Tow Capacity Numbers Question

That is correct.

Mfg. magical MAX Tow Rating is based on 150# driver and 20# cargo with bunch of *** and 'fine print' exclusions.

Real world.......is just what you found out.
You will reach/exceed tow vehicles GVWR long before getting to that mfg. magical tow number.

My 2007 Dodge 3500 has same ratings, but loaded up we weigh 7890#
Pin weight is 2900#
Puts me over on GVWR but right at rear tire load and just under RAWR

Mfg. Max Tow rating for my truck is 16,260#
5th wheel weighs 13,875#

From what I understand NEW models mfg. numbers are suppose to be closer/standardized..........at least for 'payload' number on Yellow Sticker
How it relates to real world numbers I'm not sure

That's what I thought. Since the front and rear axel weight ratings combined are 11700 lbs., what typically limits the GVWR to 10100, 1600 lbs. less?

KeithAS wrote:
That's what I thought. Since the front and rear axel weight ratings combined are 11700 lbs., what typically limits the GVWR to 10100, 1600 lbs. less?

Combination of ALL the components......frame, suspension, tires, trim package, cab/bed etc.

Combination of ALL the components......frame, suspension, tires, trim package, cab/bed etc.

I disagree.. There is a weak link on the truck somewhere.. Maybe tires.. Post those specs from sidewall..

But axle ratigs are usually if not always more then the GVWR..

But

If I understand the math correctly, my rear axel could handle a pin weight of 3020 lbs., but that would put me at 11040 lbs., 940 over my GVWR. Correct?

That pin weight will go down actually once you add more passengers, full tank fuel and gear to the truck...

The tires are rated for 3195 lbs. So they can handle about 200 lbs. more than the rear axle. I don't know what limiting factors are. Maybe the brakes cannot handle the combined weight. Or, perhaps it is the drive train. Just going from 3.73 to 4.10 gives 3000 lbs. greater allowed trailer weight.

That pin weight will go down actually once you add more passengers, full tank fuel and gear to the truck...

This, I don't understand. The trailer weight is not affected by what is done to the truck.

KeithAS wrote:
The tires are rated for 3195 lbs. So they can handle about 200 lbs. more than the rear axle. I don't know what limiting factors are. Maybe the brakes cannot handle the combined weight. Or, perhaps it is the drive train. Just going from 3.73 to 4.10 gives 3000 lbs. greater allowed trailer weight.

That pin weight will go down actually once you add more passengers, full tank fuel and gear to the truck...

This, I don't understand. The trailer weight is not affected by what is done to the truck.

What I believe Lawrosa was saying here is that the more passengers and gear you add to the truck the amount of payload available for pin weight will be reduced. Something you already know.

Not an issue since in your first post you stated the truck was weighed with what you typically pack for camping.

Like your truck, my 2WD dually will hit the 10,000 GVWR well before the axle limits of 4400 and 7400.

That pin weight will go down actually once you add more passengers, full tank fuel and gear to the truck...


This, I don't understand. The trailer weight is not affected by what is done to the truck.

What do you mean you dont understand?

if you weighed the truck with just you and 1/4 tank of gas and you got a weight of 3180///

Now add full tank of fuel 3 more passengers and gear.. That may be up to say 700 lbs or more..

so lets say 700 lns added to truck.

3180 scale weight plus 700 = 3880 minus 6200 grar = 2320. Thats your new pin weight without going over your axle rating..

What I believe Lawrosa was saying here is that the more passengers and gear you add to the truck the amount of payload available for pin weight will be reduced. Something you already know.

Makes sense now. I didn't read it that way at first.

Not an issue since in your first post you stated the truck was weighed with what you typically pack for camping.

I used 300 lbs. of lead ingots as a substitute for the passenger, dog and incidentals.

Like your truck, my 2WD dually will hit the 10,000 GVWR well before the axle limits of 4400 and 7400.

Yes. I'll be over that limit if we get the fiver we are looking at. I don't want to buy a dually, especially since my 2010 has less than 10,000 miles.:(

What 5 er are you looking at?????