'...AKA stripper with no options other than the tow option
Then go out and actually weigh your TV fully loaded ready to go
camping...axle by axle
Simple math will provide you with what is left for each of the
above ratings
For the trailer, take the total ACTUAL weight of the TV and subtract it
from the GCWR and is the 'actual' weight of the trailer your TV
is rated for
First...decide if you believe in the OEM ratings system or not.
If not, then academic discussion...if yes, then gather the above
info and do the simple math
So... what is the 3/4 ton going to give me that the properly outfitted 1/2 ton won't?
I'd rather have a 1/2 ton, since this is my daily driver, and I think a 3/4 ton will get old quickly on the frost heaved roads of New England. Having said that though, I know that safety is more important than comfort, so if I have to put up with driving a tank, so be it. I just want to better understand the "why" of it.
It is the exact opposite...the higher class and its higher ratings
will last much longer than the lower class TV in this condition...and
all other things being equal
Feel free to use small words, and pretend I'm an idiot.... thanks!
{edit}...
Forgot to mention that all things designed/engineered are NOT for
the good days when just about anything 'can' tow it, but for the
bad day Mr Murphy crosses your path...
Either you have the proper sized components, systems and adjusted
correctly spot on...or not. No time to go back to the store for
bigger, better...nor time to readjust...
To manhandle the situation and my preference is to have more than
enough vs just enough or less...
