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RoadrunnerII · 06-18-2013, 02:19 PM

Hi
This is a great forum and I have been lurking and learning for some time
I have spent a trailer load of time pulling my numbers together into something that makes sense to me
So here is real world example on a brand new truck and 1 year old trailer
Only me and my sweetie in the truck I believe I have it right

2013 F150 Ecoboost 4x4 Screw with 3.55 rearend
GCWR for the truck = 15500 lbs (7031kg)
Rated to pull 9600lb (4355kg) trailer
FGAWR=3750 lbs
RGAWR= 3850 lbs
GVWR= 7200 lbs
Michelin Tires P 275/65R18 Tires 2601 lbs Max at 44 psi
(Truck Door sticker says same tire size but at 35 psi)
Therefore Rear Tire Max load 5202 lbs so tires have additional capacity
Truck has box liner and tri fold soft tonneau.
I weigh in a little south of 200 lbs and the sweetie about the same

Sounds pretty good so far!

Actual Truck Weight with accessories and full tank of fuel with passenger and driver + 25 lbs gear + Equilizer Hitch= 6553.2 lbs ( I scaled the truck last Friday)
Equalizer Hitch Weight: 100 lbs based on Stinger with Hitch Head
Available tongue weight on truck is 7200-6553.2 = 646.8 lbs Maximum

If trailer is max loaded to its GVWR capacity on truck would in theory be
9600lbs Truck Tow Capacity - 6500lbs Trailer Max GVWR = 3100lbs for passengers fuel and stuff in truck including accessories.
That number I will never get to because the GVWR on my truck is 7200lbs with accessories, Fuel passenger and my Hitch head and my tongue weight I will max out first

Our trailer 2012 Jayco Jayflight 22FB
GVWR 6500 lbs
Max cargo carrying capacity 2130lbs
Actual trailer weight:somewhere close to 5100lbs (weighed last year at 4900lbs added 10 US Gal water and some additional supplies and clothing)

Based on Trailer GVWR Max Tongue Weight 650 - 780lbs
Actual: IF trailer is 5100 and 10-12% tongue weight 510 - 520 lbs

Trailer length 26' 5"
Width 96" (8')
Height with AC unit 127" (10' 7")

Trailer Tires

Goodyear Marathons ST 205/75R15 Load Range C
Outside Diameter 27.1 Inches
1820 lbs @ 50 psi recommended Max inflation
Speed rated to 65 mph
4 wheels on trailer therefore 1820 x 4 = 7280 lbs Max load on tires
(7280 - 6500= 780 /4 =195 lbs of margin per tire weigh rating on tires)

Fresh water capacity including Hot Water tank 90 gallons
Gray water capacity 32.5 gallons
Black Water capacity 32.5 gallons
1 US gallon = 8.35 lbs (3.79kg)
10 US gallons of water = 83.5 lbs

So my range on the tongue is 510-520 lbs for tongue weight
My actual capacity is 647 lbs on the truck

Who Hoo
So I am legal and within my weights

If I want to bring my 3 grand kids with us and they are aged 5, 3 and 3 and weigh combined less than 130 lbs I can BUT.....
I will be right on the ragged edge on my 7200 GVWR for the truck
Boy does this stuff add up!

Steve Noel · 06-18-2013, 02:39 PM

Biggest concern running close to max GVW, for me, is Brakes and tires. On hot days brakes don't do well in panic stops, and tires tend to blow out. Having traveled for over 50 years,and many of those pulling trailers, including OTR Truck driver, I have seen too many tragedies, because people push too far toward the limits. Err, toward the conservative, and slower speeds will most likely get you there nearly as quick and a lot less stressed. Happy travels!

RoadrunnerII · 06-18-2013, 02:47 PM

I am not one to run fast and hard with a trailer
I am the one dogging it in the right lane and will not be running over the trailer tire max of 65 mph. We also prefer the road less travelled ie the 2 lane thru the country
We are travelling with a trailer to see the sights not get there in a blur!
My wife and I are also the type of travellers that stop every 2 hours for a break
Nothing worse than the driver no being alert because they are in the Left seat too long and the passenger with a full bladder!

Steve Noel · 06-18-2013, 03:02 PM

I spent too many years, running long hours, and too heavy. When doing it for myself, it usually was because not enough time allowed and not enough money to lollygag around sightseeing. When for the company, there was no extra time allowed. Made me old and broke my health before my time. Now I'm almost never in a hurry. Life is so much better!