I am going to have the burb weighed with me and full tank....then recalculate.
And please don't get me wrong- I have calculated and researched for three weeks before I even started to post- the safety and security of my family is top priority- hence the reason for the post...
As for the 700# passenger yes...well almost...
Me, wife, 3 boys, pet =600 (+\-)
8.33# at 29 gal = 242
So slightly off... = 842#
Well UNDER the estimated 1400-1600# cargo (based off sticker) since there will be very little gear in the burb-"hopefully"...
And yes adding the modifications does not change the sticker but it does change the towing capacity- just like if I changed from the 3.42 to 4.11 gears- my towing #age is increased. I was estimating 12% for tongue weight - so basing off 6500# puts the TW at 744- hence replacing the OEM class III with a class IV....
Still basing everything from the sticker, etc... I still feel a bit "uneasy" about it - would rather be closer to the 4000-4500# dry weight this putting less wear on the TV. And yes I do realize the importance if using actual weights- but in prior experience the stickers are not too far off.
Spoon059- I agree- we are looking to take a year or so and travel- up north/ Canada in the summer, NE in the fall- south in the winter and back around- no rush, no "set"'plans- and probably more back roads than interstates - and being in Texas I know the heat issue...
All that being said- can I afford to go get a 1-ton dually - yes, do I want to no... Three boys in the second row if a truck will drive us both nuts and them as well.... At the same time I have owned this burb most of its life- and not really wanting to go with something older like an excursion or someone else's problem they are selling - the "unknown" factor.....