Towing Capacity Questions HELP!!

sdeeter19555 · July 27, 2016

That is way low for needing weight distribution hitch. In 2015 manual, max tongue weight without WD is 800lb and the recommended trailer weight to go to WD is 7,000lb.

Maybe they are quoting a 2500/3500...they are 1500#s weight carrying. My passport has a 600# tongue and I don't use or need a WDH...barely sits it down a 1/2".

RV dealers are the worst. Know what you want and what you can legally tow, and don't drive your tow vehicle when looking (or tell them what it is when asked) because they will always push the larger, more expensive, unit and equipment you don't need.

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toro1966 · July 27, 2016

Thanks for the info! That's good to know as so far I was trying to stay under 8500. Now I need to make sure I stay under 8k.

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Not a problem at all. Glad to help!

DAY11 · July 28, 2016

They go by the titled GVW in PA for registration...9200 for my 2500hd and whatever the trailer, 10k in my case. You don't buy "classes" unless you are commercial or modifying the GVW. You can't register a 1500 as a 2500 to haul more, nor can you register a 2500 as a 1500 to cheat the registration costs (you could at one time, not anymore).

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They go by GVWR

GVW is the weight of the vehicle. Your truck doesn't weigh 9200 lbs it is rated for 9200.

Didn't you recieve a class sticker for your truck or are you saying you can't choose the class as it is chosen for you based on the GVWR?

sdeeter19555 · July 28, 2016

GVW is GVWR, they mean exactly the same thing...that sticker, gone on the first inspection since it applies to COMMERCIAL use.

They register based on GVW, nothing more...have a nice night. Vehicle CURB WEIGHT is not GVW.

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DAY11 · July 28, 2016

I'm sorry but you are wrong.

Please look at Vehicle code section 1304.

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/LI/consCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&ttl=75&div=0&chpt=13

You choose the registered weight as long as it is not over GVWR and isn't less than actual vehicle weight. There is a little more to it but that is a summary

GsBowtie · July 28, 2016

I'm sorry but you are wrong.

Please look at Vehicle code section 1304.

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/LI/consCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&ttl=75&div=0&chpt=13

You choose the registered weight as long as it is not over GVWR and isn't less than actual vehicle weight. There is a little more to it but that is a summary

This information is accurate. You choose what weight class to register the vehicle. This is why some people try to cheat the system and register at a lower weight class to save money. However, if you get caught overweight based on your weight class the finest are big.

This has nothing really to do with the op's question though. Just more state of PA, BS!

DAY11 · July 28, 2016

I agree it is PA stuff. Remember why it came up. Now that the OP understood what he could do, I recommended he make sure he registered to do whatever he decided on. I tried to arm him with enough info to decide for himself because he may run into more people who think they know more than they do.

Point is valid. Once a setup up is chosen, check with your state (for yourself) to make sure you are registered to haul it.

gmckenzie · July 28, 2016

Cargo capacity is another thing, I had a '13 ecoboost loaded CC, sunroof, factory running boards, just about everything - except the HD towing package. But it was still rated to tow 10K lbs, but the max cargo weight was 1098lbs lol. So if I hitched a 10K trailer to the thing I could carry 98lbs in the truck with 10% tongue weight. Pretty ridiculous. I will never buy another truck without looking at that yellow sticker again. My enclosed trailer at the time ~7000lbs had 850lbs of tongue weight to tow stable, I weigh 235 so that means I could tow the trailer and carry another 13lbs in the truck. Of course there is the whole passenger thing, could have just put the wife and kids in the trailer I guess..

This is the limiting factor, but in the real world you need to weigh to figure out where you are at. If stopped, the DOT will weigh your axles and compare to the other sticker.

With the 2015 NHT, my payload sticker is 2015. Buy a 3/4 ton diesel and you might be 200-300 lbs more than that, despite it being a much more capable vehicle.

kp52 · July 28, 2016

This is the limiting factor, but in the real world you need to weigh to figure out where you are at. If stopped, the DOT will weigh your axles and compare to the other sticker.

With the 2015 NHT, my payload sticker is 2015. Buy a 3/4 ton diesel and you might be 200-300 lbs more than that, despite it being a much more capable vehicle.

2015lbs is up there, I forget what my last 2500 duramax was, 2250lbs I think. But the diesel; and allison (plus truck itself) is heavy, gas engine 3/4 ton is probably 200lbs more cargo. 2000-2400lbs cargo is more than enough for a 10K trailer unless you have four 250lb passengers 1 ton dually gets you the big numbers.

But yes, axle weight is what will get you if you do get pulled over, thats where the WD hitch comes in. If you hang 1000lbs of tongue weight without a WD hitch your rear axle weight may be over the sticker even though you may be under max cargo. Same if you just use combined weight total. All the numbers work out the same, the max cargo sticker just takes into account the actual weight of the truck with its factory installed options/accessories.

redwngr · July 29, 2016

Payloads for 2015 Sierra 2500's are between 2950 and 3560 lbs, depending on truck configuration.

gmckenzie · July 29, 2016

On the payloads, Found this site.

http://www.gmc.com/sierra-2500hd-pickup-truck/features-specs/trims.html

so 2500HD crew cab standard box payload rating is 2,942 with the 6.0L and 2,583 with the 6.6L

I know the same brochure rating for the NHT 1500 crew cab is 2,230 with the 5.3L. My sticker is 2,015.

So, yes. The 2500 with a diesel is 200-300 pounds more. A better tow vehicle, no question, but this was a surprise to me when I started looking at payloads.

kp52 · July 29, 2016

On the payloads, Found this site.

http://www.gmc.com/sierra-2500hd-pickup-truck/features-specs/trims.html

so 2500HD crew cab standard box payload rating is 2,942 with the 6.0L and 2,583 with the 6.6L

I know the same brochure rating for the NHT 1500 crew cab is 2,230 with the 5.3L. My sticker is 2,015.

So, yes. The 2500 with a diesel is 200-300 pounds more. A better tow vehicle, no question, but this was a surprise to me when I started looking at payloads.

Yep.

Max payload range for 2500s are 3590lbs (2wd gas standard cab) to 2423lbs (crew cab 4x4 long bed duramax).

Plus those payloads are no options, just basic trucks. Add sunroofs, spray in bedliners, running boards etc and max payload drops a couple hundred lbs pretty quick - thats what the max cargo sticker reflects and its different depending on factory options. Fleet guide will give weights of individual options for upfitters so they dont go over fitting aftermarket beds etc.

Technically if you add running boards, spray in liner, tool box, bed cover etc after the truck is built those items should be subtracted from the max cargo on the sticker for a realistic total.

The NHT and Max tow Fords 1500s are up there, Ram has no 1500 'big' tow option and some of the loaded up Laramie 4x4 crew cab 1500 diesels I have seen were around 1000lbs max payload because of the heavier engine. No doubt if I was towing heavy often I would rather have a 2500 and a duramax but the ratings on the GM and Ford Max tow 1500s are pretty impressive.

gmckenzie · July 29, 2016

Here's a list of the top 7 1/2 tons by rated payload capacity.

http://www.autotrader.com/best-cars/top-7-light-duty-pickup-trucks-by-payload-capacity-241420

ewbldavis · July 29, 2016

I've been following this thread as I'm in the market for a camper myself. Most of my questions have been answered in these posts. The only one I have is what weight should I be looking at on trailers? The unloaded or dry weight? Or the gross weight? To find out what my truck can pull?

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Ideally, you want to look at the GVWR for the trailer. Dry weight (or sometimes called shipping weight) is empty trailer. As a rule of thumb, I allow 1200# for stuff.

As an example, my travel trailer GVWR is 9500#. Dry weight is 6858#. I haven't been to a scale yet, but I estimate current loaded weight as about 8000# or so.

Truck tow rating is 9200#. Technically, if I load my trailer as heavy as label allows, I'm over my two rating. If you use GVWR as a guide, you should always be under max for truck (without considering GCWR and related calculations).

Depending on travel trailer dry weight, you can make a reasonable estimate as to how much gear you will use. Obviously, if the dry weight is 5500# and GVWR is 9500#, you won't load 4000# of gear in it. My trailer cargo capacity is 2642#, which is alot, but it is a 34' trailer with tons of storage. I am sure I have every bit of 1200# in it.

Sidebar: Truck tows camper fairly well. My TT sits high, so I can feel wind a bit, but with a good WDH and proper loading, it handles well. That being said, I feel we are about all the truck can handle and considerations will be taken as we approach lease end.