Tow Capacity Comparisons For 2015 Trucks
Here are three links to some truck brand comparisons for half-ton, three-quarter and one ton trucks with some jaw dropping surprises. Half-ton Truck Realistic Towing Capacity Three-quarter Ton...
Forum Discussion
JIMNLIN wrote:op wrote:
Now we’ll look at the trailer weight of 16184.
Fifth Wheel -
Potential PW @20% is 3237
PW (3237) + GVW (6616) = Loaded GVW (9853) (Under GVWR: 10000)
PW (3237) + Rear Axle Weight (2581) = Loaded RAW (5818) (Under RAWR: 6000)
You've dropped some figures in your calculations.
Trucks base rear axle weight is 2581 lbs. Now add 250 lbs for the hitch and 170 lbs (50 percent of occupants on the rear axle) = 3001 lbs. Now add the 3237 lb pin weight = 6238 lbs on the rear axle. The truck is over the 6000 RAWR.
At this point air bags/18" 3500 lb rated tires and wheel will have to be added.
Now lets hope the hitch isn't a 22% which a many are. The 22% = a 3560 lb pin weight.
Like we tell folks its best to get some actual scaled front and rear axle weights and use the GVWR or RAWR method. Both are safe.
That way we won't be telling anyone the 2500 Ram Hemi can tow a 16184 lb 5th wheel.
Yes, I acknowledged that with kzspree320 and I share the same with you:
So now what can be done about it? What do you recommend to fix this flaw?
Keep in mind, getting scaled axle weight from a dealer is probably not going to happen. Some salespeople don't even know where to find such information. It may be very difficult to get the best weight information. Searching for that info at some manufacturer's websites can be very difficult. Then there is this question, will the trailer's pin weight be 20%? If it turns out to be only 17%, then he would be in much better position. (As kzspree320 pointed out, it could be higher.)
So lets talk about how to improve a calculator that only accepts GCWR, GVWR, GVW, the hitch, passenger weight, and cargo weight and not add any other entries.
The mission is K.I.S.S. Keep It Simply Safe and easy to use.
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I've read Kzspree320's response. My thoughts now are going back to my original 25% pin weight method. I started reading so many others using the 20% idea, and I took the risk. Well, I'm now thinking that was a bad move.
What do you all think about using 25%?
