Exceeding towing vehicle’s gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR)

[Tom Camper]

Ok, I need some help with some trailer and vehicle weight math. We are buying an Escape 19 that when loaded going down the road, I estimate that the dry or empty weight plus equipment, food, fluids, etc. will weigh approximately 4,187 lbs. This is OK because the gross vehicle weight is 5,000 lbs. for this trailer.
There are brakes on this double axel trailer, and we’ll have a sway bar as well.

Our towing vehicle is a 2018 Toyota 4Runner SR5, and the towing capacity is 5,000 lbs. This is ok too as it the weight of the loaded trailer is approximately 4,187. The Toyota’s gross vehicle weight rating (6,300).

My concern is exceeding the Toyota’s gross vehicle weight rating (6,300).
When travelling down the road, I estimate that the Toyota’s overall vehicle weight will be 5,731 (The Empty Weight + People + All Supplies/Equipment + trailer tongue weight).

When you combine the trailer’s overall weight (4,187) with the Toyota’s overall weight (5,731), the gross vehicle weight for both vehicles combined is approximately 9,918 lbs. which exceeds the Toyota’s gross vehicle weight rating (6,300) by 3,618 lbs. NOT A GOOD THING.

I feel like I am overthinking this weight concern, but I could use some knowledgeable advice. Thanks in advance.

 

[JeffreyG]

The 6300# number is the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, which is what the vehicle is capable of carrying including itself, your gear, people, tongue weight, and hitch.

I believe there should be another, higher number which is the Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating, this GCVWR is the combined maximum for car + trailer.

A 6300# GCVWR would make no sense on a vehicle with a supposed 5000# tow rating, because then the car would have to weigh less than 1300# by itself.


If you can't find a GCVWR, then it is presumably at least the 5000# tow rating plus the curb weight of the vehicle, plus 150# for a driver. Anything lower would make the tow rating impossible.

 

[Escaping the World]

You don’t include the total trailer weight ~4000lb on the gross vehicle weight because most of the trailer weight is borne by its own wheels. You only need to add the tongue weight of ~450lb to the total vehicle weight to get the gross weight.

 

[Centex]

Ok, I need some help with some trailer and vehicle weight math. ....

You can download the Owners Manual for your 2018 4 Runner here (link to Toyota website):

https://assets.sia.toyota.com/publications/en/om-s/OM35B46U/pdf/OM35B46U.pdf

The trailer towing section starting on page 176 has a great explanation of the different weight ratings (vehicle, axle, trailer, and combined) and how to evaluate them. The several nifty diagrams of vehicle and trailer on scales may be particularly useful to aid your understanding (IMO Toyota did a good job here).

On page 181 you'll find a table that shows the 5000# Trailer Weight Rating (TWR) for all models, along with the Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR = loaded vehicle + loaded trailer) of 11,100# for 2WD or 11,300# for 4WD models.

Hope that helps, Happy Trailering!

 

[Bouvier]

We weighed our new E-19 two days ago. The fresh water tank was full, the propane tanks were full, no food but most every other bit of gear was aboard. The gray and black water tanks were empty. The trailer weight was 3850 lbs. The tongue weight was 420 lbs.

 

[Tom Camper]

Perfect!! Yep, I was just getting my manual and there it is! Thank you!

 

[Great Eggstrications]

Maybe have a look at this thread:

https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f10/4runner-as-a-tow-vehicle-20057.html

Not sure if your weight capacity specs differ from my 2012, but the only constraint that we're pushing is the rear axle limit.

 

[Fender]

We weighed our new E-19 two days ago. The fresh water tank was full, the propane tanks were full, no food but most every other bit of gear was aboard. The gray and black water tanks were empty. The trailer weight was 3850 lbs. The tongue weight was 420 lbs.

Since I have an E19 on order this is great info but I'd like to clarify. Your forum info says you have a 2021 E21?

 

[Tom Camper]

Excellent numbers when I go to load. Thank you!

 

[Tom Camper]

I have an E19 on order so I can use your figures and they are right in line with my estimates.

 

[Bouvier]

Oops Fender, you're correct. I will change that. We received our E-19 on 3/7/22. Have yet to go camping.

 

[Tom Camper]

Great information in this thread! Thanks!

 

[Tom Camper]

Perfect. Thanks!

 

[John in Santa Cruz]

when we first got the E21, I had a Tacoma 4x4 Access Cab, I think it was a 2008 (so gen 2 tacoma). this had a tow rating of 6500 lbs, max tongue weight of 650, and a payload of.... 1200 lbs (*).

I put a fiberglass shell on the truck to protect my astronomy gear, thats about 100 lbs
my wife and I plus dog and personal stuff are nearly 500 lbs.
the tongue weight of the 4500 lb max loaded E21 is about 500 lbs

ooops, that only leaves 100 lbs for tools + gear in bed of truck. no bueno.



* - this was a Tacoma TRD Access Cab 4x4... the Crew Cab version only had 1000 lbs payload, EEEEK. 4 big adults can easily hit that.

 

[salmo7000]

We weighed our new E-19 two days ago. The fresh water tank was full, the propane tanks were full, no food but most every other bit of gear was aboard. The gray and black water tanks were empty. The trailer weight was 3850 lbs. The tongue weight was 420 lbs.

That surprises me and makes me think I need to weigh my 19 when fully loaded. I have a 2018, and the dry weight listed on the slip when I picked it up said it was right at 3,452 lbs. With full water, propane, kitchen gear, food, beverages, linens, and all the rest of my stuff, I always estimated it weighed at least 4,500 lbs. I don't think I bring all that much stuff, but as a rafter I already know how fast weight can add up. I figured it would be best to err on the high side.

But I've never weighed it, so maybe it's less!

 

[escape artist]

Perfect!! Yep, I was just getting my manual and there it is! Thank you!

Hi: Tom Camper... There's always "Lite beer" for you and "Slim-fast" for the others!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

 

[rubicon327]

Not sure if your weight capacity specs differ from my 2012, but the only constraint that we're pushing is the rear axle limit.

We tow with older Gen 4 4Runners. The GCVWR should be around 11,300# for the newer 4Runner. That's typically not the issue towing even the largest Escape fully loaded. I was going to mention the same as you that the rear GAWR is usually the first thing to be exceeded. There are some really helpful online calculator tools to help one figure out their limits.

 

[brroberts]

I have a heavy E19 because of how I equipped it, and how I load it. We take fairly long trips, and like our toys plus tools and supplies to be reasonably self sufficient. I also like lots of tongue weight. we are typically 4600 - 4650 lbs loaded with fresh water full, black empty and gray as empty as it typically gets - 13%. Tongue weight is 560 ish lbs. Most 19’s are less than that by a good amount.

 

[John in Santa Cruz]

I'm afraid to weigh our rig, heh. OTOH, the tow vehicle is a f250 long bed diesel rated to tow nearly triple the max weight of the E21. And, the E21's tires, wheels, and axles are all rated for a lot more weight than the trailer's GWR. The 100 or so lbs of bikes+rack on the back bumper makes our trailer tongue light if we're not careful to load weight forward..

 

[rubicon327]

we are typically 4600 - 4650 lbs loaded with fresh water full, black empty and gray as empty as it typically gets - 13%. Tongue weight is 560 ish lbs. Most 19’s are less than that by a good amount.

I hope so. Especially those with the classic 19's with a 4000# GVWR