weight question
In looking at the door stickers on my truck I am a little confused. The sticker that has the tire info states never exceed 3,720lbs payload. Trailering info sticker states same thing for max payload....
Forum Discussion
SUMRX4 wrote:
Thanks for the responses. I assume GM states max pin weight at 3100 even though the max payload is 3700 simply to give a little room for stuff that is going to be in the truck regardless. Fuel, Driver, etc.
I bought this truck thinking it would easily tow any 5er we would want. Well I didn't realize the floor plans we both want turned out to be 40+ feet long. Looking at luxury models in that length I am seeing GCWs in the 16,000 range. To error on the side of caution I'm taking 20% of the GCW for a theoretical "max" pin weight. But that's putting some of them at 3200 or better depending on model. Now I don't think she and I would ever max out any RV. It's just me and her and 2 dogs. No kids etc. I have had two TT previously and I doubt I ever had 1,000 pounds of stuff in either of them.
All that being said I don't want to do something stupid and put us and others at risk on the road. Am I being to cautious or what? I'm only talking a couple hundred lbs. either way. Not like I'm wanting to hitch to something with a 5,000lb pin weight.
More than likely the 3100 vs 3700 is performance related, as the J2807 specs also include performance as part of the requirements.
The only thing the extra weight is going to do is slow you down.
As others have stated 20% is the exact opposite of "conservative." That's in "wishful thinking" territory. Conservative would be looking at it from a worst case scenario. With a 40'+ 5ver you could be looking at a pin weight of 5000lbs, which is less than 33% of your trailer's GVWR.
Safety is about having a well maintained vehicle in good condition more than anything else. The performance, or lack thereof, will drive you toward a more capable vehicle LONG before what you are driving is truly "unsafe" if you are anywhere near the ratings.
