Tow Weights

[wvsteve]

Ok so I am not very smart (get that part out of the way first). I look in my truck manual (2500hd CC SB Duramax Diesel) and I can tow 11000 lbs. I look at lets say a sierra 5th wheel and it says GVWR is 13000+ pounds, but yet I see trucks like mine towing them, are they overweight or are they add on air bags or something or are we back to my first statement??

[aintgotnun]

the 11,000 lbs is for bumper style towing
for a 5'er you need to look at your trucks GCWR (Gross Combination Weight Rating) I'll bet yours is in the 20,000 lbs + range


that's a valid safety question

[Bama Rambler]

There's a few of things going on with that.
1. Some of them are overweight.
2. Some of them have added springs/air bags because they're overweight.
3. Just because the GVWR is 13K doesn't mean it will weigh 13K.

You have to weigh it to know if you're over your TV's rating.
That 13K GVWR 5er might only weigh 10K wet so you could still add another 1000 lbs of gear and still be within your TV's limits.
Another thing to consider is that some makes have separate ratings for tag-alongs and 5er's.

[powerboatr]

hmmm we are rated at 26000 lbs gross combined weight rating
truck is rated at 13k gvwr
our rv routinely goes between 13870 and 15000

we usually bounce out at 24000 + gross

pin is high to, i have had as much as 3500 on the pin
and as low as 2100
even though the book says 1870 for a pin, it aint never happened , even empty.
we weigh if we,
A. have been sitting static for a while, you never know how many old magazines and dead batteries have moved in.
B. are headed out for a long run ( over 500 miles)
C. if i feel froggy and the scales are empty at loves or flying J

[rexerito]

Toyota puts out a pretty good guide on understanding towing.
http://a230.g.akamai.net/7/230/2320/...wing_guide.pdf

Check it out.

Rex