Where can I find GCWR?

If one can not find gcwr, I've for many years before gcwr became a semi to know number, used the GRAWR x 2 for max trailer on that rig. and times 3 for max total of the truck and trailer. Power then vs today was way the heck less. A BB in 25/35 series truck had all of maybe 200-250HP with mid 300 lbft of torque, Std motor was a 300 I6 with 100-120hp max. Base motors today have more power than the BIG motor of yore!

This rule of thumb IMHO still works today. This is basically the largest trailer behind a vehicle before the tail wags the dog. If you want to go faster, you need more HP! no matter how it gets to the rear wheels.

Marty

RinconVTR wrote:
That's a BIG trailer for your V6 and even V8 Cherokee.

The Gross Combined Weight rating is not something anyone advertises, but can be found in your owners manual. It is definitely a cut off point, you really should never exceed this number when towing.

I'm a bit torn about what advice to provide beyond this.

Yes, Listed in Owners manual, and also has a variable for gear ratio, and engine size.
Same engine can have different GCVWR.

I thought the GCWR a really useful figure. The owners manual mentions it a couple of times but never tells you what it is. I realize that there are other numbers that are just as important for evaluating whether a TV and trailer can match up.

After seeing the Lance 1575, I've taken the 1685 out of consideration. The 1575 is all that I need/want and it's narrower, smaller and not as close to the vehicle's limits.

But I still would like to know the GCWR of the JGC, in case it is more limiting than the tongue weight.

This quote from this thread might help you visualize how the system
looks like in graphical form



Contradicting Tow Vehicle Advise

BenK wrote:
Welcome to both this forum and the world of RV'ing

Many times, salesman are not lying per say, but out of context in most all
cases.

Ditto advice on any of these freebie forums...it is worth the price paid. Also
learn to filter the advice to your needs and opinions. Many forget that newbies
do NOT have the experience and hard knock schooling to filter well...those
'sure you can'...'have been doing it for decades'...etc

I do NOT advise in that regard, but try to provide information
that the Newbie must find, weight and do the simple math for their
own Risk Management Decision (AKA...gambling)

First decide if you believe in the OEM ratings system and numbers...or not

If not, then academic and do whatever, but know you have taken the OEM(s)
off the warranty and liability hook and now own them...

The generic formula is:

GCWR => TV + Trailer + everything loaded

This has the OEM dialed in safety margins for longevity, safety
and to agency mandated MINIMUM performance...biggie for me is
braking the whole setup

Of course best to actually weigh everything, ready to go RV'ing,
axle by axle

Gather the information for both TV and Trailer: GVWR, F/R GAWR,
GCWR. Tongue percentage weight of ACTUAL weight is also needed

You will find that the MTWR (Max Tow Weight Rating) is bogus, unless
you have the stripper TV and 'dry' trailer that has a 10% tongue
weight percentage (it should be 12% to 15% and I prefer heavier)

Here is the graphical representation of how the ratings systems
looks like, or works. A bit of whimsy and mean it...anything 'can'
tow, but how well, how long and how safely is my goal...for a half
ton 'can' tow the Space Shuttle...but for how long...how well and
how safely???


howmuchcanitow howmuchshoulditow

Thanks very much for all the information - didn't think of weighing the vehicle without the trailer, to get an idea of the weight of my junk. And thanks also for the hint about CAT scales - I had no idea how to find a scale to weigh vehicle and trailer. Turns out there's one at a truck stop not far from me, so all I have to do is talk to them about it.

I was a little surprised about the 1050 CCC (not 1020, I was typing from memory earlier). If I understand things, the hitch and tongue weight are part of the vehicle's load, so less than half of 1050 will be for passengers and junk, so around 400 lbs. I think I can make it under that but it will be close (100 lbs for clothes, another 50 for photo gear, 50-100 for general junk, leaving only 50 lbs unaccounted for - I definitely need to pack the JGC and get to a scale!). But I'm feeling more confident that the 1685 will work for me.

Thanks again for helping me to break things down like this. It looks like I'll need to think about everything the same way I did when I once tried backpacking - weight is everything! And there's a number of ways to lighten one's load (or not).

To continue showing my lack of knowledge - I looked at a couple of WD hitches online (the Reese dual cam and one of the Equal-i-zers), checking on weight and cost. They aren't exactly light (like 80 lbs) and I've never seen one in person. Are they all one piece? I'm going to be doing everything alone and I don't think I could manage to lift something that heavy.

That's a BIG trailer for your V6 and even V8 Cherokee.

The Gross Combined Weight rating is not something anyone advertises, but can be found in your owners manual. It is definitely a cut off point, you really should never exceed this number when towing.

I'm a bit torn about what advice to provide beyond this.

GCWR is the sum of the 'curb' (AKA stripper model) plus the MTWR (max
tow weight rating)...and one 150 lb driver, the tow option and misc
stuff...like the WD hitch system, fluids, etc

The curb is easier to find than the GCWR

Then weigh the TV fully loaded and subtract it from the GCWR...or weigh
the trailer fully loaded and subtract it from the GCWR

One will give you what the true max is for the trailer and the other
will give you what the true max is for the TV

There is more to it than just weights...it is a complete system and
weight is only one component of that system rating.

Peg Leg wrote:
Add your GVWR and your tow rating for the Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating.

Nope. Tow rating doesn't include payload other than fuel and the driver. Do that and you will be way over your GCWR.

Add your GVWR and your tow rating for the Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating.

There are no GCWR numbers on a placard or sticker on any vehicle. Nor are there any requirements for the vehicle to have a GCWR sticker.

Too many small things like a different gear ratio/tranny/engine/tires and wheel sizes/different hp in the same engine/etc all have changed a vehicle mfg GCWR on paper.

I would stick close to the GC V6 tow rating and enjoy the trip.