Lowbuck1010
Newbie
If tow vehicle GCWR is 23,500 and GVWR IS 11,400, am I to understand that the highest rated trailer GVWR I can pull is 12,100?
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It depends on how much weight you put on the trailer and what your tongue weight is.If tow vehicle GCWR is 23,500 and GVWR IS 11,400, am I to understand that the highest rated trailer GVWR I can pull is 12,100?
Yes to a certain point. What if you have a trailer weighing 14,900 LBS and with a tongue weight to make your truck weigh 8,600 LBS, you're still at the 23,500 LB combined limit.No. Combination actual weight cannot exceed 23,500. Trailer ratings are irrelevant for this purpose.
I’m confused. I thought GCWR was the line in the sand, so to speak. In other words, the total allowable weight of the whole rig (truck, trailer, passengers, fuel, cargo, etc) that was not to exceeded when weighed on a scale. Or am I wrong?It depends on how much weight you put on the trailer and what your tongue weight is.
Yes, you're right but you can shift weight to from each to achieve your GCWR (see my previous post)I thought GCWR was the line in the sand, so to speak. In other words, the total allowable weight of the whole rig (truck, trailer, passengers, fuel, cargo, etc) that was not to exceeded when weighed on a scale. Or am I wrong?
You're correct. As @PlayingWithTBI points out you can reposition things to achieve better balance or to not exceed axle/trailer ratings, but legally the combined weight of truck, trailer, occupants, and cargo cannot be more than GCWR.I’m confused. I thought GCWR was the line in the sand, so to speak. In other words, the total allowable weight of the whole rig (truck, trailer, passengers, fuel, cargo, etc) that was not to exceeded when weighed on a scale. Or am I wrong?
The trailer can be rated to carry a billion lbs, all that matters is what it (and thus the combination) actually weighs.Yes to a certain point. What if you have a trailer weighing 14,900 LBS and with a tongue weight to make your truck weigh 8,600 LBS, you're still at the 23,500 LB combined limit.
Ok, got it. So back to the numbers in my OP; have I correctly figured the max allowable GVWR for a trailer?You're correct. As @PlayingWithTBI points out you can reposition things to achieve better balance or to not exceed axle/trailer ratings, but legally the combined weight of truck, trailer, occupants, and cargo cannot be more than GCWR.
No. Rating (the R) is irrelevant in calculating actual weight. Just like GVWR isn't what your truck actually weighs, it's a theoretical limit to what your truck is legally allowed to weigh, trailer weight ratings are what that trailer is allowed to weigh. These are calculated based on materials, options, tires, suspension, axles, etc.Ok, got it. So back to the numbers in my OP; have I correctly figured the max allowable GVWR for a trailer?