Trying to understand payload
We are getting ready to upsize our current truck and camper and hit the road full-time. We have been having trouble finding a truck that can handle the payload of most small to medium 5th wheels. Mo...
Forum Discussion
sch911 wrote:
Payload = GVWR - Actual weight of your Truck
The actual weight should include everything you intend to have on board when towing, including the hitch, all the people, gear, pets, and fuel.
Actual weights must be used. Ratings don't count, neither does the "curb" weight".
Yes it's that simple of a calculation....
One thing to clarify - it's not just the weight of the hitch but also the pin weight. Meaning, the weight the 5th imposes on the bed of the truck. This is where it really adds up. A 5th wheel puts somewhere around 20% of its weight on the pin. So, a 10K 5th adds 2K to the GVWR of the truck. That's why you run out of room so fast compared to a TT.
Trailers generally put closer to 10% on the truck so the same 10K but with a TT only impacts your GVWR by 1000# as opposed to the 2000# for the same weight 5th.
