Document for calculating your weight capacity

[force]

Moderator note: Tom has worked to post his Excel document onto a Dropbox link for all to use. He's provided this updated content for the original post:
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I've put a spreadsheet together to help you determine your available weight capacities (or you print it out for your next weigh station stop).



You'll have to do your own legwork to get your TV & TT specs in the appropriate cells, but then just plug in your actual weight values as per the Weighing Procedure instructions at the bottom, and the sheet will do the rest of the work for you.


Vehicle Weight Calculator.xlsx


I hope this has value to folks, especially the rookie campers among us like myself.

Comments, suggestions, and/or corrections welcome. Safe towing!

[Len & Cheri]

Great idea Force. Maybe add RV FAW and RV RAW to the document? I think some people would benefit from seeing the front axle weight and rear axle weight of what they're towing. I know when I weigh I get seperate weights on all axles including my TT axles.

[QuietTimes]

Since this subject has been brought up I would like to ask the guru's here a question.

Let's say for simplicity that my TT's GVW is 7500 lb. and the unloaded weight is 6000 lb. That give 1,500 for cargo.

Now let's say that I added 1,000 lb of stuff. That leaves 500 for more cargo.

Now what happens when six people weighing 200 lb. average enter the trailer and go to bed. Do we now consider the trailer 700 lb. over the GVW or is that number only for when it's going down the road?? Inquiring minds want to know. Thanks.

[Triguy]

That's a good question, QuietTimes.

When its been discussed before the logic was that the TT's GVWR applies in-transit and not when parked at a site.

[garbonz]

You need to put jack stands every 18 inches to distribute the weight, then you'll be okay.

LOL

[ependydad]

Tom/Force -

My only issue is that your "Weighing Procedure" directions don't entirely match when your'e using a CAT scale with 3 scales. I'm trying to translate your worksheet to that setup.

I almost think you need another tab with a CAT Scale weighing worksheet.

1) pull up with the front axle of the TV on the first scale, the rear axle of the TV on the second scale and finally the trailer axles on the 3rd scale
- this gives you FGAW (row 20), RGAW (row 21) and GCW (row 23)
- adding row 20 + 21 gives you "GVW - TV - Loaded" (row 17)


2) go to a parking spot and disconnect trailer. weigh truck alone with front axle on one scale and rear axle on another scale
- this gives you "GVW - TV - Loaded" (row 18)

3) for 2 axle trailers and for giggles, go get the trailer, hook up and align the camper so that the trailer axles split a scale and that none of the truck is on the same scale.
- this isn't on the worksheet, but allows you to verify your axle weights are close to the same
- for 3 axle trailers, you would put one axle onto a scale, weigh; move forward so the next axle is on the scale, and weigh again; you'd be able to determine the weight of all 3 axles from these 2 measurements

[force]

A new worksheet for a CAT scale is a great idea. Ironically enough, I looked up CAT scales near me but the nearest one was so far away I figured I'd never actually end up at one lol.

I could also add a tab to cover 5th wheel / King pin weights

[TexasBob]

I'm looking for this spreadsheet or something similar. The link is no longer good. Where can i get it now.

[ependydad]

Try this site (I created it):

http://www.towingplanner.com/

[Airdale]

Here is a link to a good worksheet with some helpful information.

http://www.trucktires.com/bridgeston.../WeighForm.pdf