Towing Calculations......making me insane

[BandJCarm]

It's a 2015 K2500 model.

One of first that came out. Bought it in late Feb, 2014.

[rabreen]

I happen to own a 2015 2500HD 6.6L LTZ (Crew Cab) and recently had it weighed at a CAT scale.

I personally weigh about 220Lbs. And the fuel tank was full. Here's all of my CAT Scale weights:

Steer Axle: 4820lbs
Drive Axle: 3060lbs
Gross Weight: 7880lbs.

My sticker weights are:
GVWR: 10000lbs
GCWR: 24500lbs
Front Axle Max: 5200
Rear Axle Max: 6200

To make things even more confusing, the VIN decoders all say that the rear axle is max rated at 6700lbs.

So - the max payload (according to the actual CAT scale numbers) is about 2120lbs.

But the rear axle has much more carrying capacity than that - either 3120lbs per the scales or 3620 per the VIN decoders.

I am a firm believer that the 10,000lb GVWR is a truck *just a licensing thing*. In Illinois, over 10K requires inspections and different plates. Others will scare you away from even approaching the max weight. I have pulled mine at max weight and it pulls like there is nothing back there.

Like I have said in other posts, choosing what to do is a personal - comfort decision type of thing.

Best of luck to you. If you'd like to compare notes (since I own the same exact truck) - PM me. I'd be happy to help because I was extremely confused as this played out early on too.

Bob

By the way: The VIN decoded 'weights' (supposedly weighed at the factory) were this for my truck:

Front Axle: 4511lbs
Rear Axle: 2872lbs
Combined: 7383lbs

[BandJCarm]

Originally Posted by doc73

How about under the Yellow sticker to its right in the picture between the ground and rear door?

OK, no one at this website will ever again pay any attention to anything I say.

YES IT'S THERE.

I had to lie on the ground to see it.

Dang. Why isn't it on the door jam?

OK, two days wasting y'all's time. I have never felt so bad.

I am SO SORRY!

(Now.......this really only serves to confirm what everyone is telling me, that this truck won't pull my First Choice trailer very well)..........but at least I have the numbers.

5200 FGAWR, 6200 RGAWR.

I can't apologize enough.

[doc73]

Originally Posted by BandJCarm

OK, no one at this website will ever again pay any attention to anything I say.

YES IT'S THERE.

I had to lie on the ground to see it.

Dang. Why isn't it on the door jam?

OK, two days wasting y'all's time. I have never felt so bad.

I am SO SORRY!

(Now.......this really only serves to confirm what everyone is telling me, that this truck won't pull my First Choice trailer very well)..........but at least I have the numbers.

5200 FGAWR, 6200 RGAWR.

I can't apologize enough.

No need to apologies.. Like I said I DID THE SAME THING..... I came on here asking where it was and looked all over.. Then I got my 6'3" @ss on the ground and finally found it by chance... I told you it was hidden! LOL

[BandJCarm]

Twenty times I looked. I can see everyone rolling eyes and saying 'This Goober doesn't need to be on MY roads pulling anything!!"

I wouldn't blame anyone for thinking that right now.

But it puts me back to square one.

[TexasBob]

Originally Posted by BandJCarm

Twenty times I looked. I can see everyone rolling eyes and saying 'This Goober doesn't need to be on MY roads pulling anything!!"

I wouldn't blame anyone for thinking that right now.

But it puts me back to square one.

I looked around for days before i found mine.

[CWSWine]

Problem loading to axle weights is those weight are static limits. While towing you can increase axle weights by as much as 30% during just normal driving. Example would be going down a hill or put on the brakes even increases it more and even going down the highway and the wind pushing down on the 5er. That is why the payload is less than axle limits.

[drittal]

Originally Posted by BandJCarm

...this really only serves to confirm what everyone is telling me, that this truck won't pull my First Choice trailer very well...

It's not the pulling part that exceeds your truck's ratings. You have plenty of pulling power.

There is a feller here pulling a 42' 5er with a non HD payload F150. I'd much rather see your truck pulling a 5er that large than his.

[fljl]

"I am a firm believer that the 10,000lb GVWR is a truck *just a licensing thing*"
I agree, something "special" about the 10000 lb figure?
On the farm we use a 3 axle truck, front axle= 11000 lbs, each rear axle= 20000 lbs, total GVW= 51000. Simple math?
The rear axle on a 2500= 6200, minus actual scale weight, about 3000, equals 3200 payload.

[BandJCarm]

I know my Chevy sales guy. I've talked to him this weekend. There is a chance......not huge but a chance........that there's a 3500 dually, loaded, that he'll trade me for......even money on payments, I'd just lose the 2 years I've made payments on this one, but get a new truck.

Then I can stop thinking about tow vehicles.

Find out in a day or two.

[doc73]

Originally Posted by drittal

It's not the pulling part that exceeds your truck's ratings. You have plenty of pulling power.

There is a feller here pulling a 42' 5er with a non HD payload F150. I'd much rather see your truck pulling a 5er that large than his.

Amen to that!

[Kenny kustom]

Sounds good to me!


2016 Sabre 36QBOK
2015 Ram 3500 CUMMINS

[mgas]

Here are some real world numbers to work with regarding the 36 CKTS. I just picked up mine in october of 15 and stopped at a cat scale on the way home. I am pulling it with a 2015 GMC 3500 DRW.

truck weights only - F Axle 4940 R A 3800

w/ wagon F Axle 5220 R A 6720 trailer 10580 - gross 22560 lb

According to my math that gives me a pin weight of 3200 lbs., quite a bit more than book weight. I do have most of the options except the generator. I struggled with the decision of whether or not to buy the dually or SRW, but in the end I am glad I went with DRW. Not sure what the capabilities of your 2500 are, but I would be willing to bet you will be at least right at the limits and quite possibly over capacity.

[CWSWine]

Originally Posted by mgas

Here are some real world numbers to work with regarding the 36 CKTS. I just picked up mine in october of 15 and stopped at a cat scale on the way home. I am pulling it with a 2015 GMC 3500 DRW.

truck weights only - F Axle 4940 R A 3800

w/ wagon F Axle 5220 R A 6720 trailer 10580 - gross 22560 lb

According to my math that gives me a pin weight of 3200 lbs., quite a bit more than book weight. I do have most of the options except the generator. I struggled with the decision of whether or not to buy the dually or SRW, but in the end I am glad I went with DRW. Not sure what the capabilities of your 2500 are, but I would be willing to bet you will be at least right at the limits and quite possibly over capacity.

Is that fully loaded ready to camp or is mostly empty coming back from picking it up/ You are luck having DRW my SRW has 3744 yellow sticker and 3280 payload on the scales.

[CWSWine]

Looks like he added 1060 pounds to the 5er and his pin weight jump to 3200 lbs from a dry pin weight of 2407 lbs or 793 pound increase with 1060 in cargo. Seems that is be a trend on this forum and forest river rvs.

[mgas]

That does not include everything ready to go, it does include batteries, propane, full fuel, but no dishes, food etc. I am guessing I will still be adding 500 to 1000 lbs. and I am glad I bought the DRW.

[AquaMan]

One thing to remember, and I didn't see it mentioned or I missed it, is that the stated payload for a truck, already figures in a driver of 150lb. So don't subtract your full weight from payload. I'm not sure on the fuel. One other thing, if the OP is looking at a 2016 truck, the stated pulling weights are going to be drastically reduced because of the new standards that are being put into place.

[CWSWine]

Originally Posted by AquaMan

One thing to remember, and I didn't see it mentioned or I missed it, is that the stated payload for a truck, already figures in a driver of 150lb. So don't subtract your full weight from payload. I'm not sure on the fuel. One other thing, if the OP is looking at a 2016 truck, the stated pulling weights are going to be drastically reduced because of the new standards that are being put into place.

Payload is figured off of Curb Weight that doesn't include anyone in the truck but all fluids are full.

Max Tow is using Curb Weight plus 150lbs Driver.

Slide In Camp weight is figured from Curb Weight plus 150 lbs person per seat belt.

That is from an employee at the Ford F150 plant that researched that question for me and ask the section that weighs the trucks.

[Mahlstedtd]

Bill, I also get confused by all this. We have the exact same trailer. Pulling in with a 2013 2500HD 6.6 Duramax. Tows very nice even when windy. I'm thinking of weighing it this spring just to see.

[pdqparalegal1]

Read the entire post-- Many opinions, few real world facts. People can and do tow whatever they want with whatever they have. Up grading TV tires, wheels, and springs can up the tow capacity up to the point you overload the frame or the brakes. Brakes seem to be a real world limiting factor. I have towed a 13000# tag trailer with a 36' rear diesel MH with air brakes, 22.5 tires and in rain would have to slow down and be extra careful of braking distance.