Simple GVWR process

[Carmel Clown]

Hi gang. I’m looking for a simple way to measure GVWR (I think) for my 5.0. It needs to be simple for my feeble brain. I’m thinking I don’t need to know each individual weight because since the pin weight is over the rear truck axle, it becomes part of the vehicle payload weight. I have a photo from a CAT scale. In this photo, 1+2 is payload and 3 is the towing weight. 1+2+3 is the gross vehicle weight. To be safe towing, I need to make sure I am at or below the recommended payload and at or below the recommended towing weight and at or below the gross vehicle weight. Is that correct?

[splitting_lanes]

That’s correct. And the bonus round at the cat scale involves unhitching the trailer and getting another measurement of the truck, specifically the rear axel, so you know what your pin weight is and how well the trailer is balanced.

Correction: the towing weight includes 3 plus the pin weight which is part of 2

[Carmel Clown]

Are you saying the pin weight is part of the payload and part of the towing weight? Does it then wind up being counted twice on the GVWR?

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by Carmel Clown

Hi gang. I’m looking for a simple way to measure GVWR (I think) for my 5.0. It needs to be simple for my feeble brain. I’m thinking I don’t need to know each individual weight because since the pin weight is over the rear truck axle, it becomes part of the vehicle payload weight. I have a photo from a CAT scale. In this photo, 1+2 is payload and 3 is the towing weight. 1+2+3 is the gross vehicle weight. To be safe towing, I need to make sure I am at or below the recommended payload and at or below the recommended towing weight and at or below the gross vehicle weight. Is that correct?

Measure each axle with trailer connected and then measure the truck axles with no trailer. The difference between 1+2 with trailer and 1+2 without trailer is the payload or hitch weight. This hitch weight + 3 is the overall towing weight. The total weight 1+2+3 when hitched is your gross combined vehicle weight or GCVW. Check #1 and #2 weights when hitched and make sure you aren’t exceeding your GAWR which is the overall gross axle weight ratings.

[splitting_lanes]

Originally Posted by Carmel Clown

Are you saying the pin weight is part of the payload and part of the towing weight? Does it then wind up being counted twice on the GVWR?

The pin weight does count as part of the payload and part of the towed weight, but it does not get counted twice as part of the GVW. To arrive at GWV, add the tow vehicle and the trailer, and any payload in addition to the trailer, but not the pin weight as that’s part of the trailer.

[7Gentex]

Originally Posted by Carmel Clown

Hi gang. I’m looking for a simple way to measure GVWR (I think) for my 5.0. It needs to be simple for my feeble brain. I’m thinking I don’t need to know each individual weight because since the pin weight is over the rear truck axle, it becomes part of the vehicle payload weight. I have a photo from a CAT scale. In this photo, 1+2 is payload and 3 is the towing weight. 1+2+3 is the gross vehicle weight. To be safe towing, I need to make sure I am at or below the recommended payload and at or below the recommended towing weight and at or below the gross vehicle weight. Is that correct?

GVWR = Gross Vehicle Weight RATING, meaning the manufacture's placarded maximum vehicle allowable weight.

Your GCWR = the rating of the tow vehicle for the maximum combined weight of the tow vehicle and the trailer.

For actual weights, drop the "R"s

In your example above:

#1 + 2 equals the GVW of the tow vehicle (not "payload") while hitched and the pin weight is included in such. This GVW value should not exceed the TV GVWR in total, nor by individual axle.

#3 above, plus the pin weight obtained elsewhere, is the GVW of the trailer, which should not exceed the GVWR of the trailer.

#1 + 2 + 3 = GCW and should not exceed the GCWR of your tow vehicle.

Payload = all weight added to an "empty" vehicle. (Includes pin weight) Your TV maximum "payload" is stated on the yellow tire loading sticker on your driver's door frame usually. Usually close to the TV GVWR less actual curb weight as built.

[Centex]

Originally Posted by 7Gentex

#3 above is the GVW of the trailer, which should not exceed the GVWR of the trailer.

Respectfully, that's not correct.

CAT Scale weight #3 is only the load on the trailer axles; you must add the pin weight to get the trailer's GVW for comparison the trailer's GVWR.

As previously mentioned, deriving that data requires two-passes on the CAT Scale, one with the trailer hitched and one with only the truck, and some arithmetic.

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Sharon, you have my sympathy as you read this thread and try to grasp a "simple" process for determining the critical actual weights and ensure compliance with your vehicle's various recommended ratings. IMO this is a confusing bunch of piecemeal info and mixed nomenclature to sort through

Good Luck!

[7Gentex]

Originally Posted by Centex

Respectfully, that's not correct.

CAT Scale weight #3 is only the load on the trailer axles; you must add the pin weight to get the trailer's GVW for comparison the trailer's GVWR.

As previously mentioned, deriving that data requires two-passes on the CAT Scale, one with the trailer hitched and one with only the truck, and some arithmetic.
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Agreed, I edited and corrected my post, good catch sir.