Posted by Ben on December 18, 02 at 10:51:05:
In Reply to: Same rig, Tahoe/Yukon and Suburban...just stretched posted by Ben on December 18, 02 at 10:45:03:
: Same everything. Engine, tranny, diff, frame, etc. Difference is stretched frame/body/etc.
: Not think about this. With that stretched body, you can put more stuff inside of it. It also lookes almost exactly like a 3/4 ton Suburban, which has different: frame, tranny, diff, suspension, etc.
: That means same suspension and drive train carrying more weight BEFORE loading anything or towing anything.
: More weight and the confusion that it can hold as much as a 3/4 ton means it's over loaded EASILY.
: For those who use their trucks/Suburbans mainly as cars, a 1/2 ton will do nicely. BUT for those who haul/tow, then pushing the limits.
: Note that the tow ratings has marketing shell game going on. They all do it and must do it to keep competitive...untill the buying public becomes educated enough to see through it all.
: GVWR, is gross vehicle weight rating and is what that vehicle can carry as a maximum, including it's own weight. Applies to any vehicle or trailer as a stand alone.
: GAWR, is gross axle weight rating and is what that axle can carry.
: GCWR, is gross combined weight rating and is the combined weight of both tow rig and trailer.
: Max trailer, is the listed maximum trailer weight a vehicle can tow. NOT the trailers GVWR, just the maximum weight that tow rig can handle.
: Curb, is base vehicle with full fluids and NO options. This what they use to figure "max trailer" and GCWR. No one buys this, or maybe very few do. If you have any options, it adds to the curb weight and subtracts from the "max trailer" weight rating. That means subtract the weight of: AC, rear AC/Heater, 2nd/3rd row seats, rugs, stereo, 4x4, bigger engine, full sized spare, etc. All of these "options" subtract from the "max trailer weight rating" that rig can tow.
: So, when you hear someone saying they have a fully optioned 1/2 ton Suburban with 3.42 diff ratio and will tow listed max trailer weight, you'll know that they are over loaded. Throw in larger dia tires, and it's even worse (larger tires than stock decrease diff effective ratio...lower numeric).
Recommend this formula:
Take tow rig's GVWR subtract from GCWR = max trailer weight.
Note that if you take the tow rig's "GVWR" and add "max trailer weight listed" you will be OVER the "GCWR" !?! Then if you take the "curb" and add "max trailer weight listed" you will get the "GCWR". This means they used "curb" to figure "max trailer weight rating" and "GCWR".
Also, many assume "max trailer weight rating" means same as "trailer's GVWR". Can be, but not necessarily so. The trailers GVWR can be much higher and depends on whether you load up to that number or not.