tt weight

fastalkintn · 10-23-2006, 06:56 PM

So I have been looking at tt and have been looking at the gvwr to see if i could pull it ok. While at a sales lot today the salesman said i should look at the uvwr not the gvwr, is that true.

I have a 2004 4x4 without bt. It is rated at 6499 gvwr and 6500 tow capacity. So what number on the tt should I compare that to? I thought I understood this but after talking to the salesman today I am confused. I would be thankfull for any and all help.

**Carbeaux** · 10-23-2006, 08:23 PM

Your GVWR of the truck, minus the weight of the truck gives you the cargo carrying capacity of the truck. Subtract from that number the weight of passengers, 28 gallons of fuel, your hitch itself, and any real cargo you're hauling and that's what's left for you to be able to put on your hitch as tongue weight from the TT. Make sense?

As for the TT itself, loaded it should not exceed the towing capacity of your truck. So the UVWR plus water in the tanks plus your provisions inside it gives you what you're wanting to tow, with that weight not to exceed the GVWR of the trailer?

I hope that made sense.

And welcome to TitanTalk!

handye9 · 10-24-2006, 06:58 AM

Trailer sales people want to sell you the biggest / most expensive unit they can. Been there.

Had an 03 Tundra with 7100 lbs towing capacity. Trailer salesman talked me into a unit that had 5600 UVW and 7500 GVW. The truck really struggled with that weight. I was over weight if my holding tanks were full.

Most RV web sites recommend GVW of the trailer not exceeding 80% of trucks capacity. I was at 80% before I put anything in the trailer. It was not a pleasant towing experience.

Current set up is 06 Titan SE, KC, 4X4, BT (9400 lbs capacity) and trailer with 6200 UVW and 8000 GVW. Fully loaded I'm a little high with 85% of trucks capacity, but the truck doesn't work near as hard as the maxed out Tundra. I also get better milage with this set up.

red_rider_elsinore · 10-24-2006, 09:38 AM

Are you looking at a regular travel trailer or toy box? They're right in that you should base yourself on the trailer's GVWR. The two things weight-wise you should look at are hitch weight and GVWR. Look for hitch weights around 700lbs I, and other ppl in this site, tow a trailer with GVWR of 10,400lbs and hitch weight around 900lbs. The truck handles the load well

. You should get the dealer to throw in a equalizer hitch and tekonsha prodigy brake controller.

fastalkintn · 10-25-2006, 06:09 AM

Thanks for all the help. I am looking at a Terry Resort 240 RKS. The specs on the web site show it with a 5455 dry weight and 7500 gvrw and hitch weight of 750 so if I understand everything this would be ok to tow with my truck (no big tow). Also what do you think about a 5th wheel on my truck?

handye9 · 10-25-2006, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fastalkintn

Thanks for all the help. I am looking at a Terry Resort 240 RKS. The specs on the web site show it with a 5455 dry weight and 7500 gvrw and hitch weight of 750 so if I understand everything this would be ok to tow with my truck (no big tow). Also what do you think about a 5th wheel on my truck?

Thats a lot of trailer for your truck. GVWR on the trailer is 1000 lbs over your towing capacity. Advertised dry weights of travel trailers are not very accurate. They are normally the weight of the trailer before they add options like air conditioning and awnings. Actuall weight of that trailer is more likely in the area of 6000 lbs. Dishes, pots / pans, bedding, tools, groceries, and camping / fishing gear can easily add another 500 lbs. Weight distributing hitch and anti sway bar will add 150 lbs. These numbers would put you over the 6500 max towing capacity, before you put anything in your holding tanks. Thirty gallons of fresh water in your holding tank is approximately 200 lbs and weight per gallon of stuff in grey and black tanks is higher than water.

Without big tow package, you have different rear end gears. Your rear end and tranny could get very hot (possible premature failure) pulling that weight.

As I said in my previous post, my Tundra was maxed out on trailer weight, and I was not comfortable with that towing situation. The truck pulled it, but, I'm sure it didn't do the truck any good. If you use the 80% rule as a guide, you should be looking at trailers with GVWR closer to 5200 lbs. There are several lite weight trailers out there with dry weights around 3800 and GVWR under 6000.

red_rider_elsinore · 10-25-2006, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fastalkintn

Thanks for all the help. I am looking at a Terry Resort 240 RKS. The specs on the web site show it with a 5455 dry weight and 7500 gvrw and hitch weight of 750 so if I understand everything this would be ok to tow with my truck (no big tow). Also what do you think about a 5th wheel on my truck?

I missed the part of the non-tow package. The trailer looks very heavy for your truck. You're going to want a tranny temp gauge. It will save your tranny. Also change your differential cover to an aftermarket aluminum with fins & more capacity and put in synthetic 75w90. As for the fifth wheel, they have a higher hitch weight plus the cost the slider hitch is around $ 3.5k. I've seen TT with GVWR of 6000lbs. If you do decide to go way over your towing capacity, get helper springs and good shocks.

fastalkintn · 10-26-2006, 07:51 PM

Thanks to everyone for the great info I THINK I understand it all and it will be helpfull when I buy my new tt.