Tow numbers

[snarkee]

I have a 2014 silverado 1500 and I want to make sure I understand the numbers

My trucks gvw is 7200 according to the door tag
The payload is 1723
The tow capacity is 9600

So I gassed up and hit the scale (single scale)

With just me inside, the truck weighed 6000

The truck with the trailer connected without the wdh and
the trailer off the scale was 6840. Therefore my tongue weight is 840lbs

My truck and trailer weight is 12360 total

And my loaded trailer weight was 5480(plus the 840 hitch) totalling 6320 (trailer sticker wet rating is 6800 so I have room to spare)

My question is, with 7200 registered door tag truck gvw, and my truck with trailer tongue weight is 6840lbs, does that only leave me with 360lbs truck gvw to spare?

[snarkee]

I didn't think you were harsh! I actually agree with you but I already spent the money lol

[therink]

snarkee wrote:
Too late

Sorry, I didn't mean to come across as being harsh. I toasted a transmission once in a newer f150 with 3:43 gears and I was pulling about 6500 lbs. It was an expensive mistake.

[snarkee]

Too late

[therink]

goducks10 wrote:
You've added 80lbs for the tire upgrade and you effectively reduced your rear axle ratio from 3.42 to 3.24 by going to the 275/70/18 tires.

31.5 to 33.2 OD.

I wouldn't do it. You are going to overwork your transmission. Not to mention trouble with Hills.

[goducks10]

You've added 80lbs for the tire upgrade and you effectively reduced your rear axle ratio from 3.42 to 3.24 by going to the 275/70/18 tires.

31.5 to 33.2 OD.

[BenK]

Keith, THANKS FOR THE CONFIRMATION !!!

That is about the only way any OEM can do it...besides weighing each vehicle
as it comes off the line...

Also know how much or guess how much your responsibilities were for the corporation

As EVERYTHING is embodied in that/those label(s) !

On my GMT400 Sub and it's 42 gallon fuel tank...that is a whole lot more weight
with a full tank...

[kaydeejay]

BenK wrote:
.................. Many say the 'new' door labels list the 'actual' payload/cargo capacity. I've been trying to find out if I need to readdress my advice on what those labels base their numbers. Am now convinced that (at least GM in this case) continues to use 'curb' vehicle weight to derive the rest of the ratings (payload, cargo capacity, MTWR, etc)

Ben, you are correct, GM uses the DRY curb weight for EACH specific vehicle to calculate the "total occupant and cargo capacity". It is VERY accurate!
There is NO fuel in this calculation so it differs from the "Shipping weight" (which the Transport companies get paid by). This includes 5 gallons of fuel for loading and maneuvering in shipping yards and at the dealer.
So a full tank of fuel will use up part of the payload capacity. 26 gallons would be 156#, which may go part way to explaining the OP's "loss" of 500#.
How do I know this? The computer systems that perform the calculation and print those labels were part of my job before I retired!

[NCMODELA]

Snarkee, these are my numbers with what we tow. It is not something that I would prefer to run across the US with but that is because I am new to this and still trying to get comfortable. Trailer was 5680 dry.

It is a 2004 Yukon XL towing 2011 keystone summerland 26' bunkhouse BHSS. The Yukon xl is 7000 lbs GVWR, 13000 GCWR. 3000 FAWR, 4200 RAWR. I have four kids 10, 8, 4, 2. Two dogs 40lbs and 10lbs, me and wife. We did this on the way back from a camping trip so add maybe 60lbs for food consumed?

TV 6170

w/o WDH
Front 2640
Rear 4220 6860 Combined
Trailer 5680

w/WDH
Front 2940
Rear 3820 6760 Combined
Trailer 5800

Gross 12560

The way I am reading this I am under my GVWR (240) and GCWR(440). My trailer is 6370. TW is 10.8% or 11%. I am under all my limits.

Just a disclaimer, the TW before we added food and clothes was about 13% and this was after we drained about a tank and a half of propane.

[snarkee]

My payload and gvw both came from the GM door tag

Thx for the info!

[BenK]

snarkee wrote:

my comments in bold red below within this quote

I have a 2014 silverado 1500 and I want to make sure I understand the numbers

My trucks gvw is 7200 according to the door tag
The payload is 1723

is this from the other door label?

The tow capacity is 9600

So I gassed up and hit the scale (single scale)

With just me inside, the truck weighed 6000

assume full fluids too, right?

The truck with the trailer connected without the wdh and
the trailer off the scale was 6840. Therefore my tongue weight is 840lbs

My truck and trailer weight is 12360 total

you have a good
tongue weight percentage

And my loaded trailer weight was 5480(plus the 840 hitch) totalling 6320 (trailer sticker wet rating is 6800 so I have room to spare)

My question is, with 7200 registered door tag truck gvw, and my truck with trailer tongue weight is 6840lbs, does that only leave me with 360lbs truck gvw to spare?

You have the mid GVWR for 'half tons'. My Silverado has a 6,200 GVWR
The current HD half tons are in the +8,000 GVWR range

You are not alone and many go this route for their first TV. Some
never bother to weigh it and congratulate you for doing that. Note that
most pickups (TVs) have the same body from half ton up to 1 ton.Just
minor sheetmetal trim changes. BUT everything from the body down to
pavement are different (bigger). Bigger frame, bigger drive train,
bidder brakes, bigger...or...higher class tires, etc

Sales folks rarely know anything about towing. Almost as little on
their vehicle ratings and will tell you anything to make a sale. Both
TV sales and trailer sales folks

THANK YOU

for this post. As your TV is a 2014 and
assume your 'payload' is from the door tire loading sticker.

If it is, then proof have been looking for. Many say the 'new' door
labels list the 'actual' payload/cargo capacity. I've been trying to
find out if I need to readdress my advice on what those labels base
their numbers. Am now convinced that (at least GM in this case) continues
to use 'curb' vehicle weight to derive the rest of the ratings (payload,
cargo capacity, MTWR, etc)

DO NOT

install larger dia tires, nor lift it. Both
will reduce the power delivered to the pavement and also reduce your
ratings

This is how the ratings system works in a graphical image. Plus decide
if you believe in the ratings system or not. If not, then do whatever
If yes, then know that you have done the right things and now must
decide what to do in moving forward

The wheels won't instantly fall of being over, but they will sooner
Plus the key is that over all performance will be degraded. From braking
to manhandling the trailer...especially in an emergency situation

howmuchcanitow howmuchshoulditow

[lawrosa]

You really should weight it properly..

Well read here on how to weigh on a single scale which you said you did..

http://www.etrailer.com/faq-how-to-determine-trailer-tongue-weight.aspx

But why didnt you weigh it with the WD bars??

Also you can weigh the trucks axles one at a time.

Anyway you need to go buy the axle rating that you never stated.. If you set the bars up right you should get some of that 840lbs off and on the trailer.

You can set the bars up to move as much weight you can as long as you resore from axle to stock ride weight, but never more.

Its really very simple.

In addition the the link above weights all you need is front truck axle ( truck only) rear axle ( truck only) And front axle with trailer and WD activated.. Then post your axle rating on the trucks specs..

I myself as I said are the same as you with weight being close to max. I wanted to know exact #'s because if I cause an accident and hurt someone I can at least know I was not over weight.

Just saying is all and only trying to help...

[bguy]

I wonder how much heavier your new tires are? They'd have to be heavier than your other ones weight wise and are on the scale as well, but not being held up by the truck's suspension. Food for thought....

[snarkee]

Well I changed 265 65 18 P tires to 275 70 18 heavy 10 ply goodyear duratracs
Accessories: step bars, Soft tonneau, level kit, larger rear blocks, moulded splash guards
and other little things that slowly add up
Car seat
And my 230lbs self
The weight of my hitch head

[bguy]

So where did you lose the 500lb? Looks to me like you have a lot of potential capacity in your truck. What kind of accessories and other options have you added. You truck is 523lb heavier than when it left the factory and I doubt it's all you. 😄