New trailer, what do these weights mean?
Hi, we are brand new to travel trailers and I'm trying to get a grasp on what all of these weights mean to figure out if we're even towing safely. I have been trying to read all I can, but it's jus...
Forum Discussion
OK,,,, exhale
Basic on weights
Tow vehicle
Payload= all the weight you can add to the truck pushing it down,
This includes Trailer tongue weight, all passengers and supplies in the truck. Yours is 1433 lbs
Tow capacity = all the weoght your truck is designed to pull based on drivetrain, frame and design specs, it also is limited by what your truck is designed to be able to stop. Yours is 7800 lbs
Trailer weights
Dry weight is of minimal use since you dont tow empty. Yours is 5312 lbs
Trailer gvwr is the fully loaded weight, the most you should tow based on frame, axles, and wheels, in the trailer including batteries, water, supplies etc. yours appears to be 6598 lbs. a combination of the dry weight and CCC of the trailer.
To find the tongue weight, weigh just the trailer with it connected to the Truck, and then back up a couple of feet and unhitch so the trailer is totally on the scale. The difference is the tongue weight.
You truck insurance provides liability coverage for when you are towing the trailer.
Just travel slowly until you get comfortable. Get a feel for the stopping characteristics, they are the most crucial change from normal driving. If the trailer brakes are adjusted the rig should stop well, likely not as well as the truck by itself, but you should still feel you have normal control.
At a glance, your load looks ok with the exception that your weight distributing hitch should likely be tightened some, if you could shift an additional 200-300 lbs to the front would be a good move,
NOW for the important part, where ya goin?
Basic on weights
Tow vehicle
Payload= all the weight you can add to the truck pushing it down,
This includes Trailer tongue weight, all passengers and supplies in the truck. Yours is 1433 lbs
Tow capacity = all the weoght your truck is designed to pull based on drivetrain, frame and design specs, it also is limited by what your truck is designed to be able to stop. Yours is 7800 lbs
Trailer weights
Dry weight is of minimal use since you dont tow empty. Yours is 5312 lbs
Trailer gvwr is the fully loaded weight, the most you should tow based on frame, axles, and wheels, in the trailer including batteries, water, supplies etc. yours appears to be 6598 lbs. a combination of the dry weight and CCC of the trailer.
To find the tongue weight, weigh just the trailer with it connected to the Truck, and then back up a couple of feet and unhitch so the trailer is totally on the scale. The difference is the tongue weight.
You truck insurance provides liability coverage for when you are towing the trailer.
Just travel slowly until you get comfortable. Get a feel for the stopping characteristics, they are the most crucial change from normal driving. If the trailer brakes are adjusted the rig should stop well, likely not as well as the truck by itself, but you should still feel you have normal control.
At a glance, your load looks ok with the exception that your weight distributing hitch should likely be tightened some, if you could shift an additional 200-300 lbs to the front would be a good move,
NOW for the important part, where ya goin?
