Tow Ratings – Camper Weights
RV Tool Time Tech Tips
Tim: Hey Al, have you seen the new trucks and SUVs
out there? Man, they can sure pull a lot these days. Some of
the 150 Series trucks can pull over 9,000 lbs.
Al: Ya, but there’s still a lot of false
information floating
around. Some people think the GVWR number is the tow
capacity of their tow vehicle.
Tim: Well
Al, I just met with ICBC about their new rules, so let’s make “tow ratings” really
clear.
Al: OK,
there are 2 ways to fi nd out the real tow rating of your tow vehicle.
1) look in your manual - very few have the
exact #. It is usually generic for that model, but not specifc
to your exact unit. If it is not there, take your VIN # to the
dealer and have them put it in the computer to the manufacturer
to get the tow rating, based on the springs, axle ratio, 2
WlDr, 4 WlDr, Diesel Vs Gasetc. on your unit. 2) the easy
way is to go to the web www.trailerlife.com There are lots
of neat things about trailering, but they have a section called
TOW RATINGS. In that section, they have the tow rating
for every vehicle made. If it gives a rating for trailers only,
you can add about 10% capacity more for a 5th wheel.
Tim: Great
idea Al! Once they have the tow rating of their tow vehicle, they can
check the weight of the trailer/5th wheel. They should know the DRY
WEIGHT and GVWR of the trailer/5th. The DRY is the weight of the unit
without anything in it - no water, propane, bedding etc. Then add the
amount of weight you would have if you travelled - water,
propane, food, dishes, equipment etc. This should not exceed
the GVWR of the trailer (gross vehicle weight rating - total
amount of weight the unit can weigh when fully loaded – In
most cases the Dry Weight plus gear is substantially lower
than the units GVWR). All our branches have a list of these
ratings.
Al: One
other thing Tim. When a trailer or 5th has a front kitchen or front
slide, often the hitch weight (tongue weight) can be a little heavy.
People should check the hitch/ tongue weight of the unit being towed
- if that # is not in the unit, our sales people at all branches have
those #’s available.
Tim: Super
- once they know the hitch weight, they can check the payload capacity
of their tow vehicle. This is the amount of weight they are allowed
on the hitch. This is the
same weight calculation for fi guring out how heavy a camper
they can load.
Al: Correct,
but let’s fi nish this fi rst.
Take the GVWR of the towing vehicle. That is found on the metal
plate attached
to the driver’s door or frame on driver’s side. It
will state the
GVWR in kgs. or lbs. (if kgs., multiply by 2.2 for lbs.). Take
that # and subtract the loaded weight of the tow vehicle (unit
plus load you take camping - gas, people, gear etc.). You can
always take your unit to a weigh scale and asked for it to be
weighed (free). The balance is the weight you can CARRY in
the box.
Tim: So
the GVWR minus the loaded weight of tow vehicle = payload (amount of
weight you can carry) or hitch or tongue weight. This # should be below
the hitch/tongue weight of the unit being towed.
Al: That
same formula applies for campers. Want to know what weight camper you
can carry on your truck? Same as above - take the GVWR of your truck,
subtract the loaded
weight of your truck and the balance is the weight you can
carry (payload). Look for a camper that weight or less.
Tim: This
should help Al. Oh yeah, one other thing. The ICBC rules state that “if
your trailer/5th weighs more than 4,600 kgs.(10,120 lbs.) and you have
a Class 5 license, you need to upgrade your license”. You can do this by
upgrading your license or apply for a Restriction 20 endorsement.
There are also Driving Classes available at several locations
on the island and from Okanagan University College in
Kelowna.
Al: Trucks
built before Jan 2001 are grandfathered as far as meeting their GVWR
Payload. Almost all trucks can safely carry more than their posted
GVWR and you will notice the
New Trucks have a much hiher posted GVWR rating.
Tim: If
all this sounds a little confusing , stop by anyone of our locations
and have our friendly staff review it with you!!!
Drop in,
call or email us if you have any questions –
The coffee is always on. Have fun RVing!
CALL ANY OF THE FINE SERVICE REPS AT ARBUTUS RV
Marianne in Sidney at 655-1119 or toll-free 1-888-272-8888
Rolf in Mill Bay at 743-3800 or toll-free 1-800-665-5581
Dwayne or Rick in Nanaimo at 245-0282 or toll-free 1-877-245-0282
Paul or Doug in Courtenay at 337-2174 or toll-free 1-866-330-2174
