confusion over weight I can tow

wintersun wrote:
The truck's GCWR is the true limitation and is based on the engine, transmission, differential, frame, springs, brakes, wheels, etc. to generate this number. If it is 17,000 lbs. and your truck with passengers and gear weighs in at 9000 lbs. then the trailer maximum weight fully loaded is 8,000 lbs. and I would subtract 1000 lbs. and look for a 7000 lb. trailer.

The GVWR is calculated from the factory supplied frame, axle, wheel bearings, springs, rims, and tires, and it takes into account the weakest link. Usually the weakest link is the load capacity of the tires provided by the manufacturer and these can be changed. It is never the rear axle and wheel bearings as with Ford they are rated to at least 8900 lbs. and with GM and Dodge it is 10,900 lbs. - minus the 3000 lb. weight of the truck at the year and the 7000 plus pound rating is greater than the 6200 total of the rear tires (6200-3000=3200 lb. max payload).

There are easy answers but they are not correct answers and it takes some diging and some math to work backwards from the GCWR for the truck and doing some weighing of gear and passengers. The manufacturers use a standard passenger weight of 150 lbs. and with a crew cab that can be a total weight allowance of 600 lbs. which may be a great deal less than the actual total passenger weight.

Wintersun, are saying it is NOT OK to exceed GCVWR, but if you put better than stock tires (and springs) on your truck you CAN exceed GVWR??
I see GCVW controlled more by power plant and gear ratio than brakes and springs.