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Old 09-12-2013, 09:27 PM   #1
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General Rule of thumb

I've been discussing trailer weights vs towing capacity of late. Obviously every combination of truck and trailer is going to be unique. And literally everything will factor...empty vehicle weight, configured towing capacity, trailer weight, cargo, passengers as well as Axel ratings, tire ratings, gear ratios, payload, GVWR... Lest we forget terrain... Phew...did I cover it all?

But if you had to throw out a percentage number of stated towing capacity not to exceed when purchasing a TT, what would it be?

For me I'd say 70% is a good starter. Of course that leave less head room the lower the towing capacity but considering most trucks in the half ton range fall in the 7K to 10K range this seemed to give the best balance. I'm figuring 1000 to 1500 of cargo in the trailer, and another 1000 to 1500 persons, gear, and wood in the truck.

-I'm well aware I'm above the number I assigned as my comfort zone for my current truck...
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Old 09-12-2013, 09:31 PM   #2
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Umm. 100% ?

What do I win?
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Old 09-12-2013, 09:34 PM   #3
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Im going for 70-80% as these things catch alot of air.
Overall weight of course is not as big of an issue as pin weight.
My 2 cents.
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Old 09-12-2013, 09:49 PM   #4
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Umm. 100% ?

What do I win?
A trip to the transmission shop for a swap out
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Old 09-12-2013, 09:56 PM   #5
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Rule of thumb is that the same as shooting from the hip.
1/2 ton truck. I would aim at not towing more then 5000 lb.
I would shoot for a trailer weight of about 3500 lb. And not being surprised when I end up around 6000 lb.
so that would be 60 to 70 percent.
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Old 09-12-2013, 10:44 PM   #6
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I shoot for a GVWR to be at least a full ton under the truck's advertised tow rating. I'm certain that I'm not running near that after adding my various weights of water, propane, etc... But I also hold a flat figure for 1/2 tons, which is 7K pounds. I fathom how many are pulling 9K+ pound trailers with 1/2 tons.
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Old 09-12-2013, 10:46 PM   #7
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Percent Schmercent.
Tow rating doesn't mean sh*t.
Payload is the only number that matters.
Realistically, how many 150 lb drivers will drive an empty truck when towing at or near the rated max capacity??
You aren't.
According to the Ford website a heavy GVWR truck has less payload than a lower GVWR truck.
It takes weight to haul weight and the breakover point is very, very expensive.
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Old 09-12-2013, 10:48 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mister View Post
I've been discussing trailer weights vs towing capacity of late. Obviously every combination of truck and trailer is going to be unique. And literally everything will factor...empty vehicle weight, configured towing capacity, trailer weight, cargo, passengers as well as Axel ratings, tire ratings, gear ratios, payload, GVWR... Lest we forget terrain... Phew...did I cover it all?

But if you had to throw out a percentage number of stated towing capacity not to exceed when purchasing a TT, what would it be?

For me I'd say 70% is a good starter. Of course that leave less head room the lower the towing capacity but considering most trucks in the half ton range fall in the 7K to 10K range this seemed to give the best balance. I'm figuring 1000 to 1500 of cargo in the trailer, and another 1000 to 1500 persons, gear, and wood in the truck.

-I'm well aware I'm above the number I assigned as my comfort zone for my current truck...

You might like this web page. If you know your all numbers and the truck your looking for / have.
Travel Trailer Weight Calculator

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Old 09-13-2013, 04:50 AM   #9
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That's a neat calculator. And I bookmarked it for the future. But you still didn't offer your subjective "rule of thumb".
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Old 09-13-2013, 06:35 AM   #10
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1/2 tone 6K 3/4 ton 8k ball park.
70% - 80% gross
85% -90% tongue
That said....
But I find myself getting more detailed now. That why I use the calculator link.
Travel Trailer Weight Calculator
That why I feel its important to know the real lbs. of the camper and NOT the yellow sticker or what the mfg says my tongue lbs. is. Like I said before theres a huge differance.
Then you can buy a truck to fit your needs.
Or add 400 lbs to the tongue and gross lbs of the camper if you buying a 28 foot plus unit.

So my rule of thumb.... is do my homework first. Dealers like to live by the book lbs. numbers... The devils in the details.


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Old 09-13-2013, 07:43 AM   #11
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Percent Schmercent.
Tow rating doesn't mean sh*t.
Payload is the only number that matters.
^this is where I'm at. I bumped up from a 1/2 ton to a 3/4 ton because of truck payload limits, not trailer weight.
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Old 09-13-2013, 08:04 AM   #12
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I don't pay that much attention the science in it. I like to make sure I have about 1000lbs difference in the towing capacity VS what I'm towing on a regular basis. My truck can tow 6K, so I bought a trailer that weighed around 4500lbs. The math is easy.

Using logic, the lesser you are from your MAX towing capacity, the less trips you will have to the transmission shop for upkeep. I have towed over my limit but only once or twice. The truck can do it, but not on a regular basis. If you bought a trailer that is 6k lbs and your truck is rated at 6k, I think you're not going to get the most out of your truck and you'll be sweating those steep hills in the mountains. Why push it. Give yourself leeway.
Just my 2c
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Old 09-13-2013, 08:04 AM   #13
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Im going for 70-80% as these things catch alot of air.
Overall weight of course is not as big of an issue as pin weight.
My 2 cents.
I just went from a 29' (total length) travel trailer weighing 6000lbs dry to a 34' fifth wheel weighing 9300lbs dry and I am getting better fuel mileage. The travel trailers are like pulling a wall down the road! And I agree, the payload of your truck is what matters!
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Old 09-13-2013, 08:19 AM   #14
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ZACKLEY! Never buy a trailor that is anywhere near max towing capacity of your tow vehicle. 70% of the tow capacity is my limit on trailer weight LOADED. Your problems of overheating will always come knocking at your door at the least grade. All USA roads have grades either coming or going. Just because it "looks" flat doesn't hold water. I live in Tucson AZ where the temps reach 110-115 degrees in the summer. We have more mountains above 10,000 feet than Colorado. I have been towing for over fifty years and lived in Colorado, Washington and now Arizona. Do not ever fiqure weights to the maximum because really ther are no "perfectly flat roads in the USA. This includes freeways. Ask a good trucker and remember to gear down, keep the revs up and do not load to factory specs.

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Old 09-13-2013, 08:30 AM   #15
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I disagree with the whole concept of this thread.

For RV towing, "towing capacity" is meaningless. Don't use any percentage of it! Ignore it! You have to look at all the other limits, like payload and GAWR. Period.
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Old 09-13-2013, 08:53 AM   #16
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I disagree with the whole concept of this thread.

For RV towing, "towing capacity" is meaningless. Don't use any percentage of it! Ignore it! You have to look at all the other limits, like payload and GAWR. Period.
And you might add area you are towing in. Hills,mountains, temperature, added load weight. water tank level when towing, speed you want to travel at etc.etc.

Many many variables involved. The more experiance you have the more your ideas change with it. Be conservative in your trailer size, weight and tow vehicle capabilitys. You will enjoy your trips more--check your tires and keep the bearings greased!

Jack
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Old 09-13-2013, 10:31 AM   #17
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It seem when the subject of towing comes up it is all about how much can I pull.
I have no problems pulling 10,000 lb with a 1/2 ton truck. Now when it come to keeping it on the road and stopping it I don't like much more then 5K with 1/2 ton (rule of thumb). So when you look at towing capacity of a truck, I think the number may include the keeping it on the road and stopping it.
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Old 09-13-2013, 10:40 AM   #18
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Just completed a 3500 mile trip up the east side of the Appalachians to Goshen, IN, over to Moline, IL, Trenton, MO and down thru the Ozark Mtns to Lonoke, AR and back thru the Smokey Mtns with an 05 Silverado 1500 Ext Cab 5.3L with a 3.23 rear end pulling a 2012 Flagstaff 8528RKWS and had no problems whatsoever with either the truck or the trailer. Averaged 10.65 mpg. Stopping is no problem if you have the trailer brakes adjusted properly and the brake controller adjusted accordingly. Did I win any drag races, NO, but have no problem getting the whole rig up to a max of 65 mph. Going up mountains, I passed a lot of semi's and followed a lot also. I don't know what else I could ask of a tow vehicle.
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Old 09-13-2013, 10:49 AM   #19
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Just completed a 3500 mile trip up the east side of the Appalachians to Goshen, IN, over to Moline, IL, Trenton, MO and down thru the Ozark Mtns to Lonoke, AR and back thru the Smokey Mtns with an 05 Silverado 1500 Ext Cab 5.3L with a 3.23 rear end pulling a 2012 Flagstaff 8528RKWS and had no problems whatsoever with either the truck or the trailer. Averaged 10.65 mpg. Stopping is no problem if you have the trailer brakes adjusted properly and the brake controller adjusted accordingly. Did I win any drag races, NO, but have no problem getting the whole rig up to a max of 65 mph. Going up mountains, I passed a lot of semi's and followed a lot also. I don't know what else I could ask of a tow vehicle.
I'm sorry, but I don't see how this answers the question posed by the OP.
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Old 09-13-2013, 11:13 AM   #20
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I'm sorry, but I don't see how this answers the question posed by the OP.
I believe he did have a statement as well as a question.
I think oc was going off others "statements" rather than the op's question.
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