Lynda7;
Here is a worksheet that will tell you if your Tow Vehicle is safely capible of towing and stopping your 3055. For most of us, towing is not a problem, being able to stop safely is a bigger concern and then the load carrying limits of the suspension, frame and axels is the final limiting factor.
[FONT=Arial,]GVWR WORKSHEET[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana,]HOW TO TELL IF YOUR VEHICLE EXCEEDS ITS GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING...
Determine the GVWR by looking on the label located on the driver's door post of most vehicles.
Enter that figure into the table below.
Determine the NET WEIGHT by taking an unloaded vehicle to a public scale and getting it weighed.
Enter the weight into the table below.
GVWR ______________________
(Minus) NET WEIGHT - _____________________
Maximum Allowable Load = ______________________
Load to be Carried = - ____________________
Add all of the following items:
Weight of passengers carried
Weight of all fuel, water, oil and equipment (tools, etc.)
Weight of all after-market items installed
Weight of any cargo
Weight of other miscellaneous items to be carried
Enter the total of all the above to the table above in "Load to be Carried".
Subtract the "Load to be Carried" from the "Maximum Allowable Load".
If the "Maximum Allowable Load" will be exceeded, you must reduce the weight of the "Load to be Carried" in order to remain in compliance with your vehicle's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.
For optimum results, reduce the "Maximum Allowable Load" to 75% of the maximum and stay within that limit to allow a margin of safety.
When integrating a tow vehicle with a trailer, either a fiver or travel trailer, add the GVWR of the trailer with the GVWR of the tow vehicle. If they add up to more than the GCWR of the tow vehicle it's a bad match. The only solution is to pick a lighter trailer or a bigger tow vehicle. The same applies to a self contained unit and a towed unit, either four wheels down or on a dolly.
This was taken from the January issue of Air Safe Hitches.
John
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