Understanding weights

[Mark13]

Originally Posted by farmerkev

I weighed in on a scale at the dump with a trailer and a light load of trash, and with me and my dad and the traielr it was still under 5000, so I guess I still can fit a good load in there. Is there any general idea on what i can be puttin on my truck trailer weight wise besides the class of the hitch that I have?

I'm probably the wrong person to ask what is the limit on what you can pull. Look in your manual, it should say based on your rear gears, trans, and motor what your trailer weight limit is.







Then double it and add 50% and that's about the max it will do.
I'd go by what the manual says.

[rebelbowtie]

wow thats really light. must be a lawn trailer or something. i'd imagine your truck to weigh around 4200-4700# without a toold box or anything.

[dozerboy]

[QUOTE=farmerkev;4343977]Is there any general idea on what i can be puttin on my truck trailer weight wise besides the class of the hitch that I have?[/QUOTE

Yes it you need to find out the GCVWR (Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating). That is the manufacturers recommended maximum loaded weight of the truck and trailer. Tire weight rating is something you need to look at too its listed on the sidewall. Also your going to need trailer brakes at some point. IIRC the law is over towing over 3K needs trailer brakes, but 3K pushing you is a lot with your light a$$ truck.

[Olds455]

I think in MD the brake requirment in 1000 or 1500lbs. How many untility trailers are out there without brakes though? (sarcastic font) I'm sure none without brakes are ever over 1000lbs.

Even at 1000lbs brakes make a big difference in security. In the past I towed cars/ truck on trailers more than once without brakes and then finally with brakes. Man was I dumb before. Brakes are agood thing.

I have looked high and low for teh GCVWR for my 95 and have never been able to find it. I'm running on memory of when I bought the thing new and the reasonable man theory.