Tow Vehicle Sizing & Weight Calculators

[boydn1]

Originally Posted by Cyclone Dave

Did you use the app in "Expert" mode or "Beginner" mode? Beginner mode explains what you need to know. And if that isn't clear as a bell, then there are lots of answers in the FAQ within the app.

Thanks, it was in beginner mode and I couldn't find the answers to the qustions above but, they've been answered now.

[boydn1]

Originally Posted by Mich F

OK, with that 6,100# GVW you're left with 800# before you reach your 6,900# GVWR. Naturally if that weight wasn't with the truck fully loaded with all the passengers and gear ready to camp you'll have less than an 800# margin. You'll need a weight distribution hitch and that would probably add around close to 100# or so to your GVW. If you subtract the 6,200# GVW from your 15950# GCWR that would leave you to believe you can tow up to 9,350#. You're limiting factor now is tongue weight. If you're left with a max tongue weight of 700# and figure on that being about 12% of the trailer weight, you're looking at a trailer that is a maximum of 5,833#. A 5th wheel pin weight at a low of 20% would be a trailer weight of 3,500#, which probably doesn't exist, unless it's super small. Those max trailer weight numbers could be more with the proper setup of the weight distribution hitch. It will distribute weight to the front axle of your truck and to the trailer axles. I don't remember the percentages , but I believe they can be substantial.

Something else to consider is that fact that your 6,900# GVWR is 900# less than your combined axle ratings. My guess would be that the tires are what's keeping the GVWR down (it could be be suspension components or whatever). If you load up to your axle rating on either axle you've exceeded the rating on some other component.

I don't know if this has clarified anything or made it more confusing, but good lick anyway.

Thanks much! I think I'm getting there. Does the "weight distribution hitch" change the Weight ot tongue weight? I'm googleing now. Thanks again

[Mich F]

Originally Posted by boydn1

Thanks much! I think I'm getting there. Does the "weight distribution hitch" change the Weight ot tongue weight? I'm googleing now. Thanks again

Here's a question and answer on how a weight distribution set up works.
https://www.etrailer.com/question-88658.html

[PhilHoov]

404 Not Found

[debbieh]

Originally Posted by RustyJC

HERE is another resource developed by iRV2.com member Ken Lenger. It's highly recommended reading for selecting a truck or RV!! At the bottom of the page is an Excel spreadsheet where you can plug in the numbers for your candidate tow vehicle and trailer to ensure that your rig stays within all of the manufacturer's ratings.

Rusty

I hope you can guide me.
I just purchased a 2017 Ram 3500, 6.7 litre diesel engine, short box, UVW-11,185, GVWR-13,995, hitch weight-2,180, length-36'10". Everyone talks about hitch pin weight and I'm unfamiliar with the term.
In your opinion will my vehicle have any trouble hauling this trailer?

[Newbeginning]

i read a review (dont remember which one) that said the new 2020 chevys have a max towing capacity lable on the door or center pillar. like 17000 lbs max towing. not sure if thats true have not been to a dealer to look .

[bro61021]

Originally Posted by RustyJC

HERE is another resource developed by iRV2.com member Ken Lenger. It's highly recommended reading for selecting a truck or RV!! At the bottom of the page is an Excel spreadsheet where you can plug in the numbers for your candidate tow vehicle and trailer to ensure that your rig stays within all of the manufacturer's ratings.

Rusty

I just had my Tow Vehicle and trailer weighed. Where can I find Kens Excel spreadsheet or another spreadsheet where I can enter my RV and Tow Vehicles weights to see if I am within specs? I clicked on your link but its not available.

[h20ski]

Try this link.

http://changingears.com/rv-sec-calc-...eight-tt.shtml

[DancingBull]

Hi, looking for some help on my new (to me) setup.

We just purchased a 2019 Dodge Ram 1500 Classic SLT 4x4 with a 5.7 Hemi, 3.21 Rear Axle Ratio, 6.4 foot bed, Crew Cab. Rated to tow 8040 lbs and a payload of 1500 lbs. Passengers/dogs are about 650 lbs of the payload. In the bed I carry a few blocks of wood for leveling, folding table, 2 kids bikes, an empty 36 gallon waste tote, probably another 100 lbs. The GWVR is 6900 lbs.


The hitch setup is, a Draw Tite, Class V receiver (model 41948) which I had installed aftermarket. Rated 15000 lbs WD GTW, and 1500 lbs WD TW. I am using an older Weight Distribution system, looks to be a Curt from maybe 2001. The bars each say 1000, C.S, 02-01 on them and are 32 inches long. The ball is rated for 10,000 lb. The third picture isn't from my hitch but it has the same ratings (which I can barely read)

The camper is a 2018 Sunset Trail SS289QB. The specs are dry 5600 lbs, Payload 2000 lbs, hitch weight is 768 lbs.

RV Tow Check App came back with a score of 15 (green) of 3964 Tongue Weight Percentage Selector

When I towed it home empty from the dealer my truck was loaded as mentioned above, the camper was empty, and when I hooked up my WDS, it sat level.

2 weeks later we went on our first 11 day camping trip, (all holding tanks were empty except a bit if freshwater in the tank. So that includes (in front cargo) 3 camp chairs, EZ up, carpet, fold up wagon, 2 fishing poles, tacklebox, small tool box. Hoses and filters, sewer connections, pretty standard. In the camper it’s pretty standard as well, stocked pantry, food in refrigerator, pots, pans, laptops, sheets, pillows, blankets, clothes for 4 people for a week, guitars, school supplies, etc.

My main question is, after loading the camper and hitching up with weight distribution bars, it sank pretty low, the chains were dragging. I didn’t measure but I would say a 2 to 3 inch drop between the front of tow vehicle and rear. (No pics as its already unhooked)

I know I need to take the whole setup to a weigh station to see how much everything weighs. I know everything adds up..

Next week I plan to adjust the height of the hitch itself in a level parking lot. (visually they look almost level).

Do I need a new Weight Distribution system that needs to support more weight? A new camper or bigger truck are not an option. I have been researching can’t seem to figure this out and want to get this configuration level when towing.

Thanks!

[Cyclone Dave]

I am really curious now.

You state:

Originally Posted by DancingBull

RV Tow Check App came back with a score of 15 (green) of 3964 Tongue Weight Percentage Selector.

Knowing that the RV Tow Check app reported that the maximum weight of a trailer your truck can safely tow is 3,964 pounds when selecting 15% in the “green” zone, what is the reason you ignored it and purchased a trailer exceeding the recommendation by 1,636 pounds dry weight alone? When the trailer is loaded to the max, it will exceed your truck’s weight safety rating by 3,636 pounds based on the tongue weight at 15% per your selection.

[1st-tt2018]

1. That wdh has probably seen its end of life a while ago. Seriously consider getting a new setup. With all the rust and bent metal, stress fractures and failure seems imminent.

2. Apps only do what we tell them. Weighing your rig would be best.

3. Get to a suspension shop, have them go over the suspension....you might have a sagging suspension under load.

[tennis40luv]

Read this whole thread through. We looked up our specs using a vin decoder. It reads like this:
GVWR 10,000 lbs
GRAWR 6200 lbs
Curb weight 6431 lbs per VIN specs (we weighed at station with full tank of gas and ourselves at 8240 lbs., includes a cover for the bed, 36 gallon tank, bipod,and tool box) (not sure where all the extra weight comes from if diesel weighs 6.8 lbs per gallon, and we weigh a total of 331 lbs. Can't believe the receiver hitch, tool box, and cover can weigh that much of a difference, 8240-576 {our weight plus full tank of gas weight}-6431{their curb weight spec from VIN}=1233 lbs)

So as we understand it that leaves us with a payload of 1760 lbs. left on GVWR

The fifth wheels we are looking at have pin weights of 1868 (Norwood 27-5L) and 1995, Outdoor RV. In addition, when we were looking at the specs from some of the sites suggested it did not look like moving to a 3500, esp in our preferred brand, GMC, would make that much of a difference in GVWR. Help?!!

So we cannot buy the 5th wheels without changing our truck?

Or we have to choose a different 5th wheel? I do not think there is a 5th wheel with a lighter pin weight or rather a pin weight that we would need.

Any advice or comments?

This has taken us the better part of two devoted nights looking at this as well as many conversations previous to this where we could not muster the brain cells to think about it.

[RVn4Now]

You should have a sticker on inside of passenger door frame listing maximum payload/cargo capacity.

[h20ski]

That sounds about right. I have a 07 2500 HD 2WD and it weighs in at 7900 lbs. Your accessories and 4WD explains your 400 lbs difference. Sorry but you numbers look correct. The curb weight you are quoting is for a short bed 2wd with a gas motor 2500.

Originally Posted by tennis40luv

Read this whole thread through. We looked up our specs using a vin decoder. It reads like this:
GVWR 10,000 lbs
GRAWR 6200 lbs
Curb weight 6431 lbs per VIN specs (we weighed at station with full tank of gas and ourselves at 8240 lbs., includes a cover for the bed, 36 gallon tank, bipod,and tool box) (not sure where all the extra weight comes from if diesel weighs 6.8 lbs per gallon, and we weigh a total of 331 lbs. Can't believe the receiver hitch, tool box, and cover can weigh that much of a difference, 8240-576 {our weight plus full tank of gas weight}-6431{their curb weight spec from VIN}=1233 lbs)

So as we understand it that leaves us with a payload of 1760 lbs. left on GVWR

t it.