Forum Discussion
handye9
Mar 15, 2016Explorer II
You're definitely in heavy duty van area.
The towing capacity is not the only number you need to look at. Besides that mythical tow rating, the tow vehicle has ratings for what it can carry (payload AKA cargo carrying capacity), what it can weigh (GVWR), and what the combined truck and trailer weight (GCVWR) can be. All of these numbers are inter-related. Increasing weight in one area, reduces capacity in others.
Things to keep in mind:
Max tow rating is what the vehicle could tow, under perfect conditions. Those conditions DO NOT include aftermarket accessories, passengers, or cargo. Passenger, accessory, and cargo weight reduces available payload and tow capacity, pound for pound. You will need a weight distributing hitch for the trailer. It will take another 100 lbs.
Trailer tongue weight averages 12 - 13 percent of loaded trailer weight. Depending on layout and loading, it can be as high as 15 - 16 percent. This weight counts against your available payload.
Example:
Say the tow vehicle has 12000 lb tow capacity and 2400 lbs of payload.
Now, if you add 1500 lbs of people and cargo (including the hitch), that vehicle only has 900 lbs of payload available for tongue weight, and it's max tow capacity is reduced to 10,500 lbs.
In this scenario, the 900 lb available payload, is not enough to support a 10,000 lb trailer.
Here's a link to a calculator that may help with your plans.
The towing capacity is not the only number you need to look at. Besides that mythical tow rating, the tow vehicle has ratings for what it can carry (payload AKA cargo carrying capacity), what it can weigh (GVWR), and what the combined truck and trailer weight (GCVWR) can be. All of these numbers are inter-related. Increasing weight in one area, reduces capacity in others.
Things to keep in mind:
Max tow rating is what the vehicle could tow, under perfect conditions. Those conditions DO NOT include aftermarket accessories, passengers, or cargo. Passenger, accessory, and cargo weight reduces available payload and tow capacity, pound for pound. You will need a weight distributing hitch for the trailer. It will take another 100 lbs.
Trailer tongue weight averages 12 - 13 percent of loaded trailer weight. Depending on layout and loading, it can be as high as 15 - 16 percent. This weight counts against your available payload.
Example:
Say the tow vehicle has 12000 lb tow capacity and 2400 lbs of payload.
Now, if you add 1500 lbs of people and cargo (including the hitch), that vehicle only has 900 lbs of payload available for tongue weight, and it's max tow capacity is reduced to 10,500 lbs.
In this scenario, the 900 lb available payload, is not enough to support a 10,000 lb trailer.
Here's a link to a calculator that may help with your plans.
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