Towing capacity, payload, etc... not the same old thread:)

As I understand it, I can tow 12,000 plus my truck of 6,000, according to my owners manual, that nets me a GCVW of 18,000lbs. I have a GVWR of 10,000lbs, the S&S loaded and ready to camp and truck come in at 10,350lbs full of fuel, water, gear, food, and breathing entities. So that leaves me the ability to tow a 7,650lb trailer behind me. I have 1,000lbs left on my rear axle, and 800lbs left on my front at 10,350lbs. Since I flat tow the Scout 90% of the time, I have no tongue weight and it runs about 3,300-4,000lbs depending on what I load in it.

The "payload" is also a function of the equipment put on at the factory and the primary limitation is the load capacity of the tires followed by the load capacity of the rear springs, both of which can be easily upgraded.

My GM truck has a 6700 lb axle that is a factory upgrade option. In reality the axle and wheel bearings are rated by the manufacturer, AAM, at 10,900 lbs. so who do your believe? The difference is due in part to suspension components like the springs and the frame mounts and the frame itself.

I have had 4WD trucks that the manufacturer produced using the same components and frame as they used for their 2WD trucks and experienced failures at the frame and at the shackle mounts. These areas could not take the added stress of offroad use. Owners also damage their trucks simply by putting on oversize tires that are much wider than stock and put more leverage on the spindles. Lots of ways to improve the load capacity of a truck and lots of ways to reduce it if one is not careful.

wnjj wrote:
Confused even more now? :)

Nope, That's what i'd expected it to be, just thought make sure, and find out what the collective wisdom here said:)

later
C

Check out http://www.visualsc.com/hitch_calc.htm

If you scroll down to the definitions, you will see a pictoral explaination of weights and terms that you might find useful.

Tarkin75 wrote:
IE if you have a truck with a 2k payload, and say 7k towing capacity, should you be deducting 2k from the 7k when thinking about towing a boat, and meaning you can only tow a 5k vehicle?

This part is the right answer because of the definition of GCWR, which is the total of truck (including payload) + trailer.

This also assumes the spec'd towing capacity is computed from (GCWR - truck curb weight) which as sch911 suggests may not be the case.

Confused even more now? :)

"Payload" and "Towing Capacity" ratings are for marketing and comparison shopping purposes only. They do not represent reality.

What your truck can weigh is equal to the GVWR minus the actual weight of the truck (loaded including hitch/pin weight).

What you can tow is equal to the GCWR minus the actual weight of the truck (loaded).

I think you'll find these numbers don't match the "ratings"!

GVWR - Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
GCWR - Gross Combined Weight Rating

I get that it's not hard and you have to deduct tongue weight, but wasn't sure if they numbers "munched" together at all. Sounds like you think they don't, but it sure seems like If you throw 2k in the bed of your truck, your towing capacity should be reduced too.

Thanks
C

You need to deduct only the tongue weight of the trailer off your payload.

It's not complicated.

You have to deduct the tongue weight from the payload.

e.g.
If:
Max payload = 2000
and:
Tongue weight = 700
then:
Available payload= 1300

Keep in mind: payload = weight of passengers, fuel and cargo.