how concerned should i be?

[dthurk]

It would be nice if manufacturers would build in JUST A FEW extra pounds to give just a tiny bit of margin.  Seems to me like they're cutting it right to the edge on axle, tire and all load ratings in general.

[wavery]

It would be nice if manufacturers would build in JUST A FEW extra pounds to give just a tiny bit of margin.  Seems to me like they're cutting it right to the edge on axle, tire and all load ratings in general.

I've noticed the same thing. The GVWR on my trailer is higher than the tires will take.

My GVWR on my TrailManor is 3972. My load range "C" 14" tires are rated at 1750 each for a total of 3500#. Even if you subtract my 400# tongue wt, it's still slightly over.

I'm in the market for tires myself and I think I will try to find load range "D" tires this time. That'll give me a little cushion. I don't like having the tire as the weakest link, although something has to be the weakest link. Breaking an axle would certainly be worse than blowing a tire  :eyecrazy: .

[AustinBoston]

It would be nice if manufacturers would build in JUST A FEW extra pounds to give just a tiny bit of margin.  Seems to me like they're cutting it right to the edge on axle, tire and all load ratings in general.

There probably is a safety margin.  The problem is, there are too many small-minded people who would blow the rating off completely because "I must be in the safety margin."  

I know this because I have met them.  The only thing they understand is "it's illegal" and "you can't."  Sometimes even that doesn't matter to them.  They're the type that blow past you during a blizzard...then you see them in the ditch 5 miles (sometimes less) down the road.  But if you talk to them, they have some reason to blame someone else.

Austin

[sundawg]

You're right. I was getting hung up on calculating backward from the GCWR and placing the trailer tongue weight to the TV and subtracting it from the trailer to figure the weight on the tires..........

In reality the trailer GVWR includes the total weight of the trailer as it stands alone with all support on the scale. However, that has nothing to do with the tire rating. That is calculated by the weight on the tires only and would exclude the weight on the hitch.

Thanks for catching me on that. I corrected that post   .

what were you asking for? kind of lost the question in there...
6820 lbs was tv and pup
4200 lbs was just tv.

[wavery]

what were you asking for? kind of lost the question in there...
6820 lbs was tv and pup
4200 lbs was just tv.

To really calculate what your TV is able to handle, you must know what YOUR vehicle's GCWR is. Sometimes, it's in your owner's manual. Sometimes, you may need to call your dealer with your VIN and ask them to get that # for you. Don't rely on what you find on the internet. It can be misleading.

Having said that, you look like you are in pretty good shape with a 4500# tow rating (which may be very misleading info). That may indicate that you may be able to tow your trailer plus ~1800+# for passengers, cargo and fuel. However, you won't really know until you get that GCWR#.

[sundawg]

To really calculate what your TV is able to handle, you must know what YOUR vehicle's GCWR is. Sometimes, it's in your owner's manual. Sometimes, you may need to call your dealer with your VIN and ask them to get that # for you. Don't rely on what you find on the internet. It can be misleading.

Having said that, you look like you are in pretty good shape with a 4500# tow rating (which may be very misleading info). That may indicate that you may be able to tow your trailer plus ~1800+# for passengers, cargo and fuel. However, you won't really know until you get that GCWR#.

the 4500 lbs was on the door sticker of my tv.

Max Trailer Weight 4,500 lbs.
 4,500 lbs.
 
Max Gross Combination Weight Rating 8,950 lbs.
 8,950 lbs.

[wavery]

the 4500 lbs was on the door sticker of my tv.

Max Trailer Weight 4,500 lbs.
 4,500 lbs.
 
Max Gross Combination Weight Rating 8,950 lbs.
 8,950 lbs.

That GCWR makes it real easy for you. You already have the scale weight of your total package as 6820#. That means that you have a cushion of 2130# on the TV/trailer GCW. You have nothing to worry about except putting the PU on a diet and taking 260# from the PU and moving it to the TV and the tires (which is a real problem).

Using the GCWR that you give here, this 2001 Isuzu Rodeo is one of the very few vehicles that I have ever seen that seems to have a fairly balanced tow rating.

GVWR............8950#
Curb weight....3848#
Difference......5102#

That means that this vehicle can tow the max rating of 4500# and still have 602# left over for cargo, fuel and passengers in the TV. This is the 1st time that I have ever encountered this. Normally, if you subtract the curb weight from the GCWR you end up with just a few pounds over the trailer weight rating for passenger, fuel and cargo.

I'd say, if that GCWR is correct, that is one hell of a TV..... :sombraro: and you could handle a lot bigger trailer than what you currently have. I used to be Service Manager for a large Chevy Dealership in LA. We also handled Isuzu and I was quite impressed with them at that time. Their engines were nearly bullet proof.

What kind of gas mileage do you get towing??

[sundawg]

That GCWR makes it real easy for you. You already have the scale weight of your total package as 6820#. That means that you have a cushion of 2130# on the TV/trailer GCW. You have nothing to worry about except putting the PU on a diet and taking 260# from the PU and moving it to the TV and the tires (which is a real problem).

Using the GCWR that you give here, this 2001 Isuzu Rodeo is one of the very few vehicles that I have ever seen that seems to have a fairly balanced tow rating.

GVWR............8950#
Curb weight....3848#
Difference......5102#

That means that this vehicle can tow the max rating of 4500# and still have 602# left over for cargo, fuel and passengers in the TV. This is the 1st time that I have ever encountered this. Normally, if you subtract the curb weight from the GCWR you end up with just a few pounds over the trailer weight rating for passenger, fuel and cargo.

I'd say, if that GCWR is correct, that is one hell of a TV..... :sombraro: and you could handle a lot bigger trailer than what you currently have. I used to be Service Manager for a large Chevy Dealership in LA. We also handled Isuzu and I was quite impressed with them at that time. Their engines were nearly bullet proof.

What kind of gas mileage do you get towing??

Havent been on a long trip yet.....only 17-18 mpg in town when not towing.