Trailering: Anybody using Tow & Stow?

[Highbeam]

Oops, I didn't see who you were replying to, I saw that 1400 and thought it was my 1400. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

"Just hope you can slow that rig down after you finally crest that hill"

I don't believe that GCWR has anything to do with brakes. My owner's manual specifically states that any trailer over 1000 lbs requires its own brakes. Even a lightly loaded trailer/truck combo is very hard to stop if the trailer brakes fail. The ability to control a vehicle also has very little to do with GCWR. I recommend being under all GVWR and GAWR ratings but am least worried about GCWR which is often lower than the combined GVWR ratings of truck and trailer.

I want to stop and control my combo with no unnecessary mechanical failures. The GCWR as far as I know has more to do with acceleration than safety. That's why it is not on the ratings sticker of any of my vehicles, it really doesn't matter much.

 

[jejeosborne]

Truck manufacturers don't put limits due to acceleration alone. It is a mix of safety, durability, and performance in that order. Performance will not kill anyone.

Things that affect GCWR are frame, brakes, axle ratio, wheel bearings, springs, axle strength, shocks, tires, rims, drive train, cooling capacity and I am sure I missed a few.

I don't know if when you mention GAWR if you are meaning the trailer axle or the TV axle. If you mean trailer axle, I am not wanting people to think they are fine because their trailer is loaded within its limits (GAWR) and the truck is within its limits (GVWR) because you may be exceeding the GCWR. This will happen if have a very heafty trailer loaded within its limits. Quick example:
My Dodge truck,
GVWR=6350 lbs
GCWR=11500 lbs
Trailer with GAWR 12000 lbs
Curb weight truck wet with passengers 5000 lbs
Tongue weight=1200 lbs
Trailer Weight loaded=8000 lbs

1st the truck GVWR is good because 1200 lbs + 5000 lbs is less than 6350.

2nd Trailer is very good with 8000 lbs with a rating of 12000 lbs

But... The GCWR is bad because 8000 lbs + 5000 lbs is over 11500 lbs.

Normally this should show up in your manual with a red flag showing the towing capacity being violated but not always. This is why GCWR is important. If you have a trailer that isn't capable of hauling more than your towing capacity, no worries, just don't overload your trailer. The trailer in my case is more capable than my truck so I have to watch my GCWR.

Side note about acceleration, Towing our travel trailer with less weight is tougher to pull than my heavier loaded flat bed trailer. Wind resistance is expensive with these gas prices. I wished we could tow in a vacuum!

 

[Highbeam]

I know what you mean about the wind resistance thing, my old travel trailer was lighter by half but sucked more fuel while towing.

I think we are agreeing on the ratings themselves, just not on whether or not to ignore the GCWR and that is a personal decision based on your priorities. We have about the same truck/trailer combo so I see what you mean about being close. Very few people actually know their ratings and even less know their actual weights.

Both truck and trailer have axle ratings and GVWR ratings. Don't exceed any of those IMHO. The truck has a combined rating that I believe is based on performance alone, perhaps durability as well. It obviously has nothing to do with wheel bearings or suspension as that is taken care of by the axle rating. Why should I care about performance? I am towing a tractor. I think you will see that before you get far above the GCWR that other stickered ratings will be exceeded and we both agree that those ratings are the most important.

Oh and noone knows how any of the ratings are determined, noone but the person making the rating. All we can do is guess.

If it aint on the sticker, it aint important to me or the DOT.