RV Towing Facts! It's not all about towing capacity, get Enough Payload capacity!
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- Опубликовано: 9 фев 2025
- #rv #towing #trucks
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I’ve been that guy that had an overloaded 1/2ton truck pulling too heavy of a travel trailer. The trailer towing weight was within spec for the truck but I was way over payload. I never had any problems but it really wasn’t safe. I bought a 3/4 ton truck and holy cow does it “feel safer” pulling my trailer. Pulling my trailer is way more enjoyable. I didn’t realize how much different a 3/4 truck handles weight over a 1/2 ton truck. I really enjoy your real world opinions on rv’s
We bought our TT back in July. Dry weight is 5,996, gross is 8,600. Sticker on the trailer says tongue weight is 641lbs. We were pulling it with our 2016 Tundra that had a tow capacity of 9,300lbs but only had a payload of 1,100lbs. I bought a tongue scale and we were actually at 1,250lbs tongue weight. Needless to say I sold the Tundra and bought an F-250 diesel. There is a HUGE night and day difference (obviously). Even though I had a beefed up suspension, tires, and even air bags on the Tundra, I didn't feel comfortable knowing I was that much over the Tunda's payload before my family (four plus 100lbs dog) got in the truck. I thought I did all my research before buying our trailer, but still learned so much.
The published tongue weight on our travel trailer was 875lbs. The gross vehicle weight of the trailer is 10500. I have never scaled it but I suspect the tongue weight is well over 1000lbs without the tanks full and our usual gear. My dodge 1500 payload was 1400lbs so I was in the same boat. Our new Chevy truck has a payload of 3200lbs
@@Sam29651 That 1,250lbs tongue weight was with dual batteries and full 20# propane tanks. Now we have dual 30# propane tanks since the F-250 we bought has 2,800lbs payload so I'm not worried at all anymore.
Same here, loved my Raptor but 99% drive axel and white knuckle every mile, felt trailer pull truck, so traded f250 diesel high capacity tow c
Package option front end now right at 50% of gawr and can’t feel trailer get to destination relaxed
@@Sam29651 CAT scale takes 5 minutes and learn everything about your safety
JD I truly believe that your channels has informed 1,000's of viewers Lives. Your reviews are about the number's first and then the RV. Thank you for your reviews
Again, great information. I watched a lot of your videos and decided on a 3/4 Ram gas engine with the 6.4 L to tow my 23ft airstream. Plenty of cushion space and so happy I did. This video just reinforces why I made the right choice. Thank you.
JD your channel is the most informative when it comes to towing numbers. It’s nice knowing the numbers on trailers in your videos. The best information out there...keep up the great videos.
Overkill is always king! Equipment lasts longer, less stress while driving. Good Times!
Matt Mayo -- That's a fact!
Agreed. However you can even take overkill too far (ie f450 for a pop up)
And I've seen people lobby for that. Just saying. Lol
I could be wrong but mostly these max tow numbers are also designed with a flat utility trailer loaded with bricks/ballast which handles a lot different than an RV.
Typically. The ability to balance the weight on a flat or cargo style trailer makes them far different in terms of towing.
The J2807 towing standard uses cargo trailers as well. They have about 5 or so "official trailers" used for the various tests. A cargo trailer mimics a TT farily well, however fifth wheels i don't believe they have anything but open deck trailers for the testing. So I'd argue the standard may be light in that regard. If you're interested, Google J2807 towing standard and you can easily find a PDF to the whole document.
@@BTBRVReviews it doesn't matter what you are towing. You are wrong about balancing weight on a trailer. You need 10 to 15 percent tongue weight. You can order a f-150 with close to 3000 pounds of payload. I realize most don't have that much payload.
@@donhaas8547 The F-150 with a 3,000 pound payload is a base model, 2-door, 8 foot bed with no options and the 3.3L non turbo gas V6. Yes, it can be had which is a lot more than I can say of any of the other manufactures, but it is a big compromise just to get that high of a payload.
You are 100% correct about towing. I have 7000 lbs travel trailer and I towed it with a 2017 GMC Sierra 1/2 ton 5.3 liter V8. It did ok on flat ground but I took it in the mountains of Arkansas which are not that big and thought it was going to blow the engine and transmission up. At one point I was at 5500 rpms and moving 20 mph. Pretty scary. Bought a 2018 Ram 2500 Cummins and have been all over the country. No more problems in the mountains. It’s worth it just for the peace of mind.
I learned this lesson the expensive way, I bought a large travel trailer (13000 lbs) that I thought was within the capacity of my 3/4 ton truck. After 2 relatively short trips, I realized I was way over loaded. So the 250 was gone and replaced with a new 450
When we're in a state with weigh station checkpoints, I distribute weight by making my wife ride in the trailer.
I’ve tried explaining this to people and they look at me like I’m stupid. Well the salesman at the RV dealer said my eco boost F150 will tow it no problem.
JD no matter how many times you explain this information to people there is always someone that shines through. Another good weight distribution explanation video.
Love it JD - keep beating this horse - it is SO important!
I’m one of the 1/2 ton guys that maxes out the payload 😆. Trailer is about 6.5k w/o water too.
Proud
People listen to the salesman at the RV dealership, not realizing they are hunting for the biggest commissions in most instances.
Same with the dealerships, a car salesman will tell you that truck would pull the QE2 on a trailer to get the sale and the trailer salesman will tell you that your 80 VW rabbit pickup will certainly be capable of pulling that 40' 5th wheel. In the sales contract will be the line that states nothing the salesman tells you is binding.
By and large, your salesperson at the RV dealership and Truck dealership are clueless. Their favorite answer is "Oh, yeah! It'll pull with no problems!!" Which is a crock!!! My question to anyone with some actual knowledge .... By putting air bags on a RAM 2500 sort bed with the Cummins, is there a way to calculate any additional "payload" for that truck. It's rated at 2770lbs without any help.
JD explains this so well. Thank You and keep it up. You have Valid points.
My new 2021 Ram 1500 Limited has every option and because of this is heavy - cargo capacity is a tiny 1,146 lbs.
Thank you, I love the content of your videos, especially when it pertains to Safety. Great job explaining. I hope many are taking notes before investing in too small of a tow vehicle. Better overkill for safety than overloaded with disastrous results.
Preach it brother. I think there's going to be a lot upset "max tow package" owners if they watch this. Thanks you for what you do, I refer people to your channel all the time as a reference to help educate new RV owners and keep the safe out there on the roads.
I’m a big believer in overkill when it comes to payload and towing capacity. Don’t have to worry about what you put in the bed of the truck, filling the water tank, being able to go up a steep mountain pass at the speed limit, and best of all being able to do an emergency stop without drama.
I have followed your videos on this subject for a while and have worked the problem using your facts for my truck. I was waiting for you to mention Rear axle GAWR that is also listed on your door jam. It seems to me this could also be a real factor in consideration of what can be safely towed.
You are dead on right! My wife and I spent many hours working a towing calculator to figure out where we stood. In the end, we realized we would break our TV GVWR before we hit our max payload capacity. A 1/2 ton with our teardrop worked out perfectly. We checked on a CAT scale too!
Great video on such a critical topic. So glad I subscribed to your channel. My 2020 Chevy Silverado has a CCC of 2039 pounds and a tow rating of 11400 pounds. When we eventually get our 5300 pound Mini Lite 2509S, we should have no towing issues as our family of 3 weight is 370 pounds and I don't anticipate a ton of gear. An Andersen WD hitch with sway control should have us good to go.
I'm a numbers guy... I just started last year with a very small truck and small camper where even then I knew I was up against the capacities on Payload. We are upgrading our tow behind camper to something a bit bigger, however not "huge".... I just got a beefed up Silverado 2500 HD with lot's of payload for what we are going to use it for. And the "what we are going to use it for" was the key for us. I made all my calculations for the range of tow behind and for the amount of people potentially going camping along with some baggage/supplies. I think these kind of videos are golden, because ultimately, I will be driving my 2500 HD with my family and my camper and will be well within the trucks payload and tow ratings... giving me confidence to travel anywhere SAFELY.
I am paying for safety, not only for my family, but for yours if you meet me on the road. Great channel. I've learned a lot!
People seem to forget...EVERYTHING COUNTS! Get in an accident...and be overweight..the insurance company and the courts will hammer you!
I hear this statement all over the internet often but it is simply not true. Being overweight has to be proven to be a major contributor to the accident for you to be liable for it beyond whatever standard fines may exist for being overweight itself. Now, I fully recommend to people to stay within capacities. However, if you are say 100lbs over payload you don't magically become liable for say a car cutting you off on the highway and getting in an accident. Furthermore, they have to weigh your rig and actually prove that you are over in the first place which can be difficult depending on the amount of carnage in an accident and how close you are on any given number.
@@AmericanAutomotive1 In most states ( I know PA is one) GCVRW is all the need to prove you are overweight. If you get stopped , the trooper already has your vehicle registration. It list your GCVWR and your GVWR. If your GVWR of your truck and the GVWR of your trailer is over the listed GCVWR, you are considered over weight.
@@RAM-on8xb Bingo!!!
@@AmericanAutomotive1 -- That's the silliest thing I've ever heard. Don't mean to be disrespectful but in all my years I've never seen or heard of the authorities weighing a vehicle after an accident. Ronald Stephens is 100% correct. I would highly recommend you listen to him. Do some more homework of your own is highly recommended.
@@jamesbass9797 I agree, rarely do authorities weigh a vehicle after an accident (actually had a guy claim they did to him on a forum once for whatever thats worth).
This further proves my point though. You could be way overweight frankly and they would have no idea if they didn't weigh it. I think you may have read someone else's comment and responded to me cause I agree with you. LOL
I've appreciated your guidance and the math behind it. I was ill-prepared when I bought my travel trailer and truck, putting too much credence into what salespeople were telling me. Unfortunately, I'm now either maxed out or very close to it on cargo capacity. The next time around, I'm buying a truck for the trailer I wish I had and running all the numbers beforehand.
My favorite BTBRV meme... looking at a pop up camper, this will sleep around 2 dozen people, but will not move unless you have a Nimitz class aircraft carrier.
I say ignore both sets of numbers. My truck can pull anything. ....
Great video as usual JD
Luke & Lucas
Also important is getting the correct Weight Distribution Hitch. (they come in weight segments grouping trailer and tongue weights) It is also critical that the hitch is PROPERLY set up. Off by one position makes a huge difference.
Agree to a point, 700lbs for a family? Are they eating at Mc Donald every day every meal? A normal family weight 500 lbs; dad might be 210lbs, mom 160lbs, 2 kid 75lbs each is a normal family.
What if the normal family has teenagers? And they are boys? And they play high school football? 150lbs+ each :). Just messing with you.....but what if?
You can state this 100 more times but people will find a way to "justify" their numbers (in their own heads) so they can pretend they are within specs. I think people spend 50 to 60k on a 1/2 ton and simply can't accept that it has it's limits.
What's funny is the 50-60k trucks due to options tend to have lesser payloads...therefore more money = less capability...which is kinda unfortunate.
@@AmericanAutomotive1 Better is a stripped down bare bones truck. Best is one size larger truck than you thought you needed.
@@richardkoch8752 100% agree. Unless you just want to use the truck to haul 6 2x4s and take the kids to school. Then you're fine with the loaded luxury truck.
@@charlieodom9107 The funny thing is I have 2020 Silverado Custom double-cab with the 2.7 Turbo 4. It's only rated to tow 6700lbs but has a payload of 1866lbs. I bet I can finally get that 5th wheel!
@@charlieodom9107 I'm fully aware, it was just a joke.
don’t forget things added to the truck itself after manufacturing. Tonneau covers, side steps, bigger tires...etc...
@ Steve Whitsett Bingo!!!! those things will significantly decrease your payload and towing capability
Good video. The fact is that a lot of RV and truck dealers don’t give you this information maybe because they don’t know it themselves. In California if you buy a trailer that’s heavier than the tow capacity of your vehicle you have to sign a waiver that you understand that. The law should probably go farther than that and take into account tongue weight and cargo carrying capacity of of the truck. Because of cargo carrying capacity there are no 1/2 ton towable fifth wheels! When I see this I think it really should be called a 3/4 ton gas engine towable fifth wheel! A 10,000# loaded fifth wheel with a 20% hitch weight already exceeds the cargo carrying capacity of any half ton. The other thing I see is that the advertised weight of a trailer in always lighter than the actual finished weight. The overall finished weight of the trailer is on the the yellow sticker but the finished hitch or tongue weight isn’t. This should be included on the sticker as well. Have you ever taken your rig completely loaded to a scale to see where you are as far as GCWR is concerned?
Good video. Another thing to remember: Available payload is simply your truck's GVWR minus its weight at any given time. The sticker payload was only relevant when the truck left the factory. Anything added after the fact (tonneau cover, running boards, in-bed toolbox, bigger tires etc.) reduces that sticker payload. To properly calculate it's best to load up the truck for camping, include all people, pets, cargo, the hitch and a full tank of gas and weigh it at a CAT scale. Deduct this weight from the truck GVWR. This remainder will be the max tongue weight you can support.
That's how you calculate what your payload is. Official payload rating assigned to it from the factory. Fact
Keep up the great words and knowledge u share.
I tow with a 1/2 ton and depending on where the load on trailer is, I can b 300lbs over payload but still have 2900lbs left of GCWR.
GET A SCALE WEIGHT!!
7:40 Mathematically WD hitches do remove weight from the truck by there very nature. When the WD bars are engaged, a portion of weight is removed from the rear axle of the truck to the front axle of the truck, AND to the axle of the trailer. A CAT scale weigh out will prove this. For example on my rig: No WD: GVW - 6720, Steer axle- 3240, Drive axle - 3480, Trailer axle - 4740. With WD GVW - 6560, Steer axle - 3580, Drive axle - 2980, Trailer axle - 4920. As you can see from this the GVW of the truck due to the WD hitch moving weight onto the trailer axles went down by 160lbs in this case. This phenomena is true with ANY properly setup WD setup...only changing in quantity depending on weight of truck and trailer combo.
That’s great information. I’ve never weighed my truck without WD. I should try the same experiment.
I've pointed this out on some of his videos before. Including a link to video proof using scales. I consider the weight of the WDH a wash as long as it's configured properly.
In my opinion you are exactly right. The owners manual will tell you when towing over a certain weight trailer you must use a WD hitch. How else would the manufactures be able to give the tow ratings they list in the owners manual. He also states you can balance the load on a cargo trailer and that is how they get the high ratings. He is wrong you need 10 to 15 percent tongue weight no matter what you are towing.
Much of that is dependent on the specific trailer, WDH, and exact setup of the hitch.
@@BTBRVReviews not 100% sure if you're responding to me in that comment. If not my apologies. If you are saying a WDH doesn't always reduce truck GVW that simply isn't true. The laws of physics state that a PROPERLY setup WDH will put some quantity of weight on both the front axle of the truck AND trailer axles. As a result the GVW of the truck will always be some amount less than without WD every single time. The hitch can't only distribute weight in one direction, ie just onto the truck or just onto the trailer. You would have to defy the laws of physics to have any other scenario.
Everyone should take their RV to a scale and check to be sure they are not over-loaded. Do it when you head out on that long trip with the truck and RV fully loaded.
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. I have learned a lot from you. I am on a few Facebook rv groups and there always seems to be the "Towing Police" argument every once in awhile and when it comes up, I simply refer back you your video archives. And yes, if you make a 99 cent app to configure towing mathematics, I'll be the first to buy!!!
I appreciate your explanation, I have been looking for the explanation that I could understand, you did a magnificent job by making it understandable. Thank you very much
Safely towing is always important. I’ve had one or two white knuckle experiences with badly loaded trailers or overloaded trailers.
You can't stop me from pulling a 6 ton travel trailer with my Prius! You're not my real dad!!
Seriously, thanks for another good video on capacities. We "bought our third truck first", and got a 1-ton dually with a tow package, so we don't actually have to worry about this, but it's still good to know. Whatever RV we end up with (probably something like a Momentum 397 toy hauler), we have a lot of spare capacity. Chad, from Changing Lanes, convinced us early on to go in that direction rather than the barely-enough approach so many seem to take. There's another RV channel I watch where they loaded up their RV and took it to scales, finding that it was slightly over the rated limits of the truck. But they had some excuses for why that was OK anyway. Sometimes I see rigs out on the road that make me cringe. Sure, they've gotten away with it so far, but the same can be said of many drunk drivers.
Had a F150, pulling a 6,600# RV travel trailer. Changed to a F250 diesel and was blown away by the performance. Best choice and better option.
great video and information ....
i see all the time people with mid-size truck pulling trailer they should not be doing then they wonder why the frame breaks, or they cannot stop and use the cars in front of them as breaks
I have an exploration video idea for you. Get a fairly heavy portable grill. Maybe something like 75 lbs. Then with the most accurate tongue-weight tool you have, put that grill in different locations. In the (front) pass through, on the floor near the axle(s), and the rear-most storage of the trailer.
I'd really like to see how moving a significant weight actually effects the tongue weight.
Great explanation of how the trucks payload capacity can be easily exceeded when towing a travel trailer. In Florida, the biggest culprits I've seen are owners of Ford F-150s towing large Grand Design Imagine travel trailers. I see them everywhere. My co-worker was one of the culprits, and he ended up switching to a 3/4 ton gas F-250.
Auto mechanics teacher quote from 45 years ago: There is no replacement for displacement. Same hold true with payload capacity. More tires, more plys, more air, more springs.
Very good info, as I'm shopping for a truck and RV over the next year to camp with with my family of 5. Small kids but I've already ruled out the 1/2 tone trucks for the size RV we are looking to get + all the kid stuff needed in the truck.
Really enjoy these informative videos of yours JD it is really helpful to learn about all the basics of towing & how to do it safely & properly. We're planning on buying an RV in the next year or two & these videos are an awesome resource to help us learn about safe towing. Keep up the great work! 👍
When it comes to rv's, you have to consider the cardboard effect. A completely flat piece of cardboard 4 feet wide and 8 feet long is super light and easy to carry. But when the wind hits it, it becomes really hard to handle.
Hi JD. I think it’s time to do a comparison test of a 1/2 ton vs 3/4 ton towing the very same trailer. The 1/2 ton can be just inside it’s payload capacity. Same tongue weight and payload on both. Then do several tests. Fuel mileage, 0 to 60, a slalom test and a brake test. Also a cost comparison at the same trim level. I will fly down there and help you do that. I think the results would be eye opening.
When I went truck shopping last year, i was very specific about which truck I wanted, and which options I wanted. It was Important for me to have a truck with a payload over 3000#. At the time the dealerships were trying to unload the remaining 2019 models.
At each dealership I would ask for the specific truck with the specific options. At each dealership the sales staff would scoff at me, roll their eyes and tell me I was being way too picky and I didn’t know what I was talking about. One dealership brought in their “rv expert” who tried to tell me I was being stupid.
I finally found the 3/4 ton Ford with the high capacity towing package which increases the GVWR to 10,800# with the diesel. The truck I bought has 3166# payload with a crew cab and diesel. My trailer has a 1200# tongue weight, has a large front surface area (102” wide and 11’6” tall). But I am able to comfortably fit my family of 5 or 6, fill the bed with bikes and extra fuel, and pull my trailer and still have 800# of “wiggle” room.
You can tow whatever you want with whatever you want. That’s what I did.
Thanks JD! I have a 2006 Chevy Silverado with a towing package and really low mileage, but I am thinking about a new trailer and torn about getting a new truck. You’ve given me plenty of food for thought.
JD l think you have done a great job explaining.
Keep spreading the word maybe it will help some family from an incident.
This has always been a very informative site and continues to be. Still, I rarely see someone towing what looks like an outrageous amount to me. But the right thing to do, if you think you are close, is to take your setup through the CAT scales.
i daily a single tire 1ton. Yes it rides stiff. But I don't ever worry about payload. I just go and do what I need to do. My fifth wheel is 9000lbs gross.
Pulled into an RV dealer in our 2010 F150. I had gone through the numbers thanks one of your earlier videos explaining the various weights. Told the salesman what we were looking for. He looked at the truck and immediately went to bigger, heavier trailers. Then argued with me about the capacities. Obviously won't ever go to any other locations of that particular dealership.
Good stuff as usual but I would refute one minor thing at about 8 the 8 minute mark. I don't think a weight distribution hitch transfers weight from the front of a trailer to the back. If that was the case, it would increase the weight on any trailer axles and lighten the hitch and I would have to see proof from a weigh sheet from a scale with the distribution bars loaded and loose that this happens to believe it.
I agree 100%. But if I say this to someone they act like I'm stupid. 20 years ago while towing a boat that was close to my towing capacity and white knuckling it the 2 miles to the boat ramp from the storage yard every weekend, I realized that 50% of the listed towing capacity is the maximum if you want to tow any distance and on the highway. We travel 12-15,000 miles a year in our Super C (M2 Chassis) and I bet 80% or more of the half ton pickups with travel trailers that we pass are over capacity and 25% of them have the hitch setup incorrectly (too low at the hitch with signigicant squat). My buddies and I tow a 4 place snowmobile trailer 8 hours to our hunting/fishing camp. We used a half ton for several years until my buddy traded up to a 3/4 ton. The difference is remarkable and with 4 guys, all our gear, and four snowmobiles the 1/2 ton was for sure way over capacity and drove like it!
Nice video. Hard to believe you just haven't given up trying to convince the inconvincible. Imagine heading out to the holiday dinner with your truck and RV to moochdock with relatives and having to leave someone behind just to make the trip home safely.🤣
Excellent explanation of a bitter topic. I would add that a common misconception is that adding airbags increases payload. Keep up the good work JD
Lot of people tend to forget about the water that’s in their water tank on the trailer say it’s a 40gal tank and they fill it up that means each gallon of water they’ve put in it weighs 8lbs which means they’ve added 320lbs of water 💦 and what about the food and drinks, and I hope they carried some tools 🧰 with them Incase of an emergency breakdown spare tires, even the dreaded spare tire in a can weighs in.
Payload is the most important number in towing, I always use the 3/4 rule better to be safe then sorry ! My payload is 2205 lb the tough weight , cargo and hitch all come to 1845 lbs stay safe
Funny how many forums have this exact same question. While my f150 ecoboost can easily pull the 12k weight. Am always mindful of the 1785 lbs payload sticker on the door. Can’t say how many times I heard guys bragging about 9-10 k and even higher. Appreciate the video.
bumper ratings are with 10% on the truck, gsnk/5th with 15%. This is for safety reasons to optimally handle braking and sway. If you can't get very close to the 10/15%, you need to adjust your trailer or wdh until you do.
I bought a new loaded f150. It only had 1400 pounds of payload. Traded it in for a little optioned f150 with 1850 pounds of payload. Now I'm thinking of trading it in and just getting a loaded f350. Oh well.
A friends Limited F150 with its high output 3.5 Ecoboost motor....has only 1086lbs payload! Can't even come close to what that chassis and engine can truly handle. It really is honestly a shame you have a beautiful truck you can't technically fully utilize.
Same thing with these Raptors, TRX’s, and Power Wagons. Just having passengers puts you at max payload.
You are right. It is more like beating a dead horse at this point. You won't convince some. Those of us that are listening have it already. Next topic please!!
Very well done. Please keep doing this type of vid. maybe in 25-35 years more will understand... I've gone thru this type of explanation at least 100x over my last 40 years of RV-n to others. Usually with blank stares or "the salesman told me I was okay" or "my truck is rated for a lot more towing cap than I am doing". They don't know it's an "and" situation vs "or". I can just about guarantee you that the published hitch weight vs the 'wet' loaded weight are going to be significantly different. Most just plain do not have a clue what the numbers mean and how to use them or how much things add up as they load their rig.- They don't even stop and calc the added weight into the cabin to the load cap. It's a bit frightening.
Wow an actual U-turn lane, never seen that before!!
RV transporters don't really care about the numbers. Guy with 3/4 ton with90 gal aux tank in bed will haul a 13k lb 42ft 5th wheel 2000 miles with no issues.
You have got to check TV GVWR, GCVWR, front and back GAWR, etc. Not to mention the Trailer Axle weight rating. Getting those numbers is not always easy depending on your TV. Especially the curb weight and GCVWR. You need to do the research and due diligence and verify on a CAT scale. Our 1/2 ton has air suspension which is helpful.
I have an f150 ecoboost. 4 door 4x4. Sticker says 1400 lb payload. I added a grill guard and winch and tonnanu cover with some emergency supplies. With my wife me and 2 dogs we are at 800 lbs. If we don't have anything else we only have about 600 lbs for tongue weight. So I get it max trailer would be about 6000 lbs.
Our trailer has a GVWR of 3900 Lbs and the TV has a GVWR of 7200 Lbs. The TV max payload is 1363 Lbs and 9763 of max towing.
As usual your right on the money! Safety First!
This needs to be more commonly understood. My 2019 4Runner has a 5000lb towing capacity but we’re at our limits towing a small camper at 3800lbs gvwr. Vehicle payload and axle ratings are always exceeded before towing capacity.
Appreciate your patience on this topic. It is so important. Most of your recommendations speak to trucks which I understand. However, other then payload IN the towing vehicle, would you make any special adjustments to your calculations for a cargo van? (3/4 or 1 ton van) Thank you.
I use the 80% rule of the towing capacity rating . So if your vehicle can tow 6000 you’d be able to safely tow 4800 including trailer and load in the tow vehicle and trailer
I have a ram 1500 classic putting a softopper on the back instead of fiberglass topper to save some payload weight and keep the dogs in. But at 6'4 trying to find a camper I fit in and isn't too heavy has felt like unicorn hunting.
700 lbs family of 4 as a generic average ... this says at lot about the obesity crisis in America
It is more than towing capacity or payload capacity. Neither number figures in the calculations done by State Police when they flag a RV to take the exit and run them over Haenni scales. The tow vehicle has a GCWR listed in the towing section of the manual. Or should, Ford and Chevy and RAM do (with a couple exceptions). This is the maximum weight the tow vehicle *and* trailer can legally weigh, just like a tractor-trailer. Then there are the GAWR specs of the axles. I weigh RVs (individual tire weights summed up to axles then to gross scale weight) for my day job, and I see a lot of tow vehicles with overloaded rear axles, especially those towing large 5th wheel trailers. The payload upgrade for a truck helps with that, as it almost always gives you more rear axles capacity, which is reflected in the spec plate in the door jam. So basically we, like the State Police, ignore towing capacity and payload capacity "soft" specifications because they are meaningless. If you add towing capacity to tow vehicle GVWR, it *does not* give you GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating). Only the computer engineering design at the manufacturer can calculate GCWR based on suspension, frame strength, the amount of "gussets" and so forth.
In my 55 years of traveling done the interstates coast to coast in either a car, truck or RV of any size I have not seen any pulled over in any state to be weighed. In your opinion what is a payload upgrade for any truck over manufactures spec,s as you stated?
It seems I see this most often advertised without the points you made...at rv shows and the like. Will show the dry weight of the rig then show the tow capacity of a half ton....and label the rig as half ton towable. Smg. Thx for the info again.
Payload is everything
Not to forget the fuel weight! One does tend to leave on holiday with a full fuel tank 😁
This video seems meant for me at this moment. I’m sure I’ll end up with a 3/4ton but for every day life I only need a 1/2 ton. Was just gifted a 32’ travel trailer with dry weight of 7500lbs and 850 tongue weight. 1/2 ton I’m looking at has max tow 11320 and 1720 payload and lucky for me family weight is 409lbs since kids are tiny. Other then generator don’t carry much gear and most towing is local to drive rv on beach at campground but will probably do 2-3 trips a year out of town but that’s it. I drove 25-30k miles a year for work so gas mileage is huge so have dilemma on what truck to get. 1/2 ton would have air bags to help snd wdh on no matter what I get. Picking up rv in nc next weekend with a Chevy 2500 diesel so going to run it over the scales to confirm weights I was given but have to decide now which truck to order. Snd yes ordering it cause on side note the rams in silver with night edition is a beautiful looking truck
Proper weight distribution, hitch systems and when fully load vehicle with camper and/or trailer one should be 5-10% below all maximum weights in each category for safety, stability, control and vehicle/trailer longevity.
Everything that you just explained can be summed up by saying:
*Don't exceed the maximum capacities for which your truck was designed.*
Some advice to any pickup truck owner (not just ½ tons:
Consider aftermarket solutions to reinforce the suspension (beyond a weight distribution kit), which legitimately increase the actual payload capacity and stability of the suspension. Just keep in mind that by doing this it can also subtract from the towing capacity. So, balance everything out to your needs... *AND NEVER EXCEED THE DESIGNATED MAXIMUM CAPACITIES OF THE VEHICLE* even with aftermarket improvements. They're merely to give added safety, rather than for you to get a bigger RV.
Don't stop with towing information, I use it as the yardstick for measuring my towing ability safely.
Seems like most folks with half ton trucks are obsessed with making sure that they are within their payload limits. Seems like most folks with three quarter ton trucks, especially the diesel powered trucks are not concerned about payload at all.
Makes complete sense!
Good stuff JD! 👊🏼💯🇺🇸
I'm towing a 2021 jayco 267bhs gross weight is 7,000lbs with a Ford e350 super duty. Max tow rating is 6,700 but thats with 12 people in the van my payload is over 2,500. I think I'm in my safety zone. Ps I've also removed the last row seat.
I went to my local rental company and they had a sign. you cannot rent a trailer unless you are driving a 3/4 ton truck and have a hitch rated for 5K. related to people not understanding payload as someone broke an axel with severe overloading of their vehicle with rocks
Most half ton trucks an tow a specified load down the road, for me it isn’t how much I can tow, it’s how much weight will my truck be able to handle during an emergency lane change and sudden stop and remain in control. With my family in the truck with me I want to know if the tail will be wagging the dog. Additionally, it’s not just about you, it’s the safety of everyone around you as your driving down the highway at traffic speed. Just my .02
My experience a WD hitch transfers about 85% of that tongue weight transferred to the tow vehicle. Only 15% going back on the trailer axles. 1,000lb. tongue weight 850lbs stays on the tow vehicle.
I recently went to the Cat Scales before and after hooking up my WDH and numbers showed exactly a 50/50 weight distribution from drive axle to steer axle and trailer axles. My drive axle weight was reduced by 250 lbs, my steer axle and trailer axle both increased by 125 lbs.
Shiny truck, JD. Lookin’ good!!
Josh "The RV Nerd" at Haylett Auto and RV Supercenter in Coldwater, MI "shoots straight" pretty much the same way you do, JD. He's a salesman who wants honest business.
How does leverage apply to this? Example like Hensley or weigh safe where the camper is now moved 1 foot further away from the truck. Does that apply more weight to the truck because the load point is 1 foot further away from the truck?
With a WDH no it does not...at least not enough to make a tangible difference. This is simply because the downward force is being distributed forward onto the truck and backward onto the trailer.
With a standard weight carrying hitch it makes a big difference. Further back the hitch is the more leverage the tongue weight has on the truck. In theory, you could make the truck do a wheelie if you had say a 30ft long hitch....unrealistic but you get the idea.
Once you go HD, you never go back.
1/2 tons are todays station wagons. Almost like a mini-van.
There are no such thing as 1/2 ton towable 5th wheels.
JD is spot on. Good to have extra capacity.
Peace of mind and safety count big time to me!
Really enjoyed this video but may I ask when you were adding up all the things up for payload why didn't you also add the weight of a full tank of gas?
A tank of fuel is included in the curb weight so it’s not part of the payload rating. It’s the same as all the other fluids needed to operate.
@@jamesbeaman6337 I always wondered about the gas being included. I just got a new 2021 F250 7.3l 4x4 and the payload rating on the door was 2753 and the truck gvw is 10,000 pounds. To be safe I filled the truck with gas and took my wife with me and had it weighed with us in it and a full tank of gas. The total was 7580. I then subtracted the 7580 from the 10,000 and figured that would give me a new payload capacity of 2420 for luggage and pin weight or hitch weight. Does this sound reasonable. The dealer had given me the paper work when my truck was shipped showing a weight of 6893 without a full tank of fuel but this seemed way too light. I knew that no mater what the curb weight is the max the truck can way overall is 10,000. So I figured doing what I did just gave me a more accurate payload capacity. If I am totally wrong in my reasoning please let me know...thanks
Nice and Informative. Good one. Thanks.
J.D. thanks for going over this again. I understand the payload limitations but know several that add air bags and thinks it makes a difference and simply will not listen. I do have one question I am not sure has been answered, does the payload sticker assume full fuel? If it does, when we upgrade to a 60 gallon tank we need to reduce that number by the weight of the additional fuel above the original tank capacity.
Nice shine on that hood!