Towing Capacity

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Sep 13, 2015 | 07:09 PM

beanstock2

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Towing Capacity

Guy's , I posted this a while back in another forum and did'nt get much of a resonse. Hoping I'll get more/better info now. In addition to the Wells cargo Trailer I now have a 18' flatbed, two axel trailer I want to haul Feed/Hay with Can't find a data plate on it so I'll have to weigh it to get exact data but i can't imagine that it weighs more than the Wellls Cargo tralier I have. The truck I have is a 1990 F250.(auto trans) On the door panel it says the GVWR is 8,600 LBS.

I need to tow a Wells Cargo Work Wagon that has a curb weight of
2,900 LBS and a hitch weight of 10-15%. I will have about 50# of
cargo in the truck bed and two persons in the the cab approx combined
weight of 350 Lbs. can i tow this? Also, for future refrence is there a
formula to calculate the tow capacity based on the GVRW or do I have
to have the truck weighed? Thanks in Advance to everyone who answers

Last edited by beanstock2; Sep 13, 2015 at 08:24 PM. Reason: additional data

Sep 13, 2015 | 08:09 PM

DeathRangerofDeath

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Technically, yes, to do it right, you have to weigh everything.

Almost nobody does, and ends up guessing. It can be much more work in the long run to guess.

Tow rating = GCVWR (note, not GVWR ) minus actual vehicle weight loaded up ready to go, including fuel/gear in the truck/passengers/driver.

The total weight of the truck itself cannot (should not) exceed the GVWR. The GVWR includes the tounge weight of the trailer.

GVWR is gross vehicle weight rating. Just the truck itself. The max it can weigh period.

GCVWR is gross combined vehicle weight rating. Max weight of truck + trailer.

Edit: if the trailer actually weighs 2900lbs, there is no reason to weigh anything. 3k is well within any kind of towing guideline you'll find for your truck.
If that's the empty weight of the trailer, and it's all loaded up, weighing it wouldn't a bad idea.. you can very easily seriously overload a trailer and have no idea.

Sep 13, 2015 | 08:22 PM

beanstock2

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Tow Capacity

DeathRanger Thanks for the info,

how do i find the GCVWR for that truck or any any truck?
Should it be on the data plate as well?

Sep 13, 2015 | 09:40 PM

DeathRangerofDeath

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It's in the owner's manual. There are also RV sites online that list them, may even be able to find it on the Ford Fleet site.. but it seems they've removed a lot of that stuff unless you have an account.

I have a 95 manual I could look it up if you want to post up tour door tag, it's probably similar.

Sep 13, 2015 | 10:27 PM

Nothing Special

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From: Roseville, MN

GCWR is mostly affected by drivetrain. Bigger engines, automatic transmissions and lower axle gears will all bump it up over the alternatives.

Nov 29, 2015 | 04:13 AM

bart f-350

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Nothing Special

GCWR is mostly affected by drivetrain. Bigger engines, automatic transmissions and lower axle gears will all bump it up over the alternatives.

That and I just learned it has to do with the brake circuit on your truck.

for example, mine 1989 F-350 has 11.000# GVW, and the brake circuit is rated for 10.000# - 14.000# (I'm sorry, can't remember where I found that) and I was told that therefore my truck has a GCWR of 14.000#.

It might be that you can find this brake spec. in the VIN number.
other than that, if you can find a owners manual for your truck (year, model, engine,gearbox,axle spec's) and it tells you the GCWR as well.