vcorkett
North Vancouver
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Thanks to some very helpful posts, we have now eliminated several trailers as options as they are too heavy (our max tow capacity is 3,500lb) but I do have a question:
When calculating the weight you can tow, do you have to include the weight you are carrying in your vehicle (like the passengers and any equipment you store in there) - or, is it just the weight of your trailer and the stuff in your trailer that you have to take into account ???
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partimcmpr
Fayetteville, GA
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Sometimes a driver is already allowed for - check your owner's manual. But in general, you have to include passengers, gear, propane, water, and possibly accessories added to trailer and tow vehicle.
Do a search and you will find many good posts that talk about how to calculate the various weights involved. Many suggest having your trailer weighed so that you really know what it weighs.
Fayetteville, Georgia
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jay2003
San Joaquin Valley, California
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The GVWR of the TV can't be exceeded so yes.. include the total amount of gear you'll carry in the TV then add the hitch weight. Take the GVWR of the TV and subtract the weight of all that other stuff added up. That will be your new "adjusted" tow capability.
Tow ratings are based on a vehicle with a full fuel tank an a driver. No options like tool boxes for trucks or step bars and such. Once you load everything up the two rating will go down.
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Road Ruler
Canada
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What is your Tow Vehicle?
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vcorkett
North Vancouver
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Thanks for the posts. Never new this stuff was so complicated !!
My tow vehicle is a mitsubishi endeavour AWD
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hotrod4x5
Fulltiming Southwest USA
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I had a Montero and in the manual they published the GCVWR, you should see if they have a number for your Endeavor. This is the gross combined vehicle weight rating, and it is the max that your whole setup can weigh.
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crappie_fisherman
Fort Wayne, Indiana
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As stated the people, gear, and all stuff in ADDITION to the tongue weight goes towards the GVWR.
The best way to know for sure how much room you have left for tongue weight is to load up your vehicle as you would for camping and go to a scale. Get individual axle weights. You take that weight and subtract it from your GVWR on your door jamb/frame sticker. The remaining weight is what you have left when you hitch up a trailer and drop the tongue load on there.
Your 'max' tow rating (the 3500# you quoted) may or may not include the 150# driver...but your manual should tell you that. Also your 'max' tow rating is likely on a curb weighted or stripped down vehicle. It is reduced pound for pound for each pound you put in the vehicle (likely minus the 150# driver). So unless you know your payload (may be on that same door sticker) or your curb weight...you may not be able to tell for sure what your curb weight is. Some on-line sources list it. You would have to take your scaled weight and subtract the curb weight to get the figure for how much OVER curb you are. Add back in the 150# driver if allowed and that figure is what you would have to reduce your 'max' tow rating by.
Once you are sure you are okay on GVWR and 'max' tow rating...that's when I take a look at GCWR as most will likely bust the GVWR or 'max' tow rating long before GCWR...but I still check that as well as the GAWR's figured with tongue weight dropped on the rear axle...
Does that make sense?...if not let me know.
Good luck!
joe.
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Chuck&Gail
In the Colorado Mountains
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IMO check for YOUR vehicle. Our TV is rated to tow 5000# NO MATTER WHAT is loaded in the TV. We are still constrained by TV GAWR and GVWR of course.
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vcorkett
North Vancouver
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Ok, so i'm confused !! Joe, Im afraid what you said doesnt make sense to me !
I have checked the manual for our car - the GVWR is 2427KG and the GCWR is 3854 kg. Our towing capacity is listed as 1587KG
So, the GVWR is for the car and its occupants and cargo - and the GCWR is for
the car, the cargo, the trailer and the contents of both ?
Is that right ??
Do you have to subtract the actual weight of the car from the GCWR of does the GCWR simply refer to the max carrying capacity for the tow vehicle, trailer and the contents of both ??
Aaahhhh - never knew this would be so complicated ! I must be missing something.
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crappie_fisherman
Fort Wayne, Indiana
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GVWR of your TRUCK means the total it CAN weigh when loaded with people, fluids (gas, oil and the like), gear, AND tongue weight. Basically it is the MOST mitsubishi says you can be loaded TO. It HAS to include the tongue load when hitched up (that's the only part of the trailer for this rating that matters).
GCWR is the MOST your truck AND trailer can weigh TOGETHER.
If you truck weighs without the tongue load (made up) 5000# and your trailer weighs 3500# your GCW would be 5000 + 3500 = 8500#. If your GCWR is LESS than 8500# you are okay (in this example).
Basically if you go to a scale loaded as you would for camping you KNOW what your truck weighs BEFORE dropping the tongue load on there and thus you know how much ROOM you have for the tongue load. That's why I suggest taking that one step BEFORE shopping for a trailer.
The weight you get (say 5000#) when subtracted from your GVWR on the door sticker (say 5700#) tells you that you have 700# LEFT for tongue load (all made up numbers).
Does this help any?...if not I can try again...don't want to keep typing if I'm still confusing you...
BTW...I'm obviously working in #'s!  ...sorry...
joe.
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