Trying to figure what exactly GVWR means

[16again]

Trailering Newbie!! For the life of me I have no idea how to figure out the GVWR. I am getting an open car trailer that weighs 1600 lbs. My Vette weighs about 3400 lbs. That's 5,000 lbs, my truck says 6400 lbs. max GVWR. Is 6400 lbs the max that I can tow? Is it based off actual vehicle and the trailer weight? Or is there some formula i'm missing? Since my trailer and car come in at 5,000 lbs. am I OK????

Thanks

Bob

[bake90]

Your GVWR is how much load your vehicle can saffly carry. If you were loading your vehicle you would add up the curb weight of your vehicle, any passengers, cargo, fuel, etc. With all that you don't want to exceed your GVWR. Towing capacity is something different alltogether. The only weight of the trailer that would need to be added into the GVWR would be the tongue weight. Now your trailer has a GVWR of it's own. Good Luck!!!

[J45p3r]

The reply above is right on.

 

When towing a trailer the only effect that has on the GVWR is the tounge weight (the downward force applied to the truck by the trailer, typically only a few hundred pounds on heavier trailers). On top of the tounge weight include curb weight of truck, people, gear, etc. In your owners manual they will have a chart that list towing capacity.

[16again]

The reply above is right on.

 

When towing a trailer the only effect that has on the GVWR is the tounge weight (the downward force applied to the truck by the trailer, typically only a few hundred pounds on heavier trailers). On top of the tounge weight include curb weight of truck, people, gear, etc. In your owners manual they will have a chart that list towing capacity.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

Thanks guy's, any idea what the tongue weight would be for a 3400 lb car and a 1600 lb trailer? How would I get that number if I want to on my own?

[bake90]

The reply above is right on.

 

When towing a trailer the only effect that has on the GVWR is the tounge weight (the downward force applied to the truck by the trailer, typically only a few hundred pounds on heavier trailers). On top of the tounge weight include curb weight of truck, people, gear, etc. In your owners manual they will have a chart that list towing capacity.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

Thanks guy's, any idea what the tongue weight would be for a 3400 lb car and a 1600 lb trailer? How would I get that number if I want to on my own?

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

 

It all depends on where you put the car on the trailer. The more of the car in front of the trailer wheels the more tongue weight there will be. I guess you could always get a scale out there and actually measure the tongue weight. Are you going to be severely loading the truck down when you are towing the car. I seriously doubt you will produce enough tongue weight to put you over the GVWR on the truck.

[16again]

The reply above is right on.

 

When towing a trailer the only effect that has on the GVWR is the tounge weight (the downward force applied to the truck by the trailer, typically only a few hundred pounds on heavier trailers). On top of the tounge weight include curb weight of truck, people, gear, etc. In your owners manual they will have a chart that list towing capacity.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

Thanks guy's, any idea what the tongue weight would be for a 3400 lb car and a 1600 lb trailer? How would I get that number if I want to on my own?

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

 

It all depends on where you put the car on the trailer. The more of the car in front of the trailer wheels the more tongue weight there will be. I guess you could always get a scale out there and actually measure the tongue weight. Are you going to be severely loading the truck down when you are towing the car. I seriously doubt you will produce enough tongue weight to put you over the GVWR on the truck.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

Just the car and me in an otherwise empty truck.

[J45p3r]

If you're going to be towing a lot or over a long distance it would probably be worth it to get some scales and experiment with the placement of the car on the trailer. You generally want the tongue weight to be 10% of total trailer weight (not always possible, depending on trailer, but tongue weight has a huge effect on how your vehicle will handle).

 

This site has some good tips for weighing: http://www.roadmaster-tow-bars.com/towing_facts_step1.html

[16again]

If you're going to be towing a lot or over a long distance it would probably be worth it to get some scales and experiment with the placement of the car on the trailer. You generally want the tongue weight to be 10% of total trailer weight (not always possible, depending on trailer, but tongue weight has a huge effect on how your vehicle will handle).

 

This site has some good tips for weighing: http://www.roadmaster-tow-bars.com/towing_facts_step1.html

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

Those sites help, thanks very much.

[svensk]

Your truck should handle 5,000lbs towing and a loaded truck just fine. NO PROBLEM!! I just wouldn't exceed 6500, because thats kind of the limit I have set in my head because my max towing is 75-7800. I would like to stay at least a thousand under that.

Just remember to engage Tow/Haul.

[16again]

Your truck should handle 5,000lbs towing and a loaded truck just fine. NO PROBLEM!! I just wouldn't exceed 6500, because thats kind of the limit I have set in my head because my max towing is 75-7800. I would like to stay at least a thousand under that.

Just remember to engage Tow/Haul.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

Thanks

[GMSea97]

When I haul junk cars I just edge ahead until the truck settles about an inch lower then stock height. I figure it puts enough weight on it to keep the trailer from pushing me around and I know I have not overloaded the truck. Thats how a poor guy does it without a scale. The more you haul the better you will get at loading the trailer. You learn to feel it.

[Dans Denali]

Remember that trailer brakes are required in most states above #1500-#2000.

 

Dan

[nccrew]

Also make sure your hitch will support the weight you are asking of it. A Class III hitch is really only rated to a max trailer weight of 5000 lbs.

 

 

 

Remember that trailer brakes are required in most states above #1500-#2000.

 

Dan

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

[16again]

Also make sure your hitch will support the weight you are asking of it.  A Class III hitch is really only rated to a max trailer weight of 5000 lbs.

 

 

 

Remember that trailer brakes are required in most states above #1500-#2000.

 

Dan

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

Thanks for all the great info. I'm using a Class 4 hitch, the trailer will have brakes on both axles.

[dewfpo]

As others have said, try to get about 10% of the weight on the tongue. I see so many people drive the car they are towing all the way to front of the trailer with all the weight of the engine close to the tongue. They just don't get it.

 

DEWFPO