Help understanding how GVWR relates to tow capacity
07-09-2013, 08:27 PM
#1
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Help understanding how GVWR relates to tow capacity
Hi. New to the forum. I'm considering buying a 2004 F150 with 5.4 and a tow package to use as an occasional tow vehicle for a 2-horse trailer. Problem is the seller doesn't know the rating of the tow package. He did supply the VIN, which decodes to a 6,001-10,000 pound GVWR. If I back out the curb weight (about 5K), does that mean I have about 5K pounds towing capacity available? Or does GVWR have any relationship to tow capacity? Related question: When figuring tow capacity, do you consider the full loaded weight of the trailer or just the tongue weight? Thanks in advance for helping a truck/towing newbie....
07-09-2013, 09:48 PM
#2
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Hi. New to the forum. I'm considering buying a 2004 F150 with 5.4 and a tow package to use as an occasional tow vehicle for a 2-horse trailer. Problem is the seller doesn't know the rating of the tow package. He did supply the VIN, which decodes to a 6,001-10,000 pound GVWR. If I back out the curb weight (about 5K), does that mean I have about 5K pounds towing capacity available? Or does GVWR have any relationship to tow capacity? Related question: When figuring tow capacity, do you consider the full loaded weight of the trailer or just the tongue weight? Thanks in advance for helping a truck/towing newbie....
07-10-2013, 08:57 AM
#3
Senior Member
Get all the data for the truck, from the data plate on the door and from the VIN decoder. Once you have that, you can download the owner's manual and the charts will give you the ratings. For instance, if you have a SuperCab with short bed, 17" tires and 3.55 rear end, your max trailer weight is 7300 lbs and the Gross Combined Weight Rating is 13,000 lbs. So good guess by Kev, above 
The only part of trailer weight that contributes to GVWR is the tongue weight. You should use the lowest limiting number in your calculations. So for the example above, the loaded trailer weight should not exceed 7300 lbs and the combined weight of loaded trailer and loaded truck should not exceed 13,000.
And then you have to take into account the capacity of the hitch system, maximum trailer weight and maximum tongue weight. The maximum trailer weight of 7300 lbs would normally require a WDH.
I always err on the side of caution with my horse trailer. From the point of view of towing performance, they are a dynamic (moving) load which can cause stability problems. And from the point of view of care of the cargo, they are my living creatures and not just a 4-wheeler or a boat.
Not that 4-wheeler or boat owners don't love their toys as much as we love our horses.
The only part of trailer weight that contributes to GVWR is the tongue weight. You should use the lowest limiting number in your calculations. So for the example above, the loaded trailer weight should not exceed 7300 lbs and the combined weight of loaded trailer and loaded truck should not exceed 13,000.
And then you have to take into account the capacity of the hitch system, maximum trailer weight and maximum tongue weight. The maximum trailer weight of 7300 lbs would normally require a WDH.
I always err on the side of caution with my horse trailer. From the point of view of towing performance, they are a dynamic (moving) load which can cause stability problems. And from the point of view of care of the cargo, they are my living creatures and not just a 4-wheeler or a boat.
Not that 4-wheeler or boat owners don't love their toys as much as we love our horses.