Community Forums

gary85 · 01-21-2008, 02:01 PM

I am following this subject with great interest as we hav decided to downsize from our m/h to a fiver and are now 'getting an education". Is there a source for truck weights? For example, a 1 ton drw club/crew cab 4x4 has a GVWR of 11,500#. From this weight I subtract the weights of riders, fluids, hitch and options to arrive at the max allowable pin weight. Am I correct? If so, where can I find the actual weight of the truck w/o buying it?

gary85 · 01-21-2008, 02:01 PM

I am following this subject with great interest as we hav decided to downsize from our m/h to a fiver and are now 'getting an education". Is there a source for truck weights? For example, a 1 ton drw club/crew cab 4x4 has a GVWR of 11,500#. From this weight I subtract the weights of riders, fluids, hitch and options to arrive at the max allowable pin weight. Am I correct? If so, where can I find the actual weight of the truck w/o buying it?

FiverBob · 01-21-2008, 04:39 PM

Your calculations are approximately correct. Regretfully, there is no place to find actuals without asking for some input on a place like this. I will give you mine:
2003 Dodge Laramie 4 door, diesel, 6 speed dually 2wd. With two people, some tools, hitch, full main tank and full aux tank (50 gallons) I weigh 8240 ready to hook up.

Hopefully some more people who have weighed theirs will chime in. The stated weights on published information is normally stripped base truck with one person, no extras and 10 or so gallons of fuel.

Bob

450Donn · 01-21-2008, 06:49 PM

It is probably easier to look at the intended trucks gross combined weight rating. For instance, most 1 ton duallies will have a GCWR or around 23000 pounds. It you extrapolate a truck weight of 8000 pounds you can calculate what the truck might be capable of pulling. Or look at it this way, a "1/2 ton" pickup is suitable for a TT of up to about 7000 pounds GVWR.
A "3/4 ton truck will handle a TT up to about 10000 pounds or a fiver of up to about 8500 pounds. A "1 ton" SRW would be OK for most any TT and a fiver up to about 12000 GVWR. Anything heavier you need a dually or a MDT. You need to remember that a fiver places about 20% of its GVWR on the truck in the form of pin weight. That is why I suggest lower weights for a fiver in the "3/4 ton" trucks.
Once you settle on a combination or even a fiver, give us the specs and see what others suggest.

One last thought, GM as I understand it has a weight calculator on their web site somewhere that is suppose to be fairly accurate, but does not take into account things like hitch weight, extra people, things like that.

Wrenchtraveller · 01-21-2008, 06:55 PM

It is too cold outside for me to go and read my tire sticker that is pretty close to the actual payload of my truck. My truck on a government scale weighs 7300 pounds. That is with a full tank, hitch, and old Wrench that weighs 185 in my birthday suit. My model is an 05 CC LB SRW 4X4 Lariat V10. My 11200 GVWR leaves me another 3900 pounds of payload and the tire sticker on the door jamb is very close to that figure. 3900 sounds impressive but add the 2600 LB pin weight, 50 gal aux tank/toolbox,fuel, tools, wife, doberman pincer, standard shnauzer, and I am only 120 pounds under my GVWR. In British Columbia the govt scales are open to the public evenings and weekends so it is easy to weigh your stuff.

Vette Racer · 01-21-2008, 07:27 PM

Hi guys, just a note to let you know that we do have a weight related thread in the toyhauler forum that gives a really close idea as to weight for trucks and 5th wheel trailers, maybe not related to normal 5th wheels but enough to give you an idea of what you are looking at.

Just a thought.

RustyJC · 01-22-2008, 04:13 AM

The truck in my signature, with driver, passenger, 2 Shelties, full fuel tank, WeatherGuard toolbox & contents and 5th wheel hitch scales in at 7,680 lbs.

Rusty

weighit · 01-22-2008, 06:12 PM

Gary85, if you post the make of truck and engine/bed/number of rear wheels/ and year, I will look through my weigh sheets and see if I can find a match for you. Even though I might find a similar vehicle for you, people, stuff and added options will make a difference in the real weights. But if your wanting to get a 'close call' I might be able to help.