Towing Calcualtor - Not having to look up truck ratings

[valhalla360]

Lots of towing calculators on the internet but every one I've seen makes you go look up the numbers for your truck and enter the actual ratings yourself.

Once I've looked up the ratings, it's just as easy to calculate it myself, so they aren't of much use.

Has anyone come across a calculator where you can enter your truck:
- Year
- Model
- Cab Type
- Rear Axle
- Engine
- Etc...

And it automatically looks up the ratings and spits out the maximum capabilities. Might be limited to your common tow vehicles (say, pickups, full size vans and large SUVs) and would have to be updated with each years new models.

This way if you are shopping, you can quickly enter the truck and it will give you the end products of what you can tow (obviously with the usual disclaimers).

[Fordlover]

ken56 wrote:
Funny thing, I worked at the plant where they make the GM HD's....2500, 3500, and never saw where they were weighed to get that door sticker. Hummmm......I saw everything else about the manufacture of these vehicles from frame, axles, box, cab and engines but never saw where there was a scale to weigh each and every one of them. I never thought about it.

Because they don't. Any sophisticated manufacturing process can calculate the weight of the finished vehicle based on the options installed. Chevy knows what the finished truck will weigh before they turn the first bolt.

[IDoMyOwnStunts]

Gdetrailer wrote:

IDoMyOwnStunts wrote:

Gdetrailer wrote:


gasoline weighs about 8.2 lbs per gallon so I divide 288 by 8.2 and I get 35.12.. Which HAPPENS to be the size of my gas tank of 35 gallons!

Minor correction. Gas weighs about 6.3 lbs per gallon. If you're running a diesel rig, that weighs about 7.1 lbs per gallon.

Your pickiness kind of reminds me why I typically don't bother reading this forum..

Close enough for my example.

However one should note that the actual weight of gasoline VARIES, A LOT depending on the exact blend of additives and formulations..

I have seen numbers from 6.03 to 8.2 lbs and depending on which "version" of gallons you can get different answers.

even using YOUR example we ARE only talking a huge difference of 67.5 lbs..

With a vehicle weighing in at 6011 lbs I would say that amounts to nothing in the whole scheme of things.

If you are down to counting ounces then you ARE overloaded..

My point is that the MANUFACTURER BY LAW CERTIFIES ALL THE NUMBERS ON THE DOOR STICKERS AS GOOD AND TRUE AT THE TIME THE VEHICLE LEFT THE FACTORY FLOOR.

If you use the cargo weight on the yellow sticker as the max payload you cannot go wrong. Typically you WILL run out of PAYLOAD before you reach the gross combination weight.

But in my case 15% of 3451 is 23,006 lbs worth of TT (exceeds my Gross Combination and will exceed my drivers license class) or in the case of a 5th or goose neck 25% pin is 13,804 lbs (under my gross combination).

I don't need the curb weight to determine what I can tow the payload tells me what I can tow.

:R

All I said was that you are using the wrong number for gasoline. I don't know what the rest of that was about. Jees. It wasn't a personal attack nor was it a commentary about your other points.

Edit: I'm just going to add that I do a lot of math and chemistry in my job plus it was pounded into me from my Navy days to always use the correct units (former Nuke), so that's why I picked up on it. That was all.

[Gdetrailer]

IDoMyOwnStunts wrote:

Gdetrailer wrote:


gasoline weighs about 8.2 lbs per gallon so I divide 288 by 8.2 and I get 35.12.. Which HAPPENS to be the size of my gas tank of 35 gallons!

Minor correction. Gas weighs about 6.3 lbs per gallon. If you're running a diesel rig, that weighs about 7.1 lbs per gallon.

Your pickiness kind of reminds me why I typically don't bother reading this forum..

Close enough for my example.

However one should note that the actual weight of gasoline VARIES, A LOT depending on the exact blend of additives and formulations..

I have seen numbers from 6.03 to 8.2 lbs and depending on which "version" of gallons you can get different answers.

even using YOUR example we ARE only talking a huge difference of 67.5 lbs..

With a vehicle weighing in at 6011 lbs I would say that amounts to nothing in the whole scheme of things.

If you are down to counting ounces then you ARE overloaded..

My point is that the MANUFACTURER BY LAW CERTIFIES ALL THE NUMBERS ON THE DOOR STICKERS AS GOOD AND TRUE AT THE TIME THE VEHICLE LEFT THE FACTORY FLOOR.

If you use the cargo weight on the yellow sticker as the max payload you cannot go wrong. Typically you WILL run out of PAYLOAD before you reach the gross combination weight.

But in my case 15% of 3451 is 23,006 lbs worth of TT (exceeds my Gross Combination and will exceed my drivers license class) or in the case of a 5th or goose neck 25% pin is 13,804 lbs (under my gross combination).

I don't need the curb weight to determine what I can tow the payload tells me what I can tow.

[rhagfo]

ken56 wrote:
Funny thing, I worked at the plant where they make the GM HD's....2500, 3500, and never saw where they were weighed to get that door sticker. Hummmm......I saw everything else about the manufacture of these vehicles from frame, axles, box, cab and engines but never saw where there was a scale to weigh each and every one of them. I never thought about it.

Maybe they just added the weight of the option packages to the base truck weight.

[ken56]

Funny thing, I worked at the plant where they make the GM HD's....2500, 3500, and never saw where they were weighed to get that door sticker. Hummmm......I saw everything else about the manufacture of these vehicles from frame, axles, box, cab and engines but never saw where there was a scale to weigh each and every one of them. I never thought about it.

[IDoMyOwnStunts]

Gdetrailer wrote:


gasoline weighs about 8.2 lbs per gallon so I divide 288 by 8.2 and I get 35.12.. Which HAPPENS to be the size of my gas tank of 35 gallons!

Minor correction. Gas weighs about 6.3 lbs per gallon. If you're running a diesel rig, that weighs about 7.1 lbs per gallon.

[Gdetrailer]

valhalla360 wrote:

rhagfo wrote:


You do realize the "Yellow Sticker" is specific to that vehicle. The yellow sticker is the difference between that vehicles "Curb Weight" and it's listed GVWR.
Once you start adding after factory accessories that payload starts going only one direction DOWN!

Yes, it is specific to the vehicle but just lists the overall max ratings. You have to go find the curb weight online or somewhere else.

Obviously, if you start adding things aftermarket, you have to account for them but that's true no matter what.

You are wrong.

While the "curb weight" is not DIRECTLY stated, it is INDIRECTLY STATED.

However knowing the curb weight is REALLY NOT NEEDED but CAN BE CALCULATED from BOTH the yellow cargo sticker AND the regular DOOR STICKER which has the VIN, plus weights and option codes.

I will show you how it is done and how the yellow stick works.

here is my yellow sticker..



It states my vehicle has 3451 lbs of cargo payload.

Here is my regular door sticker..



Which states my GVWR is 9900 lbs.

subtract 3451 lbs from 9900 lbs and I get 6449 lbs.

Now in PA our registration card actually contains the vehicles real curb weight..

That card states..



That my trucks unladen weight is 6011 lbs.

Right about now you will be saying that there is a discrepancy in the numbers.. and you would be correct..

However the yellow sticker already has ACCOUNTED FOR AND SUBTRACTED the driver weight of 150 lbs AND A FULL TANK OF FUEL..

To prove this I can subtract 6011 lbs from 6449 lbs and get 438 lbs as the difference.

Now subtract 150 lbs for driver and I get 288 lbs..

gasoline weighs about 8.2 lbs per gallon so I divide 288 by 8.2 and I get 35.12.. Which HAPPENS to be the size of my gas tank of 35 gallons!

So..

Please tell me why you NEED to know the curb weight when the YELLOW CARGO sticker TELLS you exactly how much cargo weight you can haul..

There is no need for spread sheets or lists of vehicle information when using the yellow cargo sticker. Those numbers ARE certified by the manufacturer on the date of the manufacture of said vehicle as it left the factory.

If the dealer or YOU have added anything then you simply subtract the weight of the additional items from the yellow sticker cargo weight.

[rhagfo]

valhalla360 wrote:


Yes, it is specific to the vehicle but just lists the overall max ratings. You have to go find the curb weight online or somewhere else.

Obviously, if you start adding things aftermarket, you have to account for them but that's true no matter what.

What "Curb Weight" are you looking for??
If the curb weight of a Stripper Model, then you need to hunt down the numbers from the manufacture.

As stated before the as delivered Curb Weight, it is the difference of the vehicles GVWR (usually on the VIN sticker) and the Payload listed on the yellow sticker.

[valhalla360]

rhagfo wrote:


You do realize the "Yellow Sticker" is specific to that vehicle. The yellow sticker is the difference between that vehicles "Curb Weight" and it's listed GVWR.
Once you start adding after factory accessories that payload starts going only one direction DOWN!

Yes, it is specific to the vehicle but just lists the overall max ratings. You have to go find the curb weight online or somewhere else.

Obviously, if you start adding things aftermarket, you have to account for them but that's true no matter what.

[rhagfo]

valhalla360 wrote:

rhagfo wrote:

azdryheat wrote:
Trailer Life Towing guide has what you're looking for.

Yes, but they also only list maximum.

On EDIT: Really most point to the beloved "Yellow Sticker" my feeling it is nice for on the lot comparison, BUT in reality, load the TV up as you would ready for a trip and get it weighed, Front axle and rear axle.
I am not the weight police, I run over GVWR, but within all other ratings.
Yes, I do believe a 1/2 ton can pull a 5er, more safely than a TT. The right TV and Right trailer and it will work well.

Even the beloved yellow sticker doesn't solve it because it doesn't list the curb weights. Big difference between a shortbed regular cab vs a longbed 4 door with the same sticker.

I don't believe the SXT and other trim levels typically have much impact (the HD rating does) but 10 different ratings usually sort themselves out when you enter the cab type, box length and engine.

Trailer life calculator is a good start but drops the ball at the end and totally cops out on the 5th wheels. After that, you have to pull up the PDF and read it checking all the footnotes.

You do realize the "Yellow Sticker" is specific to that vehicle. The yellow sticker is the difference between that vehicles "Curb Weight" and it's listed GVWR.
Once you start adding after factory accessories that payload starts going only one direction DOWN!

[valhalla360]

rhagfo wrote:

azdryheat wrote:
Trailer Life Towing guide has what you're looking for.

Yes, but they also only list maximum.

On EDIT: Really most point to the beloved "Yellow Sticker" my feeling it is nice for on the lot comparison, BUT in reality, load the TV up as you would ready for a trip and get it weighed, Front axle and rear axle.
I am not the weight police, I run over GVWR, but within all other ratings.
Yes, I do believe a 1/2 ton can pull a 5er, more safely than a TT. The right TV and Right trailer and it will work well.

Even the beloved yellow sticker doesn't solve it because it doesn't list the curb weights. Big difference between a shortbed regular cab vs a longbed 4 door with the same sticker.

I don't believe the SXT and other trim levels typically have much impact (the HD rating does) but 10 different ratings usually sort themselves out when you enter the cab type, box length and engine.

Trailer life calculator is a good start but drops the ball at the end and totally cops out on the 5th wheels. After that, you have to pull up the PDF and read it checking all the footnotes.

[rhagfo]

azdryheat wrote:
Trailer Life Towing guide has what you're looking for.

Yes, but they also only list maximum.

On EDIT: Really most point to the beloved "Yellow Sticker" my feeling it is nice for on the lot comparison, BUT in reality, load the TV up as you would ready for a trip and get it weighed, Front axle and rear axle.
I am not the weight police, I run over GVWR, but within all other ratings.
Yes, I do believe a 1/2 ton can pull a 5er, more safely than a TT. The right TV and Right trailer and it will work well.

[azdryheat]

Trailer Life Towing guide has what you're looking for.

[Old-Biscuit]

Dodge had one for 2002 thru 2009 then from 2010 forward it was just data

Dodge Tow Info

That's the closest I've seen