Calculated tow capability... Disappointed

So, in my search for the TT that the wife and I want, I've been diligently trying to calculate GVWR, GAWR, Traier capacity etc.. etc...I've read quite a bit, and I thought I would be okay with my tow vehicle, for the trailer I was looking at, but now I think Im on the edge.

I have a 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 with the tow package, HD cooling etc.. Max trailer weight is 9600 lbs, total GCWR is 15,000. Trucks GVWR is 6800 lbs. Max Weight for Cargo and people on the tire sticker is 1507. Front axle max is 3650, rear axle max is 3950

Took my truck to the scales today, to see what it actually weighed, with full of fuel and two occupants in it. Because of the configuration of the scales, the weight I got was just with one occupant in it. I was standing outside talking to tech on the speaker. So,

Front Axle: 3360
Rear Axle:" 2320
Total: 5680

Occupant inside weighed 200. So, that number, if taken off the total makes total 5480, which means my max cargo and people can't be more than 1320 (less than the 1507 on the tire sticker)... Okay, fine. Or second scenario, assuming single occupant will be with me, and go with 5680, that only leaves 1120 of weight left for cargo (and me).

To keep things as accurate as possible, I will assume the 200 will be there for one occupant. That leaves 1120. I weigh 240

1120-240 = 880 for remaining cargo capacity, to accommodate WD hitch and tongue weight.

Assuming WD hitch weighs 100 = leaves 780

Assuming 12% of trailer weight= tongue weight, that leaves me approx 6500 max trailer weight, loaded (6500 x 12% = 780 lbs)

The trailer I was very keen on is the Jayco 27RLS, which has a dry weight of 6030, and a max of 8600. Obviously no one tows dry. But, that only allows me about 800 lbs of weight in the trailer before I exceed my max truck cargo capacity.

Did I miss anything in my analysis? I know the fact that the truck can pull a 9600 trailer is only one small aspect. I know that all these different calculations have to be taken into consideration to ensure I do not exceed truck cargo capacity. Kinda disappointing because I didn't want to buy a new truck, but I sure don't want to be on the edge with everything.

Im trying to get as much info as I can in order to make the right decision on the TT. So, if I need to look at things differently, I'd appreciate any thoughts.

Thanks

Mike

Tow Vehicles

brulaz
Explorer
Jun 30, 2015
bbaker2001 wrote:
thanks Marty
i have been going through the storage, and have remove a lot of stuff. had 2 kayaks,and a 14 ft aluminum jon boat on top of camper, gone..dumped all bit 8 gal water from 56 gal. will be legal now.
after looking at all the posts, for a 1/2 ton, with a 6500 lb trailer, it doesnt leave much for toys. cant leave the wife and dog home:)
at 10,000 off MSRP, tough not getting a new truck. but even then i would be looking at at a 1 ton, to raise my weight limit.

Well, it can be done. But you need the right half-ton with a high initial payload (mine was over 2000# but it's a 4x2 and not a crew cab), probably will want to stiffen the suspension and add LT tires, and you still do have to be careful with your weights.

We carry a lot of stuff (Leer cap, kayaks and bikes), and tow an 8000# trailer with a high tongue weight (>15%). I do spend time at the CAT scales, adjusting the WDH and moving stuff around. The truck and trailer now work very well together as a result. But I am often 2% over the rear GAWR and exceed the hitch receiver rating.

Others just say to heck with it and buy a 1 ton. Believe me, I understand, and our next truck, while probably not a "1 ton", will most likely have even more payload than our current 2020#, higher rear GAWR than our current 4050# and a heftier hitch receiver.
bbaker2001
Explorer
Jun 30, 2015
thanks Marty
i have been going through the storage, and have remove a lot of stuff. had 2 kayaks,and a 14 ft aluminum jon boat on top of camper, gone..dumped all bit 8 gal water from 56 gal. will be legal now.
after looking at all the posts, for a 1/2 ton, with a 6500 lb trailer, it doesnt leave much for toys. cant leave the wife and dog home:)
at 10,000 off MSRP, tough not getting a new truck. but even then i would be looking at at a 1 ton, to raise my weight limit.
blt2ski
Moderator
Jun 30, 2015
Tom,

Newer trucks are a lot heavier than older ones......so yes, a crew cab diesel will be in the 7-7500 lbs range. A reg cab depending upon the options, as little as 5000 like mine. I only have 3 chargable options, auto, tow pkg and trim rings, hence the really low wt. The 96 was not a leather option setup, otherwise that one would have been 200-400 lbs more. A crew cab gas would be in the mid 6K lbs range if someone went that way.

Marty
TomG2
Explorer
Jun 30, 2015
There is one thing that I have learned about the forums and that is not to argue with the moderator, but most owners of diesel 2500HD pickups report empty weights of around 7,000 pounds and a payload of about 2500 pounds with a gvwr of 9900 pounds. My gas, regular cab, 2500HD hits the scales at 6400 pounds with just me in it.

The OP posted the pertinent weight ratings in his original post.
blt2ski
Moderator
Jun 30, 2015
Mike,

I may have replied too soon. Thought I saw the gvwr for the truck was 7600, he was at 7200. Looking back over, this is probably the trailer wt. Now the question would be, is that 7200 ONLY on the axels, or axels and hitch! latter total would be better, as that trailer size typically has twin 3500 lbs axels. So 7000 max there.

He may be over gvwr on the truck. But could be under the axel limits. With out now I am realizing we do not have the gvwr, nor front and rear axle limits, hard to say where he stands on the truck part of the equation.

Marty
blt2ski
Moderator
Jun 30, 2015
TomG2 wrote:
blt2ski wrote:
....snip.........
A 25 series truck more than likely would be better, but if that trailer decides to fishtail sway on you, you will be no better off with a SW 25/35 series or a dually for that matter. The trailer will sway, you will end up in a ditch.

Marty

A 7,000 pound 2500 series tow vehicle will maintain control over a 5,000 pound trailer better than a much lighter 1500 series pickup. Been there many times.

WHere did someone state a 25 series would weigh 7000 lbs? My 96 3500SW Crew cab with a diesel only weigh 6600! My current 2000 C2500 reg cab weighs all of 4700 lbs! Granted the 96 with family on board, hitch wt etc was usually 9000-9500 lbs with a 9200 gvwr.......

I've also had an 8K trailer dang near take out a 12k truck, And a 4000 lbs trailer take out a 9000 lbs truck. If a trailer lets loose, you're screwed! in most cases. UNLESS you have a truck that seriously out weighs the trailer. And even then damage will occur.

Marty
TomG2
Explorer
Jun 30, 2015
blt2ski wrote:
....snip.........
A 25 series truck more than likely would be better, but if that trailer decides to fishtail sway on you, you will be no better off with a SW 25/35 series or a dually for that matter. The trailer will sway, you will end up in a ditch.

Marty

A 7,000 pound 2500 series tow vehicle will maintain control over a 5,000 pound trailer better than a much lighter 1500 series pickup. Been there many times.
Walaby
Explorer II
Jun 30, 2015
blt2ski wrote:
bbaker2001 wrote:
wow, I kmow I am in trouble, just bear with me please. need to find a bigger truck.
24ft trailer GVRW 7600 and I just weighed it at 7200.
wife packs everything.
only have 2009 GMC 1/2 5.3 3.73
loaded the back down also. carry 2 kayak on top.
weight is 7300.
GVWR for truck is 13000 overage by 1500
took short 80 mile trip and it DID handle ok. tried emergency stopping , did OK
did not want to take trip over weight.
drained water, took out gear and kayak. now OK.
I do want my toys, is it safe to use my truck, or is there a 1/2 ton out there with better cargo capability.

Or can someone suggest another truck. am I to far under to really need a diesel.
thanks

Now that I am relooking at this....You are under your gvwr. Assuming you are under axel limits for the truck. so no issues here.

Im still learning (obviously, as the OP), but Im not sure how you determined that he was under the truck GVWR. I didn't see a figure for the GVWR of the truck, so I could easily be wrong, but I was trying to see how you were able to determine that 7300 lbs truck weight was below the truck GVWR. Maybe I missed it....

I agree the 13,000 is probably the GCWR, but if he weights 14500 combined, he is still 1500 above the GCWR, which I would THINK would not be a great idea.

Still learning.....

Mike
blt2ski
Moderator
Jun 29, 2015
When you say trailer swayed. Are you saying uncontrolled side to side? if only for a short time, much like a test for a shock absorber, 1-2 swings that is it, while I do not want to say normal. It can be some what expected, where as a sway control would stop this. Being as you hit the trailer brakes, i would assume uncontrolled and did not want to stop. A 1 ton would have the same issue. So time to make sure the trailer is balanced side to side, for and aft in a 60 front 40 rear stand point, ie at least 10% to 15% in hitch wt. Tongue is not too high etc. ANY or all of these being out of spec, will cause uncontrolled sway, but it you have your current truck, or I have had issues with an improperly loaded equipmet trailer behind my dump truck!

Marty
bbaker2001
Explorer
Jun 29, 2015
thanks so much. it does handle ok even in strong 35 mph wind. had a small 5th before and have found it is different. going down freeway 55mph and truck in front of me dropped his tire. as i swerved around it, trailer swayed and i almost lost it. grabbed the trailer brakes and it helped get in under control. been pulling something for 40 yrs, but this almost moving to motorhome, but not quite. love my trailer.
am looking for best tow truck, chevy or dodge will most likely go with 1 ton, in case i want bigger. now start looking for diesel posts.

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Calculated tow capability... Disappointed

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