TV makers add to the confusion.

[Wrenchtraveller]

So many people are having trouble understanding tow ratings and no wonder with the way the TV makers print up their brochures and educate their salesmen. I know people who bought Ford F150s to pull huge trailers because the Ford salesman said it would do the job.

The Ford 05 Fifth Wheel selector chart shows F250/350 weigh ratings to be the same on the chart. Then in very small footnotes at the bottom of the chart, they explain that the Pin weight should be 15-25% of the loaded trailer weight, the TV should have the ability to handle the pin weight, passengers, and any other cargo which are all payload.

Then they say in tiny print, that your pin weight should not cause you to exceed your GVWR or your Gross Axle Weight Rating.

This is important information and to have it in very small print as a footnote sure confuses a lot of truck buyers.

[Cat320]

I think Chevy is just as bad if not worse. In their fine print is says all the standard stuff about the percentage of 5er weight on the pin, don't exceed the ratings, etc, and also that the 2500HD's max pw is 3000. Fine...if you put 3000 on a D/A, you are already over GVWR since the D/A combo weighs 700. However, you can put 3000 on a 6 L gasser, and be within GVWR...except the GCWR is only 16000 so you can't haul anything.

That's why it takes some serious research before buying one of these thing. And the absolute last resouce, IMHO, would be the salesman.