thomasg43
Rice, TX
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Joined: 06/21/2010
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I sure am learning a lot from this forum. After reading here discussions about weight, I drove up I-45 to a CAT Scale and weighed my rig (tv is a half ton pickup with travel trailer. I weighed two separate times.
First, I weighed with weight distributors connected and then I weighed without the weight distributors. Here’s my weight (almost dry):
With Weight Distributor bars connected: Steer axle – 3200 lbs.; Drive axle – 2820 lbs; Trailer axle – 4920 lbs = 10,940 lbs.
Without Weight Distributor bars: Steer axle – 3000 lbs; Drive axle –3120 lbs; Trailer axle 4820 lbs = 10,940 lbs.
My tow vehicle is a 2010 Chevy Silverado, extended cab, with GVW rating of 6,800 lbs with 5.3 L engine, transmission towing package, and 3.42 rear axle ratio.
So… what will you experienced guys say about my towing ability? (1) Am I in good shape for towing or (2) is my towing ability hazardous to life, limb, and rig? If it is hazardous, (3) what precautions should I take?
Thanks for your opinions and advice.
Texas Tommy
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Revo-Ray
Tampa, Florida
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Your weights are better than mine. I believe you will do just fine.
2007 Chevy Silverado 5.3 Crew Z85 Suspension Z82 Tow Package
Plus all the Hitch, Sway and Brake Goodies
2010 Dutchmen Aerolite 29RL-SL
1986 Coleman Newport Pop Up
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twaldher
Bremerton, WA
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Depends on the tongue weight, which we can't determine unless you weigh the truck the same sans trailer or weigh the tongue of the trailer.
1998 Chevy Crew Cab 4500 4x4 454, Auto, 4.10 Gears
2003 Nomad M-308 (30', bunks, 14' slide)
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sharker6
Full time 7/4/08
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Watch out for extended 7% or greater grades, cross and headwinds. Other than that you look good to go. Your scale number ratios look about right from what I've weighted in the past on different rigs.
2009 30' Fleetwood Wilderness, 2008 F-250 Super Duty FX4 stump puller
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johnrbd
San Joaquin Valley
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Does your tv weight include full gas tank, any passenger, anything else you'll be carrying in pickup?
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PopsRacer
Okc, Ok
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Just a thought, you might want to keep this part of your post in mind when loading up because it means you have 780-lbs available (including people)... 4 adults or 2 adults and 2 teens can chew into that allowance pretty quick and is a reason to load heavy gear (soda pop, beer, etc..) directly over the TT axle to keep from affecting yor hitch weight... That actually looks really good IMHO, but may be worth a mental note.
thomasg43 wrote:.. With Weight Distributor bars connected: Steer axle – 3200 lbs.; Drive axle – 2820 lbs; (= 6,020)
...., with GVW rating of 6,800 lbs ....
2005 6" Lifted Nissan Armada LE (Offroad Beast)
2007 Jayco Jay Flight 29BHS
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skipnchar
Topeka or somewhere else
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As long as you're under your ratings for GVWR and GAWR there is no reason you're not safe. As long as you're under your GCVWR and Maximum trailer weight, there is no reason they won't honor any warranty claims you may have (at least they won't be refused because of towing overweight.)
Good luck / Skip
2011 F-150 HD Ecoboost 3.5 V6. 2550 payload, 17,100 GCVWR -
2004 F-150 HD (Traded after 80,000 towing miles)
2007 Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
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eric james
Sioux Falls, SD
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800lbs of payload left. Add 400 lbs of people and you're almost done. Welcome to the 1/2 ton world.
Put the truck in tow/haul mode and hit the road. Keep speed under 65. Go camping!
2009 Keystone Passport UL 290BH
2003 Ford Expedition EB 5.4L/3.73
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Lee185
Paradise Ca,
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Again welcome to the half ton world of towing. 
If you can, go back & get your tongue weight at the scales.
This will help you out alot, on how to pack your trailer.
07 F-150 XLT Screw 4 X 4 5.4L 3:73
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HappyTrails2U2
Atlanta, GA & Augusta, GA
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Lee185 wrote:If you can, go back & get your tongue weight at the scales.
This will help you out alot, on how to pack your trailer.
These Sherline Tongue Scales will help you even more. You'll know what your tongue weight is every time you pack up to go camping without having to go to the truck scales.
2010 Rockwood Signature Ultra Lite 8315BSS
2003 Chevy Silverado 1/2 Ton Extended Cab
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