School me on numbers

[jwc99]

Someone help school me on how to figure the real tow numbers of this truck. I have never sat down and figured it all out but I would like to learn. Let's look at a new Max Tow GMC Sierra 4x4 crew cab half ton with the 5.3 engine. The gvwr of the truck is 7600 lb. GAWR frt is 3950. GAWR rr is 4300. Best I can guess is the weight of the truck is about 5500 lb. The truck is rated at towing 10800 lb. The trailer is a Grey Wolf 28BH. Dry weight is 5329 lb and it says cargo should never exceed 2314 lbs. Trailer will not be carrying water and not heavily loaded. How does this all add up. Thinking about getting the truck, I make 2 long pulls a year of about 800 miles round trip each and a couple short pulls. The truck will be more of a daily driver, my wife is the primary driver and I really don't want to go with a 3/4 ton. Just makes it easier on her. Thanks

[CWSWine]

Here is site that will help you understand the numbers and how they relate to each other.

Tow Planner

[jwc99]

I want to thank everyone for the replies. I have a better understanding of how to calculate my trucks towing capacity.I was able to get some good info that helps me make the decision on the truck. I plan to purchase the truck and I am sure it will do me well. When someone ask a question they are looking for useful input from others with experience. The standard answer "buy a 3/4 ton diesel it's the only thing safe to pull a trailer" is not the answer everyone is looking for. I agree the bigger trucks in some situations is the only way to go. But if a person doesn't want a bigger truck and what they are considering will do the job be supportive of them. There were several very good answers to my question and I thank those that offered their expertise. I also am thankful to those that that stress the safety aspect. The last thing I would want to do is put my family or someone else family in danger. I will let everyone know how the truck works out. I plan to take it to the scales to weigh everything to make sure I am in limits before I travel. Thanks again for the help and for not putting me down for buying a 1/2 ton

[JIMNLIN]

Someone help school me on how to figure the real tow numbers of this truck. I have never sat down and figured it all out but I would like to learn. Let's look at a new Max Tow GMC Sierra 4x4 crew cab half ton with the 5.3 engine. The gvwr of the truck is 7600 lb. GAWR frt is 3950. GAWR rr is 4300. Best I can guess is the weight of the truck is about 5500 lb. The truck is rated at towing 10800 lb.

Use this handy weight calculator from GM for some very close weights as the truck left the factory.http://www.gmfleetorderguide.com/
For the weights calculator click on 2015/cars and trucks...... then GMC.....then top right hand corner and select 1500 sierra......now simple click on the weight calculator and follow it on through. It figures the trucks options and std equipment weights.

RV folks use all kinds of numbers when it comes to figuring how much weight your truck can carry. Some use the trucks GVWR method. Some use a GCWR number and percentages method. Some go by a payload number on the trucks yellow tire placard on the door post. Some use brochure numbers online or on a add put out by the truck maker.

I prefer using the trucks certified FAWR and but mostly RAWR as it carrying the load.
Example estimate...your truck has a 4300 RAWR. These trucks rear axle can weigh in the 2300-2500 lb range which leaves 1800-2000 lbs for a payload. This is where the weight calculator come in handy as it gives the trucks front and rear axle payloads along with the GVWR payload.
I notice it says your truck may have a 23xx lb payload. This is a GVWR payload and if its all placed in the bed will overload the trucks 4300 RAWR.

Any how play around with the website clicky. Lots of info.

Looks like a good match for that light weight trailer.

[ib516]

You'd be fine with that combo.

[TomG2]

Having towed with both Ford's 5.4 and GM's 5.3 V-8's, I found them to perform best with trailer weights under 6,000 pounds. My expectations might be higher than some other people's. I do have some Timbrens for your truck and Discount Tire will sell you some LT tires which will help a little.

[NC_Hauler]

...and as stated..OP should use GVW of the TT he wants to purchase, empty weight is silly. No one tows empty or dry... then pick the right truck to do the job to where you wont have to worry about it.Err to the side of safety.

[jwc99]

TT is 7600lbs GVW according to the sticker. According to GM the curb weight of the truck is 5352 lbs with a payload of 1820. GCWR with the 3.73 axle is 16700 lbs according to the web sight. I know the weights will vary and the exact will not be known until everything hits the scale. We don't load heavy, we do not travel with water in the tanks, I fill them at the campground and drain before I leave, we buy our groceries when we get where we are going, and with just me and the wife we don't carry a bunch of extra. I would really believe the trailer is loaded within the sticker. Just trying to get a best guess.

[NC_Hauler]

...and as stated..OP should use GVW of the TT he wants to purchase, empty weight is silly. No one tows empty or dry... then pick the right truck to do the job to where you wont have to worry about it.Err to the side of safety.

[jwc99]

Just me, the wife and the wiener dog. We use the bunk house when the kids bring the grandkids up to stay with us. Just me and the wife when we travel. I pulled the trailer with my old truck pretty well, a 2010 Sierra crew cab. It was only a 7200 lb gvwr and not Max Tow. I've talked to the wife about a 3/4 ton but it's just not something we want right now since our trips are few and far between. Maybe in a few years when the grandkids, a 1 and 5 year old, start traveling with us I'll go with a bigger trailer and tow vehicle. Maybe then I can spend more time camping and less time on other things. Just trying to find a truck to bridge the gap right now but also step up from what I had.

[fla-gypsy]

Need the payload numbers to give a good WAG

[K_Charles]

The OP says he didn't buy the truck yet and everyone wants him to load it up and weigh it, I bet the dealer won't let him do that. He need to find out what the truck weighs and then he will know the payload which may be around 1000 or 1100. He should be good if he doesn't load up the truck.

[Sandia_Man]

You stated what GM says it can tow, but many are over on the more important factor known as payload. As suggested above it is better to use a TT's GVWR even though you don't plan on loading that heavy, using that number will just provide a better towing experience if you do indeed load less.

Most TTs have a tongue weight of 12%-15% of their loaded weight that directly affects available payload which must include everything in the truck and bed minus 150# driver and tank of gas. Being that truck is a crewcab and TT is a bunkhouse it appears additional passengers and supplies are onboard.

All that said it could be doable, you will be close to or possibly a bit over on some numbers, but not grossly overweight like many of the towing combos I see trucking down the road. Towing comfort is subjective and is dependent on who is behind the wheel, I prefer to have extra power and plenty of available braking as we often need to utilize interstates to get where we want to camp.

[donn0128]

Load the truck up like your going camping and drive to the scales. Once you have an accurate truck weight subtract that from the trucks GVWR. Now you have a real world capacity. As for the trailer? You will never tow an empty trailer, so to be on the safe side, use the trailers GVWR. Typically a TT will have around 12% of their weight as tongue weight. As long as tongue weight and scaled truck weight does not exceed your GVWR, you should be OK.