Toyota Tundra with a 3-horse slant...?

[strider67]

Since I know we have quite a diverse Forum population, I was wondering if anyone pulls/has pulled the following:

We currently have a 2010 Toyota Tundra Crew Max, 2WD, 5.7l V8. We are looking at a Sooner 3-horse slant with the weekender package. Trailer: GVWR 14,857 LB.; GAWR Front 5,200LB and Back 5,200LB. It is pulled as a gooseneck.

I found these ratings in another thread for the Crew Max: GCWR 15,300 lb; TWR 9000 lb.

Here is where I need the help...what exactly do all of these numbers mean...?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Pawpaw]

Since I know we have quite a diverse Forum population, I was wondering if anyone pulls/has pulled the following:

We currently have a 2010 Toyota Tundra Crew Max, 2WD, 5.7l V8. We are looking at a Sooner 3-horse slant with the weekender package. Trailer: GVWR 14,857 LB.; GAWR Front 5,200LB and Back 5,200LB. It is pulled as a gooseneck.

I found these ratings in another thread for the Crew Max: GCWR 15,300 lb; TWR 9000 lb.

Here is where I need the help...what exactly do all of these numbers mean...?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Your trailer has a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 14,857 lbs. That means the combined weight of the trailer and it's contents is not supposed to exceed that legal maximum.

Your truck has a Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) of 15,300 lbs. This means the combined weight of your truck & contents (including fuel and any occupants) and the trailer & contents is not supposed to exceed that legal maximum.

This means that, even empty, your truck is not legally rated to pull that trailer when it's fully loaded. What this really means is that if you have a wreck and anyone figures out you were over the GCWR, you will be vulnerable to a lawsuit.

[tomtexan]

Your trailer has a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 14,857 lbs. That means the combined weight of the trailer and it's contents is not supposed to exceed that legal maximum.

Your truck has a Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) of 15,300 lbs. This means the combined weight of your truck & contents (including fuel and any occupants) and the trailer & contents is not supposed to exceed that legal maximum.

This means that, even empty, your truck is not legally rated to pull that trailer when it's fully loaded. What this really means is that if you have a wreck and anyone figures out you were over the GCWR, you will be vulnerable to a lawsuit.

[bubba84]

Its not about how much you can tow. Its about how much you can stop. Can you pull a GN with a 1/2 ton? Sure. Can you safely stop that much weight with 1/2 ton brakes? I wouldnt risk it.

Also, how fast are you gonna wear the truck out pulling that much weight?

[talltex]

The GCWR uses the "curb weights" , which includes the weight of fuel, fluids, rated cargo and full passenger occupancy. The TWR of 9,000 lb is the maximum weight of the loaded trailer it is rated to handle....in other words, the truck by itself, with 6 people and full fuel tank, weighs about 6,300 lbs, so subtract that weight from the total combined weight rating of 15,300lb and you get a maximum trailer weight of 9000lb. loaded.

[strider67]

The GCWR uses the "curb weights" , which includes the weight of fuel, fluids, rated cargo and full passenger occupancy. The TWR of 9,000 lb is the maximum weight of the loaded trailer it is rated to handle....in other words, the truck by itself, with 6 people and full fuel tank, weighs about 6,300 lbs, so subtract that weight from the total combined weight rating of 15,300lb and you get a maximum trailer weight of 9000lb. loaded.

Thanks for the info!

OK, so option #2...if a switch is made to look at a "Featherlite" 3-horse slant gooseneck (same size as Sooner but aluminum), and I can pull 9,000 lb, then I think I'm covered. I found this on a Horsetopia Forum and I quote:

"According to Featherlite's brochure (you can download it in Acrobat format here: http://www.featherlitemfg.com/brochures.cfm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ) The maximum axel weight of the 3 and 4 horse gooseneck model # 8541 is 5200 lbs - x2 for a max trailer weight (loaded) of 10,400 lbs.

Given that, I would imagine that 3,000 lbs wouldn't be too far off the mark for the trailer empty. Add 3 average sized horses (3 x 1200 lbs, or 3600lbs) and a few hunderd pounds for tack and feed and the whole rig not including the truck would be around 7,000 lbs.

You could call a dealer, I get the feeling that the actual wieght of any specific trailer would depend heavily on the amount and type of options you got on it."

If it is this simple, then that would leave me around 2,000 lb of my daughter's trophies to bring home, right? Thank you!

[Pawpaw]

It sounds like you've got it all worked out. Now you need a brake controller on your pickup to activate the electric brakes on the trailer.

[Carry-a-Kimber]

All you need to know.

[jimlongley]

It sounds like you've got it all worked out. Now you need a brake controller on your pickup to activate the electric brakes on the trailer.

And be prepared to experience some surprises when the brakes activate until you get them fine tuned.

I pulled a 26' travel trailer with a Jeep Grand Cherokee and wasn't warned about the sensitivity of the electronic braking system. It's real interesting when the trailer's brakes kick in before the tow and the whole thing tries to straighten out on a rain slick road.

[strider67]

It sounds like you've got it all worked out. Now you need a brake controller on your pickup to activate the electric brakes on the trailer.

Thanks Pawpaw, we'll get one for sure before we start pulling.

All you need to know.

That would be nice for sure, Kimber, but one of those will have to stay on the Christmas list for now...

I love this Forum...

[strider67]

And be prepared to experience some surprises when the brakes activate until you get them fine tuned.

Thanks for the tip, Jim, will do.

[talltex]

And be prepared to experience some surprises when the brakes activate until you get them fine tuned.

Thanks for the tip, Jim, will do.

Also, you'll quickly figure out that you have to allow greater margins for slowing down and stopping...even with good trailer brakes. It's just simple physics at work...the greater the mass (weight) the more energy it takes to get it moving AND to get it to stop moving. That's much more important when the weight involves live animals, because if you get in a situation where you have to lock it down, you run a good risk of injury to horses. That 2000lb trophy allowance is good too...grew up with two sisters that were top notch barrel racers and spent alot of time hauling them to rodeos on the weekends back in the 70's...the trophies stacked up quickly! good luck!

[The Annoyed Man]

It sounds like you've got it all worked out. Now you need a brake controller on your pickup to activate the electric brakes on the trailer.

And be prepared to experience some surprises when the brakes activate until you get them fine tuned.

I pulled a 26' travel trailer with a Jeep Grand Cherokee and wasn't warned about the sensitivity of the electronic braking system. It's real interesting when the trailer's brakes kick in before the tow and the whole thing tries to straighten out on a rain slick road.

I still have an electronic brake controller on my Pathfinder and haven't used it in a long time, but it does take some getting used to.

[talltex]

Thanks for the info!

OK, so option #2...if a switch is made to look at a "Featherlite" 3-horse slant gooseneck (same size as Sooner but aluminum), and I can pull 9,000 lb, then I think I'm covered. I found this on a Horsetopia Forum and I quote:

"Given that, I would imagine that 3,000 lbs wouldn't be too far off the mark for the trailer empty. Add 3 average sized horses (3 x 1200 lbs, or 3600lbs) and a few hunderd pounds for tack and feed and the whole rig not including the truck would be around 7,000 lbs.

If it is this simple, then that would leave me around 2,000 lb of my daughter's trophies to bring home, right? Thank you!

Just to be sure I looked up the trailer to check on the weight, because 3000lb sounded light even for aluminum, given the size. Their brochure lists the trailer weight for the #8541 from 4600 to 5400 lb depending on options such as width and height and doors, so you should still be within the weight rating (which are conservative), but might have to unload the trophies every every month or two

[jimlongley]

It sounds like you've got it all worked out. Now you need a brake controller on your pickup to activate the electric brakes on the trailer.

And be prepared to experience some surprises when the brakes activate until you get them fine tuned.

I pulled a 26' travel trailer with a Jeep Grand Cherokee and wasn't warned about the sensitivity of the electronic braking system. It's real interesting when the trailer's brakes kick in before the tow and the whole thing tries to straighten out on a rain slick road.

I still have an electronic brake controller on my Pathfinder and haven't used it in a long time, but it does take some getting used to.

And then there was the time I bumped the brake controller and activated the inertial weight and the trailer's tires chirped about 6 times, THAT was a surprise at 65 in downtown OKC trying to merge into traffic.