Honda Ridgeline hauling a Forrest River 201 BHXL
Is it possible to haul a Forrest River 201 BHXL with a Ridgeline? I think the camper is around 5000#.
Forum Discussion
The tow rating is the highest possible weight that the pickup can tow. It may seem like a simple number, but there are many factors that contribute to determining how much trailer your truck can safely tow. It’s also important to understand that the truck’s tow rating assumes the truck has all mandatory towing options to reach that number, and doesn’t have any cargo in the bed of the truck.
And, yes, there’s some math involved to make sure your pickup truck isn’t over its gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and that the truck and loaded trailer don’t exceed the gross combined weight rating (GCWR)—see below for definitions.
Here’s an example from Chevrolet that shows the math:
Trailer weight: 10,000 pounds
Pickup truck GVWR: 7,000 pounds
Pickup truck weight before added payload: 5,500 pounds
Payload added to pickup:
Two occupants: 300 pounds
Extra cargo: 100 pounds
Trailer hitch equipment: 75 pounds
Trailer tongue weight: 1,000 pounds (10 percent of trailer weight)
Total payload: 1,475 pounds
Tow vehicle weight (5,500 pounds) + Payload (1,475 pounds) = 6,975 pounds, which is just shy of the truck’s 7,000-pound GVWR.
As this example shows, a pickup truck’s payload adds up quickly when towing, in large part because of the trailer’s tongue weight. This means that if you’re towing near your truck’s limits, you might have to leave some cargo or passengers at home to stay within its safe capacities.
And, yes, there’s some math involved to make sure your pickup truck isn’t over its gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and that the truck and loaded trailer don’t exceed the gross combined weight rating (GCWR)—see below for definitions.
Here’s an example from Chevrolet that shows the math:
Trailer weight: 10,000 pounds
Pickup truck GVWR: 7,000 pounds
Pickup truck weight before added payload: 5,500 pounds
Payload added to pickup:
Two occupants: 300 pounds
Extra cargo: 100 pounds
Trailer hitch equipment: 75 pounds
Trailer tongue weight: 1,000 pounds (10 percent of trailer weight)
Total payload: 1,475 pounds
Tow vehicle weight (5,500 pounds) + Payload (1,475 pounds) = 6,975 pounds, which is just shy of the truck’s 7,000-pound GVWR.
As this example shows, a pickup truck’s payload adds up quickly when towing, in large part because of the trailer’s tongue weight. This means that if you’re towing near your truck’s limits, you might have to leave some cargo or passengers at home to stay within its safe capacities.
