Is tongue weight calculated in CGVWR?

[sdclaw21]

I'm contemplating buying a pop-up trailer that would push the limits of my tow vehicle. I want to make sure I understand what all the figures mean. Let's use round figures to aid with our gorilla math.

My combined max gross weight rating of my vehicle is 9,000. The vehicle weight loaded with gear and people is 5,700. The trailer with gear weighs a measured 3,000 with a tongue weight of 400. Is my combined gvw 8,700 or 9,100?

[JRscooby]

troubledwaters wrote:
I would never use cruise control while towing any vehicle at any time. But that's just me, YOMV.

What's the why of that?
I witch because I must be going too fast so can't use all the time I want.

[troubledwaters]

I would never use cruise control while towing any vehicle at any time. But that's just me, YOMV.

[sdclaw21]

Grit dog wrote:

sdclaw21 wrote:

ependydad wrote:
8,700.

If you're worried about 400 lbs, maybe consider a second vehicle to move people out of the tow vehicle?

Thanks. Just this morning I had the idea that if I strapped the wife to the rear bumper of the trailer for the longer trips I would lessen the tongue weight a bit.

Hope like heck your wife don't read this! This could get construed badly or VERY badly, lol!

I'm thinking if my wife ever went through my internet browser history my posts here would be the least of my concerns.

Would anyone use cruise control Towing with a front-wheel drive vehicle?

[sdclaw21]

gmckenzie wrote:

sdclaw21 wrote:

ependydad wrote:
8,700.

If you're worried about 400 lbs, maybe consider a second vehicle to move people out of the tow vehicle?

Thanks. Just this morning I had the idea that if I strapped the wife to the rear bumper of the trailer for the longer trips I would lessen the tongue weight a bit.

Be careful doing this. It might lead to too light of tongue weight and will induce sway, whipping your wife from side to side until she falls off. Just be aware that if the sway suddenly gets better, you may have to go back for her.

I'm reminded of the idea to see who loves you more, your wife or your dog. Toss them both in the trunk, got for a 10 mile drive, stop and open the trunk. The one happy to see you loves you more.

An no, my wife doesn't read these forums. Why do you ask?

If I put both her and the beer cooler back there any sway issues will gradually improve as the trip goes on.

[Grit_dog]

sdclaw, you're thinking right. And sounds like you understand what you're doing. Wouldn't bother me to make a few trips with the minivan and a popup. And if it doesn't handle the trailer to your liking, you're already thinking ahead to plan B. Have fun!

[gmckenzie]

sdclaw21 wrote:

ependydad wrote:
8,700.

If you're worried about 400 lbs, maybe consider a second vehicle to move people out of the tow vehicle?

Thanks. Just this morning I had the idea that if I strapped the wife to the rear bumper of the trailer for the longer trips I would lessen the tongue weight a bit.

Be careful doing this. It might lead to too light of tongue weight and will induce sway, whipping your wife from side to side until she falls off. Just be aware that if the sway suddenly gets better, you may have to go back for her.

I'm reminded of the idea to see who loves you more, your wife or your dog. Toss them both in the trunk, got for a 10 mile drive, stop and open the trunk. The one happy to see you loves you more.

An no, my wife doesn't read these forums. Why do you ask?

[sdclaw21]

twodownzero wrote:
There is no such thing as "combined GVW".

Your GVW is 6,100.

Your GCW is 8,700, assuming your trailer's weight was measured correctly.

GVW is tow unit only. A trailer and truck is a vehicle combination, not a vehicle.

Soooooo... we're arguing semantics regarding placement of the C?

[Terryallan]

sdclaw21 wrote:
I'm contemplating buying a pop-up trailer that would push the limits of my tow vehicle. I want to make sure I understand what all the figures mean. Let's use round figures to aid with our gorilla math.

My combined max gross weight rating of my vehicle is 9,000. The vehicle weight loaded with gear and people is 5,700. The trailer with gear weighs a measured 3,000 with a tongue weight of 400. Is my combined gvw 8,700 or 9,100?

The CGVWR is the weight of the entire combination. If you get the entire rig on the scales while hooked up. That is your combined weight. So yes. The tongue weight is counted in the CGVWR. No need to add it twice.

[twodownzero]

There is no such thing as "combined GVW".

Your GVW is 6,100.

Your GCW is 8,700, assuming your trailer's weight was measured correctly.

GVW is tow unit only. A trailer and truck is a vehicle combination, not a vehicle.

[sdclaw21]

It has surge brakes. I've never used surge breaks but my dad has them on his boat trailer and likes them. I've heard they are subject to fading when useing prolonged engine braking on steep grades which shouldn't be a problem in Iowa.

[stevemorris]

I hope that popup has brakes! GOOD brakes

[Lwiddis]

Water? Propane? Batteries? You want to be “good,” but you’re not.

[sdclaw21]

Re calculated and it looks like I have 1k pounds left over for gear and clothing. Im coming up with 7700 combined with max rating of 8750. I think im good. Now, who wamts to volunteer to drive a motorcycle directly in front of me?

[Lwiddis]

Towing on the “edge” isn’t fun for the driver, isn’t good for the tow vehicle...just isn’t.