Finding out how much we can tow
We have a Dutchman Kodiak bunkhouse travel trailer. It's poorly made and crumbling before our eyes, but that's another issue for another post. We are looking to get a different RV and my hubby woul...
Forum Discussion
rhagfo wrote:keymastr wrote:
You cannot get the correct weight ratings for any truck from a chart. Each vehicle has a axle and tire loading sticker, usually on the drivers door sill but sometimes in the glove box or other location but it will have tire loads highlighted in yellow and will show all important weight limits for your particular vehicle as equipped.
I really hate to disagree with you on this, but as an Old school person, I find the VIN stricter far more informative. The only real somewhat valuable piece of information is the "Payload", but only as the truck sat when it came off the assembly line.
The VIN sticker has the four most important numbers.
#1. Stock tire size the ALL the other numbers are based on!
#2. RGAWR Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating. Max weight allowed on the rear axle.
#3. FGAWR Front Gross Axle Weight Rating. Max weight allowed on the front axle.
#4. GVWR Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. The maximum the TV should weigh.
True payload is the GVWR Minus current weight of the TV loaded as ready for camping.
On Edit: Depending the GVWR of your truck,and if it is a Cummins or Gas engine you likely be over your GVWR with the Cummins.
That said, I tow a 11,000# 5er that has a GVWR of 12,360#, YES OVER GVWR, but still have almost 700# of rear axle capacity. If your GVWR is 9,200# you will be over, if 10,000# you might be OK.
See, none of this makes ANY sense to me. How in the world is a layperson supposed to know what they can tow? It's frustrating that the dealers either don't know or won't tell you because they just want you to buy something.
