Newbie here need info on tow vehicle

[Flybob]

Tow capability it a marketing number. The number that is usually exceeded first is cargo capacity. From the cargo capacity listed on the sticker on the drivers door jamb, subtract the hitch weight ( 13% of the loaded weight), 100 lbs for WDH, and any cargo and passengers in TV. If the number is still positive you are OK.

[Swaggler]

Originally Posted by Mike223

Am I right?? My truck can haul about 13000 lbs. My truck weighs 6000 lbs loaded with everything going camping. My TT comes in at 5700 lbs loaded ready to camp. Total 11700 lbs. Looks like I am about 1300 lbs under weight?
Mike

Mike223 If 13,000 lb is the GCVWR of your truck and you are not exceeding the trucks cargo carrying capacity (e.g. passengers, fuel, gear, etc + tongue weight of fully loaded trailer), then yes, but GCVWR, GVWR, and Cargo Carrying Capacity all need to be considered when pairing up a tow vehicle and trailer combination. Keep in mind that you may or may not always be loaded to the vehicles capacity when traveling.

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by Flybob

Tow capability it a marketing number. The number that is usually exceeded first is cargo capacity. From the cargo capacity listed on the sticker on the drivers door jamb, subtract the hitch weight ( 13% of the loaded tongue weight), 100 lbs for WDH, and any cargo and passengers in TV. If the number is still positive you are OK.

13% of the GVWR, not tongue weight.

Tongue weight is ~13% of the GVWR.

[MacII]

Originally Posted by TheWolfPaq82

Very simple really......His better half has somewhat of a disability and needs something lower to the ground....Wow now that wasn't too difficult.

Far be it from me to overlook someone with a disability. My sweet wife suffered a catastrophic ATV accident resulting in 21 operations and 27 pieces of metal in her body -- a hip joint, plus 26 pins, plates and screws. That was June 1, 2010 at about 4:45 PM in the Elkhorn Mountains outside Sumpter, Oregon. She spent over 3 months in the hospital in Boise and about 11 months in rehab afterwards. But we really enjoy RV'ing and traveling.

Our 2013 Chevy 2500 HD had to have the passenger side heater box and ducting removed so she could sit in the cab, since her knee did not bend. We tried individual electric steps and, when they failed, we tried full electric running boards and they, too, failed.

In the end, we chose lower profile tires plus fixed, sturdy flat running boards. In addition, for months I used a small folding stool for her to be able to reach the running board. I put the stool out, held her so she didn't fall and once in the cab, I folded the stool and put it at her feet.

With time and constant effort, now her knee bends slightly and her replaced hip and manufactured wrist work better than we could ever hope. She can now get into and out of the truck by herself, after years of effort and struggle. We have traveled when we could and she made every trip. That is a tribute to her and has nothing to do with me.

I just hope someday to have a spirit like hers.

But, she never wanted to be labeled handicapped and never asked for special treatment. She struggled and she is now much improved, thinks to God and her struggle to regain use of her limbs.

In our reality, being "handicapped" is both a physical reality and a state of mind. My wife chose to not be handicapped, although she was undeniably disabled. There was much she couldn't do, but almost nothing she wouldn't try. Now, she wears long trousers to hide her scars and disfigurement but those who do not know her history are only slightly aware of her disability.

[Flybob]

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

13% of the GVWR, not tongue weight.

Tongue weight is ~13% of the GVWR.

That's what happens when you think ahead. Thank You. Correcting my post

[netsyd]

Originally Posted by bikendan

And single axle trailers are more prone to heavier tongue weights and sway, than comparable tandem axle trailers.

Absolutely love our trailer, but if I would have known more about single vs tandem axles and how much more behaved a tandem was, i might have reconsidered.

Live and learn.

[TBDub]

I have a MiniLite 1909SG with roughly the same dry weight. We never add enough to take it over 4500. We don't need a truck. I drove plenty in the Army back in the 60s and would only get one if I needed it for work. I got a 2013 VW Touareg V6 Diesel with 406 Ft#s of torque and rated to pull 7700. It pulls fine even in the hills of eastern KY. The 8 speed tranny works great. When towing on level hwy I get between 18-20 MPG. When not towing I get 30+. It has a 100 liter (26.4 gal) tank and you can go a long way between fuel stops. At 60 MPH she's turning 1500 RPM and 1700 at 65. VW got kicked out of the diesel market here, but you can still get nice used Tregs, Porsche Cayennes or Audis.

[Chuck_S]

Am I right?? My truck can haul about 13000 lbs. My truck weighs 6000 lbs loaded with everything going camping. My TT comes in at 5700 lbs loaded ready to camp. Total 11700 lbs. Looks like I am about 1300 lbs under weight?

Nope.

Highly unlikely your 5000 pound (6000 pounds loaded) minitruck has a maximum towing capacity of 13,000 pounds. That may be the GCVWR but not the maximum towing capacity which is likely to be no more than 7000 pounds.

What truck to you have? The maximum towing capacities are easy to find. As are the GCVWRs.

-- Chuck

[wickedwyrm]

Originally Posted by TBDub

I have a MiniLite 1909SG with roughly the same dry weight. We never add enough to take it over 4500. We don't need a truck. I drove plenty in the Army back in the 60s and would only get one if I needed it for work. I got a 2013 VW Touareg V6 Diesel with 406 Ft#s of torque and rated to pull 7700. It pulls fine even in the hills of eastern KY. The 8 speed tranny works great. When towing on level hwy I get between 18-20 MPG. When not towing I get 30+. It has a 100 liter (26.4 gal) tank and you can go a long way between fuel stops. At 60 MPH she's turning 1500 RPM and 1700 at 65. VW got kicked out of the diesel market here, but you can still get nice used Tregs, Porsche Cayennes or Audis.

I agree. I have a Sp220. Probably around 5500lbs loaded. Tow with a X5 diesel. You get all the torque and it works great. So much that after 165,000miles on the first one (2010) we just upgraded to a new to us 2016. They work great for everything we need, tows great, plenty of power and good fuel economy, That said I wouldn't go with a bigger trailer than the 22' one we have

[Projectman]

It’s all fun and games until you have to brake quickly.