Gman22 wrote:
Yup, spend some time at a scale and get some "real" numbers to work with. My experience with SUVs having owned and towed with 2 of them, payload (or RAWR) will get'cha first - well before any fantasy tow rating they put on your truck.
Very true statement.
Weigh the Tahoe and subtract it's actual weight from GVWR.
The difference between GVWR and actual weight, is available payload.
Then add up the weight of all passengers you plan to to have in the vehicle, add 100 lbs for a weight distribution hitch, and subtract that total from your available payload.
What's left is what you have to work with as far as loaded trailer tongue weight.
Take that number and divide it by .12. That will be your max loaded trailer weight.
Example:
Say you have 600 lbs available payload
600 divided by .12 = equals 5000 lb loaded trailer
Rv sales people will try to sell you a unit that has a UVW (unloaded weight) that falls within your capacity. Keep in mind, the only folks towing unloaded trailers, are the ones delivering to the dealers.
Average camping load (groceries, pots and pans, dishes, bedding, water, camping chairs, BBQ, etc) is about 1000 lbs. A 4000 lb UVW will be close (if not over) to 5000 lbs, ready to camp.
Note: Using 100 percent of available payload, puts you at max weight on the tow vehicle. An unplanned can of soda pop, will put you over GVWR.
