Posted 2006-01-04 7:00 PM (#34906) Subject: GCVR, GVWR, and maximum trailer weight
Veteran
Posts: 194 Location: PA
The recent discussions on GCWR and GVWR have got me twisted around. I'm concerned that the "math" I did when purchasing my most recent trailer is wrong. Can you guys give me your opinion if my truck is enough for my trailer and load?
I have a 2002 Chevy HD 2500 SB crew cab 4x4 with a Duramax and Allison transmission. The truck literature (sales booklet)indicates a max trailer weight of 15,600. The GCWR was not referenced but I assume its close to the 2006 version of the same truck - 22000. I usually travel with 2 people and 3 dogs in the cab.
My trailer is a Sundowner Trailblazer3 3H, 8' LQ - 6.9 wide with a 23' box length. I beleive the trailer weight empty is approximately 8600 pounds. I usually carry one 800 pound Arabian with about 1000 pounds of gear (hay, water, tack, food, feed, etc).
Other than a little squat in the bed when hitched, I have no problems at all hauling this trailer. I can accelerate, stop, and maneuver without any issues. Is the weight I'm hauling within the limits of truck's capacity?
Posted 2006-01-05 2:57 AM (#34920 - in reply to #34906) Subject: RE: GCVR, GVWR, and maximum trailer weight
Elite Veteran
Posts: 954 Location: Hagerstown, MD
Hi Hillview, I have a very similar rig except for name brands and have the same pleasure with my rig as you do yours while driving/hauling. Took me a little while to get the empty weight of the truck, but according to my math you are o.k. on weight limits. Just for jollies, find a truck stop, grain mill or facility that has a vehicle scale and weigh your units. I've weighed my truck empty, trailer empty, truck loaded, trailer loaded and so on. I know exactly what my GCVW is when I pull out of the driveway. Happy trails.
-distributing hitch tongue weight 10 percent to 15 percent of hitch weight 1,200 lb. (544 kg) maximum.
Fifth
-wheel hitch tongue weight 15 percent to 25 percent of hitch weight 2,500 lb (1 134 kg) maximum.
** Fifth wheel hitch rating; weight distributing hitch rating is limited to 12,000 lbs. (5 443 kg).
This owners manual alludes to the idea that the only Chevy approved weight distributing fifth wheel hitch was rated for 12000 lbs. The reason I say this is because every heavier model of truck (eg 3500) was also rated for a max trailer weight of 12000 lbs.
I find a trailer that is possibly similar to yours that has an empty weight of 8040 lbs. That would leave you well under your max trailer weight (8040+800+1000= 9840) Even at your best guesstimate of 8600 lbs you would still be under the 12k.
But the issue is are you over on the GVWR and/ or the rear axle weight rating? Only a visit to a scale will tell.
Posted 2006-01-05 7:56 AM (#34932 - in reply to #34906) Subject: RE: GCVR, GVWR, and maximum trailer weight
Veteran
Posts: 194 Location: PA
Stuck in NH - did you mean GCWR when you said "But the issue is are you over on the GVWR and/ or the rear axle weight rating? Only a visit to a scale will tell?"
I keep getting GVWR and GWCR mixed up - sorry.
Posted 2006-01-05 8:05 AM (#34935 - in reply to #34932) Subject: RE: GCVR, GVWR, and maximum trailer weight
Expert
Posts: 2953 Location: North Carolina
Originally written by Hillview on 2006-01-05 6:56 AM
Stuck in NH - did you mean GCWR when you said "But the issue is are you over on the GVWR and/ or the rear axle weight rating? Only a visit to a scale will tell?" I keep getting GVWR and GWCR mixed up - sorry.
Hillview...
Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating or GCVWR is the maximum COMBINATION of the weights of the loaded truck and trailer.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating or GVWR is the maximum weight of the loaded truck alone. This is made up of the axle ratings. No mattter if you're under the total GVWR. You have to balance the weight between the two axles to remain under each of their ratings.
Posted 2006-01-05 9:37 AM (#34945 - in reply to #34906) Subject: RE: GCVR, GVWR, and maximum trailer weight
Veteran
Posts: 198 Location: Iowa
Can't really answer your question without knowing your actual truck weight and your GVWR. Here's what I would do to make sure your truck can handle it (I"m guessing you will have no problems with that nice of a truck!!)
1. Go weigh your truck at a CAT scale or grain elevator--set it up exactly the way you drive it when towing (full fuel, # of passengers, extra gear, etc.) This is your actual weight.
2. Subtract your actual weight from the GVWR (stamped inside on your driver's door sticker). This will tell you how much you have left for payload. If your pin weight is equal to or under what you have left for payload, you're generally good to go. This is the weight a lot of people forget to check--they often just go by GCVWR or by "max trailer towing capacity." It's also the rating 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton trucks are the most likely to exceed--especially with extra weight of extended cabs and diesels.
3. Add your truck weight and your trailer weight...make sure this number is equal to or under your GCVWR.
4. Finally, make sure your trailer weight is under or equal to your "max trailer weight capacity."
Posted 2006-01-05 10:31 AM (#34950 - in reply to #34906) Subject: RE: GCVR, GVWR, and maximum trailer weight
Veteran
Posts: 194 Location: PA
Thank you everyone for the very helpful info. I have one last question before I head off to find a scale. I'm having trouble determining what my pin and/or hitch weight is. Can you tell me how I can find that please?
Posted 2006-01-05 10:40 AM (#34951 - in reply to #34906) Subject: RE: GCVR, GVWR, and maximum trailer weight
Veteran
Posts: 198 Location: Iowa
Easiest way is to weigh your truck without the trailer on it. Then hook up trailer and go weigh truck again. Difference between what truck weighs alone and what truck weighs with trailer hooked up will be your pin weight. The CAT scales will give you your front axle weight, rear axle weight, total truck weight, and then with trailer attached, your trailer axle weight.
Posted 2006-01-05 5:50 PM (#34980 - in reply to #34906) Subject: RE: GCVR, GVWR, and maximum trailer weight
Regular
Posts: 59 Location: Colorado
The above mentioned method will work to get your hitch pin, however if you just want to check if you are under GVWR, just hook up the entire rig fully loaded and drive the truck onto the scales, so that only the truck tires are on the scale, and the trailer is connected to the truck but its tires are off the scale. Whatever the scale reads can be compared directly to your GVWR. This weight WILL be the weight on the axles of the truck, i.e. the truck and all the things in the truck including hitch pin weight (This is your Gross Vehicle Weight, which you compare against your Gross Vehicle Weight Rating).
On some scales you probably can't do this, but on some you should be able to.
To check your GCWR, if you can get the whole truck/trailer rig on the scales at one time you can just check this weight against the GCWR. If you can only get the truck and trailer on one at a time, you can simply add the two together and compare to GCWR.
GCVR, GVWR, and maximum trailer weight
