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03-19-2012, 11:15 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Green Bay Wisconsin
Posts: 8
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Help needed with weight ratings...
I am looking to buy the Passport 195RB which has a GVWR of 5950 LBS. My truck (2006 Dodge Dakota) is rated for 7000 LBS on one website, and 7100 LBS on a second site. (it is the V8 and 4x4). I will be purchasing anti sway, weight distributing hitch, and brake controller.
I am familiar with towing vehicles, but weight ratings and all that are not my specialty. All of you experts here please let me know if this is too close, or its enough spread if I do not travel with full tanks and I leave a lot at home? Safety is my goal (I have a popup right now and want to upgrade).
Thank you in advance! (I was reading other posts and want a calm feeling before I go any further with my purchase plans)
Nathan
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03-19-2012, 11:31 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Simi Valley, CA
Posts: 122
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From what I saw on the weight rating table of the Dodge Dakota, it has a GCWR (gross combined weight rating) meaning the weight total of the truck and trailer of 7700lbs. So if the trailer is rated at 5950, the truck maxed out could only be rated to 1750. Meaning that trailer is too heavy for the Dakota.
Here is a definition of GCWR that I pulled for you
A vehicle's GCWR is a specific weight determined by the manufacturer to be the maximum weight of a loaded tow vehicle and its attached loaded trailer. The total weight of the tow vehicle and trailer should never exceed the manufacturer's listed GCWR
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03-19-2012, 11:49 AM
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#3
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Green Bay Wisconsin
Posts: 8
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"It can now tow a full 7,000 pounds and carry a gross combined vehicle weight of 11,500 pounds when properly outfitted" can be found on this site: http://www.allpar.com/reviews/2006/dakota-dodge.html
I have no idea if this is a reliable number, or what I really should be looking at.
Thank you for getting back to me so quickly!
Nathan
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03-19-2012, 11:55 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Simi Valley, CA
Posts: 122
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Quote:
Originally Posted by golfnate07
"It can now tow a full 7,000 pounds and carry a gross combined vehicle weight of 11,500 pounds when properly outfitted" can be found on this site: http://www.allpar.com/reviews/2006/dakota-dodge.html
I have no idea if this is a reliable number, or what I really should be looking at.
Thank you for getting back to me so quickly!
Nathan
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What is the GVWR of the truck? (Found on the door sticker)
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03-19-2012, 12:17 PM
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#5
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Green Bay Wisconsin
Posts: 8
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I am not by my truck right now, but I will post the correct rating when I look it up.
Nathan
P.S. sorry for the previous post if you read that.
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03-19-2012, 12:59 PM
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#6
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Venice
Posts: 5,346
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Nathan, I'm not sure what options your truck has but if you find your truck HERE it will give you the exact weights from DODGE. Hope this helps, Hank
__________________
Hank & Lynn
2007 Cougar 290RKS, E-Z Flex, 16" XPS RIBs ( SOLD .. Gonna miss her ... looking for new 5r)
2004.5 Dodge 2500 QC, LB, 5.9HO, WestTach gauges, Ride-Rite
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03-19-2012, 01:00 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: SoCal
Posts: 1,739
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I always refer to Trailer Life’s Towing Guide:
http://www.trailerlife.com/wp-conten...Guide-2006.pdf
It also depends on your cab (standard, club, crew) and axle ratio.
__________________
-Scott, DW, DG, DB, and DD
2011 Passport 2590BH
2009 Ford F150 SuperCrew F X4 5.4L w/Max Tow
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03-19-2012, 01:23 PM
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#8
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Green Bay Wisconsin
Posts: 8
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Attached is an image of what dodge says the ratings are. Trailer life shows: Dakota QC 4WD 4.7L V-8 5,650a5,c (automatic, 5 speed, 3:55).
So with these two places saying 5,650, is this too close? Advice?
Nathan
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03-19-2012, 01:32 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Simi Valley, CA
Posts: 122
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Quote:
Originally Posted by golfnate07
Attached is an image of what dodge says the ratings are. Trailer life shows: Dakota QC 4WD 4.7L V-8 5,650a5,c (automatic, 5 speed, 3:55).
So with these two places saying 5,650, is this too close? Advice?
Nathan
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If your trailers GVWR is 5950, and your truck is only rated to tow 5650....Its not too close its too much....
(Not to mention that in most states if you get pulled over, you can be sited for being over weight) Ignore this, it was said by another member that is not correct.
Me personally, I wouldn't even consider it.
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03-19-2012, 01:59 PM
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#10
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Permanent User Ban
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Bartlesville, Oklahoma
Posts: 1,124
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jorme
If your trailers GVWR is 5950, and your truck is only rated to tow 5650....Its not too close its too much....Not to mention that in most states if you get pulled over, you can be sited for being over weight. Me personally, I wouldn't even consider it.
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This is not correct.
The "jist" of the laws are you can haul on any axle, the lesser of: a) tire weight rating stamped on the sidwall b) GAWR c) 20,000 lbs single axle or 34,000 lbs tandem. Unless you have a large 5th wheel and are towing with a single rear wheel truck, you generally cannot come close to breaking those restrictions. This is why recreational towers are basically ignored.
The tow rating (or manufacturer's GCWR) is nothing more than a rating/recommendation. Something put together to give average Joe, average performance, under average conditions, while keeping loss/warranty claims to a minimum.
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03-19-2012, 02:02 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Simi Valley, CA
Posts: 122
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SAD
This is not correct.
The "jist" of the laws are you can haul on any axle, the lesser of: a) tire weight rating stamped on the sidwall b) GAWR c) 20,000 lbs single axle or 34,000 lbs tandem. Unless you have a large 5th wheel and are towing with a single rear wheel truck, you generally cannot come close to breaking those restrictions. This is why recreational towers are basically ignored.
The tow rating (or manufacturer's GCWR) is nothing more than a rating/recommendation. Something put together to give average Joe, average performance, under average conditions, while keeping loss/warranty claims to a minimum.
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I stand corrected.....
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03-19-2012, 02:05 PM
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#12
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Permanent User Ban
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Bartlesville, Oklahoma
Posts: 1,124
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jorme
I stand corrected.....
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I should also point out that I don't advocate towing big trailers with undersized trucks... I just like to clarify because legality isn't an issue... Most of the time common sense should dictate.
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03-19-2012, 02:26 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: SoCal
Posts: 1,739
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Dry weight of the trailer is 3739. You’re not over your truck’s capacity unless you fully load your trailer. So I guess I’m disagreeing with Jorme.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jorme
If your trailers GVWR is 5950, and your truck is only rated to tow 5650....Its not too close its too much....
(Not to mention that in most states if you get pulled over, you can be sited for being over weight) Ignore this, it was said by another member that is not correct.
Me personally, I wouldn't even consider it.
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__________________
-Scott, DW, DG, DB, and DD
2011 Passport 2590BH
2009 Ford F150 SuperCrew F X4 5.4L w/Max Tow
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03-19-2012, 02:41 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: wv
Posts: 504
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As always this topic is clear as mudd
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2002 Chevy Avalanche 5.3 k&n cold air intake
2011 keystone hideout 26b
New tv 2005 dodge lb ctd quad cab
New TT 2014 j@%$O 32BHDS
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03-19-2012, 02:47 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Simi Valley, CA
Posts: 122
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sdayman
Dry weight of the trailer is 3739. You’re not over your truck’s capacity unless you fully load your trailer. So I guess I’m disagreeing with Jorme.
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The ability to max it out or overload it is there.
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03-19-2012, 03:11 PM
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#16
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Green Bay Wisconsin
Posts: 8
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While the possibility is there to overload it, how much would I really need to pack that could add up to almost 2000 lbs? I mean I know I will have full propane tanks, but we are planning on full hookup sites, so empty tanks should help a bit. I hope I am not thinking too far out there. Its such a nice camper.
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03-19-2012, 03:51 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Herndon, VA
Posts: 394
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Over GCVW
It is true that you probably will not be cited for being overweight, HOWEVER, if you get in an accident and the adjuster runs the numbers, you insurance company may leave you holding the bag.
This would not be a happy situation. Most any engine out there can pull the trailer but stopping the load is an altogether different matter.
IMHO ( my views may not reflect management!)
John
__________________
2006 Dodge Cummins 3500 Mega cab, dually
2011Cougar 318SAB
Sidewinder hitch
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03-19-2012, 03:58 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Simi Valley, CA
Posts: 122
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Quote:
Originally Posted by golfnate07
While the possibility is there to overload it, how much would I really need to pack that could add up to almost 2000 lbs? I mean I know I will have full propane tanks, but we are planning on full hookup sites, so empty tanks should help a bit. I hope I am not thinking too far out there. Its such a nice camper.
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2000lbs adds up in a hurry....If you are strictly using full hookup sites then sure, empty tanks take alot of weight off.....but you have to think about everything you put in a trailer....dishes, games, clothes, etc, etc, etc. Once all that is in, it doesnt leave much if you decide that you want to hit a dry spot for a weekend and need, generator, full tank of water, and other things. I'm just saying, that "if" you were to load the trailer full, then the opportunity for being maxed out is there. For me personally, I have always gone bigger is better on the tow vehicle. Towing for 20+ years and luckily have never had to test the trucks capabilities of avoiding major catastrophe.
I do want to add 1 thing.....In the end, its really up to you as to what you feel comfortable with.
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04-01-2012, 06:20 AM
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#19
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Vermont
Posts: 11
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You should be fine. The Passport your looking at has a max loaded weight of 5950. You truck is at 7000. depending on how many people you have in your truck you should be ok. The Passport says it can carry 2000 lbs, thats a lot of weight.
That being said does your truck have the tow package from the factory? Trans cooler? etc.
I have a Grand Cherokee with the tow package. 5.7 hemi. My Jeep is rated for 7500lbs. I tow a Outback 250rs with absolutely no problem.
Go for it and have fun.
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04-01-2012, 01:08 PM
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#20
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Amherst Junction, WI
Posts: 34
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We drive the exact same truck you do, a 2006 Dodge Dakota 4x4 with a V-8, and we pull a Passport 189 ml -- a 19-foot trailer with a dry weight of just over 3,300 lbs (just a bit smaller and lighter than the 195BB, I believe).
We have been extremely happy with the combination and have had no problems. Just returned from a long trip from Central Wisconsin to the Florida Keys and back (about 4,000 miles) and the Dodge Dakota and Passport both performed very well.
steve e-boe
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