New TV, first trip, first time on scales

[prof_fate]

OK...the scales, as they say, don't lie. And my estimations were very very close.

The TT runs, ready to camp, this trip anyway, 6300 lbs. That includes 787 lbs of cargo (bedding, food, bikes, etc). We may be light on 'stuff' (on purpose).

If tongue weight is to be between 10 and 15% I nailed it - 12.5% is 787....actual wt is 780. More than close enough for govt work.

I weighed the whole rig and then just the TV with no passengers.
I did it with the WB chains at 5 links...since moved them to 4 and have maxed out my adjustments. At 5 links the front axle was lighter by 40 lbs hooked up than unhitched. 4 links I'm sure helped, just don't know how much.

There is very little payload available on a silverado...we have a 4 door short bed 4x4 with towing option, 'all star' package, tonneu cover and running boards. With 3/4 tank of gas, 2 kids bikes in the back and the ball on the back, no passengers, the scale she says teh truck is 5620lbs. GVWR is 7000.. so my math says that leaves a whole 1380 for payload...people, cargo, tounge weight.

1380 ain't crap. 4 'normal' adults (aka the 150lb ones they use for measuring things) will add to 600lbs leaving 780 for cargo and tounge weight. Laughable reall, when you figure it's rated to tow 9900 lbs and you know that means 1100lbs of tounge weight, more or less.

Total wt on the road, gcwr, is 11920 - again, no passengers. I figure the kids, me, wife and dog are around 620 lbs so that's 12,540. Since we towed in years past with an expy that had a GCWR of 12,500 - and I'm guessing it weighed about the same as the sliverado - we were right where I guesstimated us to be.

the sliverado has a GCWR of 15,500 so we're well under that.

But we are probably over the GVWR - truck with nobody in it goes 6400lbs...family is 620...we're over. The 'cargo' was 2 kids bikes...50lbs maybe.

Have to see what tires, axles say they're rated at - probably more than enough, but now i"ve got some numbers I want ALL the numbers!

[jeeplj8]

A good exercise. As you learned, the payload of 1/2 ton trucks is not a whole lot with passengers and regular gear aboard.

I am confused though, you said the truck weighed 5620 according to the scale with a couple bikes but no passengers. Later you put truck weight at 6400...?

We you saying that the truck with the trailer hooked up (tongue weight 780) was 6400? Then yes, you are over the truck GVWR by the time your passengers get in.