Curb Weight
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Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Klamath Falls
Curb Weight
Folks, This is going to sound kinda dumb, and me thinks I already know the answer, but I need to have everything in "one sea bag" for a project I am currently doing, so here it goes- Does the curb weight of the towing vehicle have anything to do with towing limitations? My first instinct tells me curb weight of the towing vehicle has absolutely no bearing on towing. Towing is all about horsepower, gearing, braking power, tires and suspension. Is there a general source I can use for a reference one way or the other?
Thanks
Thanks
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 586
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It does have a lot of bearing on towing capacity. Tow ratings are usually set to a tow vehicle with a specific amount of cargo, like a full fuel load and a 150 lb driver and passenger. On my MazdaRanger that would put me at around 3700 lbs. Tow rating is 5,960 lbs. However, if I add 100 lbs of firewood, two 50 lb coolers, and 30 lbs of bicycles in the bed, plus my 30 lb toolbox in the back seat, you need to subtract that from your max to rating, so 5960-260= 5700. Not to mention I'm much more than 150 lbs.
The most obvious example of this is comparing the 2wd tow rating to the 4wd tow rating of otherwise identical trucks. In my case I believe the 4wd is 5440 or something like that. The difference is due to the weight of the transfer case, front axle, and drive shaft, and anything else. So the curb weight of the 4wd is higher than the curb weight of the 2wd, thus a reduced towing capacity.
The tourque, gearing, brakes, and heavy cooling are matched to handle the max Gross Combined Weight Rating. So the curb weight is definitely a variably in your combined weight.
The most obvious example of this is comparing the 2wd tow rating to the 4wd tow rating of otherwise identical trucks. In my case I believe the 4wd is 5440 or something like that. The difference is due to the weight of the transfer case, front axle, and drive shaft, and anything else. So the curb weight of the 4wd is higher than the curb weight of the 2wd, thus a reduced towing capacity.
The tourque, gearing, brakes, and heavy cooling are matched to handle the max Gross Combined Weight Rating. So the curb weight is definitely a variably in your combined weight.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,398
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From: Whittier, CA
The weight of the tow vehicle has to impact the tow rating. It is one of the factors. But as far as resources, I don't think you will find a formula or table. Every manufacturer sets their own ratings, and as we have seen they can change them on a whim to meet marketing goals. They are not going to share with the public the formulas they use.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 132
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From: Fairbanks, AK
If you are getting into a big trailer it can have an impact on your Gross Combined Weight Rating. When you get the whole kit and cabbodle together, truck, cargo, and trailer, that is your GCWR. I believe that in the 03-07 years in a F350 you have 23.5k pound GCWR, so if your truck is very heavy you start to lose weight in the amount of trailer you can tow. You have lots of limits in a trailer, tire rating, tow rating for type of hitch (goose/5er, bumper pull) Gross Wieght Axle Rear, and then your GCWR. How big of a trailer are you looking at pulling, what type of hitch/truck. I know that I have had trailers that would put me over my GCWR even though they were under my tow rating because of the weight of my truck with all the crapola I keep in it. Also if you have a large truck, F450, and you go over 26k GCWR thats CDL territory. Just one thing to consider
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2009
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Folks, This is going to sound kinda dumb, and me thinks I already know the answer, but I need to have everything in "one sea bag" for a project I am currently doing, so here it goes- Does the curb weight of the towing vehicle have anything to do with towing limitations? My first instinct tells me curb weight of the towing vehicle has absolutely no bearing on towing. Towing is all about horsepower, gearing, braking power, tires and suspension. Is there a general source I can use for a reference one way or the other?
Thanks
Thanks
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 396
Likes: 0
Also if you have a large truck, F450, and you go over 26k GCWR thats CDL territory. Just one thing to consider
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
From: Fairbanks, AK
Your right I was tyoing fast and didnt proof read it. Im sure that an 250/350 can get above 26K GCW but I would think it would be over its towing capacity on paper not sure though
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 396
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When I tow my 20k GVWR trailer even empty I need a CDL but I am certainly not over my tow rating, even if I did care what my tow rating is.
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