TT Weight limits: theory and reality

APT wrote:
My 2003 F-150 was 0-500 pounds over GVWR every camping trip for 2 summers. It handled great when my Reese DC was correctly adjusted. Such is the experience of many overloaded RVers.

Now find how many people in that situation upgrade their TV with more capability. Every one in my informal survey thought the difference was significantly improved. Some were previously "happy" with how the overloaded TV handled, some were a bit nervous. All seemed surprised at just how well their upgraded TV improved the comfort of towing.

As a card carrying member of the weight police, I don't recommend people plan to purchase an RV/TV combo that puts them overloaded, especially newbies to RV towing. It would be fine with a good hitch. But it could be a lot better!

Besides comfort, most half tons or smaller when towing a TT that puts them at/over GVWR also puts them at/over rear axle ratings.

I fit your description well. We bought our tow vehicle, the Roadmaster wagon, a few years before we bought our trailer. We tent camped and planned to continue to do that. We knew there was the possibility that we'd want to get a trailer someday and it turns out that we did. In 2008 we bought our trailer and assumed based on the NADA website and the title information the trailer weighed in the 3300-3700 lb range. Loaded up I figured we'd be around 4500 lbs. After a rotten first trip I bought a dual cam WDH and it towed pretty nice after that. We even took a trip out and all around NY state in 2009 and were very happy with the towing other than the super windy day on the way back. I figure if it tows great 12 out of 13 days, it isn't too bad. Still felt stable at 55mph which is what we did. Eventually weighed everything and found we were towing a 5600lb trailer with a 970lb tongue weight and were over nearly every rating except the tire ratings which we were well within. When those 245/60R17 XL Michelin tires wore out I upgraded to 235/65VR17 XL Bridgestone performance summer tires. Felt even better and in 2012 we went all the way down to the Smokey Mountains, towed great the whole time. People that complain of inadequately geared vehicles don't know how bad it can be. I have a 2.93 rear end and I just drop it to 2nd when we need to go up a larger hill, never had an issue although I always wished for better gearing. As nicely as the wagon worked overloaded, I didn't want to stay that way forever. Last summer we borrowed an F350 with the 6.0 diesel. Worked great but decided we didn't like a pick-up as well as the a wagon/suv body. That led to buying the 8.1L 2500 Suburban that is probably overkill for our trailer in some respects. We might upgrade the trailer in a few years however. We did fine overloaded, but didn't plan to stay overloaded. If only we knew back then what we knew now. Looking forward to a trip to Maine towing with the Suburban this summer.