[Hermes1]

Stumbled across this today, thought I would share here as this subject comes up often.
http://rvtowcheck.com/

 

[brandonjansen]

Something seems a little hokey with that thing for me... Just for curiosity I threw in the numbers for my truck with an estimated scaled weight of it (based of the spec'd base weight). It's telling me my max conventional tow is 13,200 which sounds about right but that my max 5th wheel tow is only 8250. How's it figure that?! :4-dontknow:

 

[GTyankee]

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http://www.ramtrucks.com/en/towing_guide/

this site has some good information & uses cab type, transmission, axle ratio, & tire size

http://www.onlinetowingguide.com/guidelines/towing_capacities.html

 

[Hermes1]

Something seems a little hokey with that thing for me... Just for curiosity I threw in the numbers for my truck with an estimated scaled weight of it (based of the spec'd base weight). It's telling me my max conventional tow is 13,200 which sounds about right but that my max 5th wheel tow is only 8250. How's it figure that?! :4-dontknow:

Yeah that is funky Brandon, not sure I can explain it. It worked out pretty close for my truck.

 

[TheTowMaster]

Something seems a little hokey with that thing for me... Just for curiosity I threw in the numbers for my truck with an estimated scaled weight of it (based of the spec'd base weight). It's telling me my max conventional tow is 13,200 which sounds about right but that my max 5th wheel tow is only 8250. How's it figure that?! :4-dontknow:

Hi, I'm the creator of the mentioned app. I hope to clear up any "hokey" interpretations.

I suspect your truck is a SRW with a GVWR of about 10,100 pounds and the rear GAWR is 6,200 pounds. If I'm correct, that is the reason your seeing such a low 5th wheel capability. The app uses the midrange calculations for 5th wheel pin weight of 20%. (Which is the national average as well.)

If I'm incorrect with my assertion, please advise with correct ratings.

 

[Grunt0311]

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http://www.ramtrucks.com/en/towing_guide/

this site has some good information & uses cab type, transmission, axle ratio, & tire size

http://www.onlinetowingguide.com/guidelines/towing_capacities.html

I hadn't seen that site before. Thanks!

 

[RayK]

Hi, I'm the creator of the mentioned app. I hope to clear up any "hokey" interpretations.

I suspect your truck is a SRW with a GVWR of about 10,100 pounds and the rear GAWR is 6,200 pounds. If I'm correct, that is the reason your seeing such a low 5th wheel capability. The app uses the midrange calculations for 5th wheel pin weight of 20%. (Which is the national average as well.)

If I'm incorrect with my assertion, please advise with correct ratings.

My truck is GCVW of 25,000, curb weight of 7,750.
RAM payload calculator has payload as 2,274 and tow rating of 14,826.
Seems to me the payload, passengers, equipment, and tow rating need to add up to 17,000, no matter if it's a TT or 5th wheel. You cannot exceed the payload of 2,274.

What do you think?

 

[TheTowMaster]

My truck is GCVW of 25,000, curb weight of 7,750.
RAM payload calculator has payload as 2,274 and tow rating of 14,826.
Seems to me the payload, passengers, equipment, and tow rating need to add up to 17,000, no matter if it's a TT or 5th wheel. You cannot exceed the payload of 2,274.

What do you think?

You are correct that it is best not to exceed the payload. To be certain that we are on the same page, the calculation for payload is: GVWR - GVW.

Using your payload of 2,274 pounds would allow you to tow a 5th wheel up to 11,370 pounds based on 20% pin weight.

For a conventional tow, it has the potential to tow 18,182 pounds (based on 12.5% tongue weight), but the GCWR limits the maximum towing capacity to 17,250 pounds. Formula: GCWR - GVW = Maximum Towing Capacity

As more weight that is added to the truck, it reduces the towing capacity. 5th wheels add much more weight to the truck than a conventional tow. Thus the reason that some trucks cannot tow 5th wheel weight near as much as conventional trailers.

What's most important is that all need to avoid exceeding the GVWR as much as possible. GVWR will be exceeded before maximum weight is put on the axles. There is a reason that manufacturers say not to exceed the GVWR.

 

[TheTowMaster]

Look up by VIN#

Find 2009 or newer vehicle models
A minimum of 10 characters is required

http://www.ramtrucks.com/en/towing_guide/

this site has some good information & uses cab type, transmission, axle ratio, & tire size

http://www.onlinetowingguide.com/guidelines/towing_capacities.html

Although I appreciate the tools that have been available to consumers and dealers for several years, like tow charts, dealer's websites, and websites similar to Trailer Life's Towing Guide, the reality is, none of these have worked to reduce the sale and purchase of mismatched RV rigs. The RVSEF weighing program proves this fact. Currently, 60% of all tow vehicles are overloaded in at least one load rating.

Here is a quote from the OP's mentioned website:

"Practically all towing guides give RVers just enough information that may cause them to purchase a trailer too heavy for their tow vehicle's capabilities. Towing guides listing Maximum Tow Capacity fail to take into consideration the different towing requirements between 5th wheel and conventional trailers. These common guides do not consider the additional payload weight created by the fifth wheel trailer pin weight. Even the creators of the most well known towing guide published by Trailer Life devotes four pages of instructions, entitled "Choose Wisely," that spells out the details required for selecting the correct towing combination. With the RV Tow Check app, you'll never need to read a towing guide again."

Late add -

I should note the the Online Towing Guide mentioned shows only years for 2010 and 2011. The app only covers 2005 to 2012. The app hasn't been updated since it's release.

 

[RayK]

You are correct that it is best not to exceed the payload. To be certain that we are on the same page, the calculation for payload is: GVWR - GVW.

Using your payload of 2,274 pounds would allow you to tow a 5th wheel up to 11,370 pounds based on 20% pin weight.

For a conventional tow, it has the potential to tow 18,182 pounds (based on 12.5% tongue weight), but the GCWR limits the maximum towing capacity to 17,250 pounds. Formula: GCWR - GVW = Maximum Towing Capacity

As more weight that is added to the truck, it reduces the towing capacity. 5th wheels add much more weight to the truck than a conventional tow. Thus the reason that some trucks cannot tow 5th wheel weight near as much as conventional trailers.

What's most important is that all need to avoid exceeding the GVWR as much as possible. GVWR will be exceeded before maximum weight is put on the axles. There is a reason that manufacturers say not to exceed the GVWR.

Frankly, I'd rather tow a heavy trailer with a 5th wheel or gooseneck compared to a receiver hitch.

Thanks for the response and it's interesting to look at trailer hookups at rest stops. Some are just scary.

 

[Hermes1]

Although I appreciate the tools that have been available to consumers and dealers for several years, like tow charts, dealer's websites, and websites similar to Trailer Life's Towing Guide, the reality is, none of these have worked to reduce the sale and purchase of mismatched RV rigs. The RVSEF weighing program proves this fact. Currently, 60% of all tow vehicles are overloaded in at least one load rating.

Here is a quote from the OP's mentioned website:

"Practically all towing guides give RVers just enough information that may cause them to purchase a trailer too heavy for their tow vehicle's capabilities. Towing guides listing Maximum Tow Capacity fail to take into consideration the different towing requirements between 5th wheel and conventional trailers. These common guides do not consider the additional payload weight created by the fifth wheel trailer pin weight. Even the creators of the most well known towing guide published by Trailer Life devotes four pages of instructions, entitled "Choose Wisely," that spells out the details required for selecting the correct towing combination. With the RV Tow Check app, you'll never need to read a towing guide again."

Late add -

I should note the the Online Towing Guide mentioned shows only years for 2010 and 2011. The app only covers 2005 to 2012. The app hasn't been updated since it's release.

Yes very true and do not even get me started on Trailer Life and their towing guide. They even had the nerve or should I say the irresponsibility to write in a recent articel that one of the larger Artic Fox 5th Wheels (forgot the model( is towable by a half ton truck. The pin weight of that 5th wheel considerably exceeds the payload of any half ton truck as reported in their own Towing guide and the weight of the 5th wheel also exceeds the towing capacity of any half ton truck on the market

Frankly, I'd rather tow a heavy trailer with a 5th wheel or gooseneck compared to a receiver hitch.


Thanks for the response and it's interesting to look at trailer hookups at rest stops. Some are just scary.

Ken they tow well for sure, but you should try towing a receiver hitch trailer with the Hensley anti-sway/WD hitch. Night and day from anything on the market. Other than the added space and floor plans of a 5th wheel, the Hensley has taken the towing stability issue out of the equation. And yes looking at what is on the road is indeed scary.