Question about towing and GVWR

[silvestravel]

Hello!

We're looking to upgrade our camper, just need a bit more space than we currently have. We're looking at purchasing a Grand Design 2600RB.

Tow vehicle:
2018 RAM 1500
Curb Weight: 5378.50
GVWR: 6900
GCVWR: 13,800
Towing Capacity: 7990
Payload: 1200


The GD 2600RB is:
UVW: 5795
GVWR: 7850
Hitch: 594


So I know the GVWR is pushing our limits of what we can tow, which with that comes safety concerns. The issue I'm having trouble getting a straight answer on is does the GVWR matter if we're not loading it up 100%. We know from our current camper that we added about 431lbs of cargo (CAT scale pre-trip minus the UVW of our current TT).

With that being considered rounding up to 500LBs, even 600lbs for error puts us at 6,395 lbs. Which is 1,595 lbs below our towing capacity.

The easy answer is get a 250 or 2500. Unfortunately just not in the cards at this moment. We just got the 1500 last year and then the camper. At the time with the market it was hard to find trucks and campers due to demand (more people camping due to COVID). We camped nearly every weekend last year and learned we need a bit more space and function.

All that to say I understand the point of the GVWR, but if we're not planning to load up, does it really matter in this case?
Open to any additional feedback.

Thanks in Advance!

[NB Canada]

The weight police will start commenting very soon


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew 1840 payload

[Capt Bob]

Well using your numbers you do indeed have a nice safety margin in "towing capacity" so....
Guesstimating tongue weight we'll use 12.5% x your trailer weight of 6395 lbs and that leaves you with 800lbs +/-.
What you don't know (at least in the post) is what your TV weights by itself, fully loaded.
We do know it has about 800lbs in it via the tongue.
Weighting the truck when full up for camping will get you a lot closer to the answer you seek, all "comforts/safety/opinions" aside.

[sande005]

You've got four potential limits to consider, more or less in this order:

1. Hitch capacity - usually a sticker on the bottom of the hitch. Essentially how much weight it is rated for. This would be the max tongue weight permissible. There are different amounts for dead weight vs using weight distributing.
2. Truck payload - the GVWR of the truck, minus what it currently weights for travel (without trailer). Includes all passengers, snacks, tools, etc., etc. Will be less than the "Payload sticker" due to the things added since it rolled off the factory floor. You hitch weight and tongue weight count against this, too.
3. The CGVWR - actual weight of the truck and trailer combined, all loaded with all passengers.
4. The towing capacity. But if you're good for the above three, this will be fine, also. The closer you get to this limit, the more you may struggle up steep hills.....

[silvestravel]

You've got four potential limits to consider, more or less in this order:

1. Hitch capacity - usually a sticker on the bottom of the hitch. Essentially how much weight it is rated for. This would be the max tongue weight permissible. There are different amounts for dead weight vs using weight distributing.
2. Truck payload - the GVWR of the truck, minus what it currently weights for travel (without trailer). Includes all passengers, snacks, tools, etc., etc. Will be less than the "Payload sticker" due to the things added since it rolled off the factory floor. You hitch weight and tongue weight count against this, too.
3. The CGVWR - actual weight of the truck and trailer combined, all loaded with all passengers.
4. The towing capacity. But if you're good for the above three, this will be fine, also. The closer you get to this limit, the more you may struggle up steep hills.....

1. Hitch says 1,400 lbs.
2. Estimating 650 - There's just two of us and a small dog. We load most of what we have in the camper not much other than wood in the truck bed.
3. Using what we had from our last CAT weigh in and subbing the Grand Design looks like we'd be about 13,720. Which puts us only 80lbs short of GCVWR

[NB Canada]

1. Hitch says 1,400 lbs.
2. Estimating 650 - There's just two of us and a small dog. We load most of what we have in the camper not much other than wood in the truck bed.
3. Using what we had from our last CAT weigh in and subbing the Grand Design looks like we'd be about 13,720. Which puts us only 80lbs short of GCVWR

How are you arriving at 13720??

5400+6400= 11800


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew 1840 payload

[Calnca]

The closer you get to this limit, the more you may struggle up steep hills.....

Most any truck can "pull" a lot of weight........the size and capacity of your TV comes into play when braking and making that 50 mph turn at the bottom of a 7% downgrade road.......it's not just about "can I pull it up the hill"

In this case, overkill is much better than the alternative.......

So does this make me part of the "weight police"?

[NB Canada]

Most any truck can "pull" a lot of weight........the size and capacity of your TV comes into play when braking and making that 50 mph turn at the bottom of a 7% downgrade road.......it's not just about "can I pull it up the hill"

In this case, overkill is much better than the alternative.......

So does this make me part of the "weight police"?

Maybe. But some half tons have bigger brakes than 3/4 tons
Trailers also have brakes to aid in stopping

A 2500 with worn brakes won’t stop faster than a 1/2 ton with new brakes
My Sierra also has down hill assist. I think every truck uses this technology
Driving through Fundy national park I only have to use the brakes slightly. The truck does the rest
As far as “reaching max” and climbing a hill?? It doesn’t really go together
I am quite positive “if I wanted too” I could crest a grade just as fast as a 2500 with a gas or a diesel loaded up
It is okay to rev a gas engine. 4000 rpms doesn’t hurt them


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew 1840 payload

[Ynot4me2]

Hello!

We're looking to upgrade our camper, just need a bit more space than we currently have. We're looking at purchasing a Grand Design 2600RB.

Tow vehicle:
2018 RAM 1500
Curb Weight: 5378.50
GVWR: 6900
GCVWR: 13,800
Towing Capacity: 7990
Payload: 1200


The GD 2600RB is:
UVW: 5795
GVWR: 7850
Hitch: 594


So I know the GVWR is pushing our limits of what we can tow, which with that comes safety concerns. The issue I'm having trouble getting a straight answer on is does the GVWR matter if we're not loading it up 100%. We know from our current camper that we added about 431lbs of cargo (CAT scale pre-trip minus the UVW of our current TT).

With that being considered rounding up to 500LBs, even 600lbs for error puts us at 6,395 lbs. Which is 1,595 lbs below our towing capacity.

The easy answer is get a 250 or 2500. Unfortunately just not in the cards at this moment. We just got the 1500 last year and then the camper. At the time with the market it was hard to find trucks and campers due to demand (more people camping due to COVID). We camped nearly every weekend last year and learned we need a bit more space and function.

All that to say I understand the point of the GVWR, but if we're not planning to load up, does it really matter in this case?
Open to any additional feedback.

Thanks in Advance!

Keep in mind that the UVW is without propane tanks and battery and that number advertised by GD might not be what the actual tt will be. Our 22mle weight sheet was a couple of hundred over the advertised UVW. Most of the folks here with Imagine and Imagine XLS run an average tongue weight of 12.5 to 13%.
So add maybe 100lbs for lp tanks and group 24 battery to the UVW plus what you figure you'll have for cargo and your wdh. There's plenty of true weight calculators on the web that you can use to paint a real picture. Our 22mle loaded fir camping with 1/3 fresh water comes in at 6000 lbs and 760 tongue weight. Our truck payload is at 1426 and we are close to our limit once people are loaded, geny, some tools and beer cooler are loaded. Personally I think you'll be over. Can you tow it, yep. Should you thats up to you.

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[Ynot4me2]

The weight police will start commenting very soon


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew 1840 payload

Really? Thats real constructive advice.

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