Degree,
Thank you for the heads up on the Subaru Baja, but the Baja has a manufacturer's maximum towing capacity of only 2400 lbs, which means that it is actually less than that.
When I started looking into towing vehicles, it became quickly apparent that properly matching up a vehicle to a proposed towing task is much less straightforward than simply looking at the manufacturers maximum towing capacity, which is different from the GVWR.
When considering towing, all of the following variables need to be considered. The manufacturer sets a limit, or rate (R), for each variable and no single variable can be exceeded.
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<font color="blue">GVW (gross vehicle weight) </font> = Vehicle base curb weight* + passengers + cargo + trailer tongue weight (bumper pull) or trailer king pin weight (gooseneck, or fifth-wheel)**
<font color="blue"> GCVW (gross combination vehicle weight)</font> = GVW + Total loaded trailer weight
<font color="blue"> Payload </font> = GVWR minus Base curb weight (when calculating your actual payload, you must include all passengers [-150 already included], any and all cargo, and tongue weight or king pin weight)
You should also keep an eye on axel weight ratings, but I have found that if you don't exceed any of the above, you are unlikely to exceed the axel ratings. However, I have not calculated for a 5th wheel. The rear axel rating may be important when figuring for a 5th wheel.
*Ford's base curb weight includes an empty vehicle with standard options, a full tank of gas, and one 150lb passenger. (I imagine that is a standard calculation, but I do not know)
**For calculation purposes, trailer tongue and king pin weight should be estimated at 10%-15% and 15%-25% of total loaded trailer weight, respectively. Tongue and king pin weight, however, is not important only for towing maximums. The tongue and king pin weights must be within those percentage ranges for safe towing. If your tongue or king pin weight is too heavy or too light, the resulting down or up pressure can cause dangerous lightness in the front end or rear end, respectively.
_____________________________________
It is important to note also that when selecting a towing vehicle, the particular configuration (wheel base [on pick-ups this is most affected by cab style and bed length], engine size and type, drive train, and axel gear ratio) makes a significant difference in a vehicle's maximum towing capacity.
Run the numbers before you buy! Overestimate your cargo; stuff is heavy!
Thank you for the heads up on the Subaru Baja, but the Baja has a manufacturer's maximum towing capacity of only 2400 lbs, which means that it is actually less than that.
When I started looking into towing vehicles, it became quickly apparent that properly matching up a vehicle to a proposed towing task is much less straightforward than simply looking at the manufacturers maximum towing capacity, which is different from the GVWR.
When considering towing, all of the following variables need to be considered. The manufacturer sets a limit, or rate (R), for each variable and no single variable can be exceeded.
________________________________________
<font color="blue">GVW (gross vehicle weight) </font> = Vehicle base curb weight* + passengers + cargo + trailer tongue weight (bumper pull) or trailer king pin weight (gooseneck, or fifth-wheel)**
<font color="blue"> GCVW (gross combination vehicle weight)</font> = GVW + Total loaded trailer weight
<font color="blue"> Payload </font> = GVWR minus Base curb weight (when calculating your actual payload, you must include all passengers [-150 already included], any and all cargo, and tongue weight or king pin weight)
You should also keep an eye on axel weight ratings, but I have found that if you don't exceed any of the above, you are unlikely to exceed the axel ratings. However, I have not calculated for a 5th wheel. The rear axel rating may be important when figuring for a 5th wheel.
*Ford's base curb weight includes an empty vehicle with standard options, a full tank of gas, and one 150lb passenger. (I imagine that is a standard calculation, but I do not know)
**For calculation purposes, trailer tongue and king pin weight should be estimated at 10%-15% and 15%-25% of total loaded trailer weight, respectively. Tongue and king pin weight, however, is not important only for towing maximums. The tongue and king pin weights must be within those percentage ranges for safe towing. If your tongue or king pin weight is too heavy or too light, the resulting down or up pressure can cause dangerous lightness in the front end or rear end, respectively.
_____________________________________
It is important to note also that when selecting a towing vehicle, the particular configuration (wheel base [on pick-ups this is most affected by cab style and bed length], engine size and type, drive train, and axel gear ratio) makes a significant difference in a vehicle's maximum towing capacity.
Run the numbers before you buy! Overestimate your cargo; stuff is heavy!