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dcarver · 12-27-2013, 06:44 PM

I hate to admit it but I bought our rainier because it had the v8 and tows 6700lbs. Never really thought about its payload and combined weight rating.
I actually may be overloaded because I haven't gone to the scales yet.
Anyway here's my numbers from google searching weights.

Buick curb weight= 4601
GVRW= 5750
Payload= 1149
Combined carrying capacity=11,500
Keystone Zeppelin weight= 3560
GVWR= 4765
12% HW (from GVWR)= 571
So 1149-571=578
Me, wife, baby, dogs=450 (and growing)
578-450=128

128lbs is all I have left for an "estimated" carrying capacity. This means we have to put all of our crap in trailer and hope if we take my wife's sister that she doesn't put on too much weight after her freshmen year of college lol.

Anyway I just thought I'd share this tidbit of info I started thinking about in case there are others like me who just always thought they had enough truck because of their engine and tow ratings

Selah · 12-27-2013, 10:04 PM

Kudos to you for checking all of that out. Next step would be to weigh the trailer at a CAT scale to see how close you are to GVWR when fully loaded. You might not be carrying your full CCC and have more room than expected.... Hopefully.

Cumminsfan · 12-28-2013, 10:00 AM

Should've got a dually.

SmokeyWren · 12-28-2013, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcarver

I hate to admit it but I bought our rainier because it had the v8 and tows 6700lbs. Never really thought about its payload and combined weight rating.
I actually may be overloaded because I haven't gone to the scales yet.

I would bet a bunch that you'll be overloaded in the middle of your third RV trip. You have enough drivetrain to pull a 6,000 pound trailer, but not enough payload capacity to haul a normal load of family and stuff plus the 800 to 900 pounds hitch weight of a 6,000 pound TT.

Your Rainier was the last of the V8 rear-wheel-drive body-on-frame SUVs produced by Buick. Production began with the 2004 model and ended with the 2007 model year (maybe a tiny few units were produced with a 2008 model year). It's a Buick, so it is a luxury mid-size SUV (same chassis and drivetrain as Chevy Trailblazer, but with softer suspension and more luxurious interior).

jesilvas · 12-28-2013, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cumminsfan

Should've got a dually.

Oh come on, at least put a lol in there.

Good job OP. You're doing your research and trying to be safe.

dcarver · 12-28-2013, 11:42 AM

Haha a dually rainier... interesting...

dcarver · 12-28-2013, 11:44 AM

Smokey,
I can definitely see the load increasing. We get more crap every trip lol.

SeabeckS · 12-28-2013, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cumminsfan

Should've got a dually.

A dually Rainier would be pretty cool, and would probably turn a few heads!

SmokeyWren · 12-28-2013, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeabeckS

A dually Rainier would be pretty cool, and would probably turn a few heads!

I have seen a dually Suburban running around Midland, but a Rainier is a little SUV.

SeabeckS · 12-28-2013, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmokeyWren

I have seen a dually Suburban running around Midland, but a Rainier is a little SUV.

Tongue in cheek, Smokey! LOL.

NFlcamper · 12-29-2013, 07:32 AM

At this point, I agree with Selah. A trip to a scale will tell all. From your posted numbers, your TT carrying capacity is 1205 lbs. You gave the GVWR which is the MAX the trailer can carry. Scales will tell the more accurate story an what the total weight is, vehicle weight (CAT scale has steer axle, drive axle, and trailer axle readings), a second pass with the Rainier will give unladen weight and you can subtract that from the 1st pass with the trailer to get a tongue weight.

You posted you used Googled numbers - actual numbers tell more. Weigh your Rainier with FULL tank and you already know what the DW, baby, and dog weighs. Taking them with you gives you axle weight distribution numbers vs just adding them in the equation.

You haven't mentioned if you have trailer brakes. Anything over 2,000 lbs should have them, and the Buick has the 7 pin connector. Probably a pigtail for adding the controller too. Properly adjusted brakes will help take stress away from towing heavy.

rollondown · 12-29-2013, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cumminsfan

Should've got a dually.

Skip the dually and go straight to a HDT. Its a whole lot cheaper in the long run!

Being at the weight limit for short trips is one thing, being excessively overloaded for long trips- 5-10k - would create issues.

dcarver · 01-01-2014, 09:46 PM

I definitely do need to hit the scales before we take our trip next week just for piece of mind that the Buick is within specs.
If I could afford to have a HDT believe me I would. Being in grad school and only my wife working doesn't allow for a designated "for towing only" vehicle, but hopefully one day.
BTW I do have trailer brakes set up and I wouldn't have it with out them

Oh and my vehicle is a 99 Tahoe with the 5.7. It has a little bit higher tow rating but with the 3.42 rear end I'm a little hesitant to use it as our tow vehicle. I know it makes torque at a lower rpm but I towed with hemi that had 3.55s and it was a dog compare to my 94 5.9 (gas) with 3.92s

If anyone thinks the Tahoe is the way to go I'm all ears though. Way more cabin space to stretch out lol

mhs4771 · 01-07-2014, 02:20 PM

Yes you need to hit the scales as that 1149 payload may be much less, as it's based off that curb weight which may actually be quite a bit heavier. I don't recall ever getting something weighed that was not more than the curb weight.
So at bear min, get that TV weighted and do your number from there.