Hitch weight rating

[John and Carol]

We are looking for a new tow vehicle (Chevrolet) this year so we can get a new Monty in 2009. Where do we find specs on hitch weight ratings? We can find towing weight ratings in the Trailer Life Towing Guide. But we can't find anything about hitch weight on the web.

[RVWheels]

Have you checked the Trailer Life site? I know that each year they have all that info published in one of their issues. I'd think they'd have it available on the web.

RVWheels

[sreigle]

Payload is the number you want to know. That is how much weight can be put in the bed and stay within the rating. You will need to deduct the weight of the hitch and any gear you load into the rig. Most mfrs allow either 150 or 200 pounds for people so you only need to deduct the amount you and your passengers are over that weight. I think Ford allows for two 150 lb people if I remember correctly (don't take my statement for gospel.)

Each manufacturer, I think, publishes a payload number in their brochures. Check the mfr's towing guide. The dealer should have this for you. The problem with that number, though, is it if for a base truck with no options. The actual number for a particular truck is on the door pillar, the one with tire information on it. It's in the smaller print so look closely.

[MacDR50]

Ford, GM and Dodge all have the necssary iformation on their respective trucks on their web sites. It sometimes is difficult to locate but it is all there. With respect to hitch ratings, I have researched just about every hitch out there and read pages of comments on forums and in magazines. I have decided to go for a 20% safety margin. A 15,000 lb trailer would therefore have a 18k hitch. I priced the difference for Reese and I can get the higher rated (18k)hitch for $82.00 more. A 20k hitch from the same retailer was an $232.00 over the 16k one. The max Pin weights for each were 4,000, 4,500 and 5,000.

[John and Carol]

We thank each of you for your reply and information. We've obtained the information we need from a Chev. dealership near us. Thanks again for taking the time to respond to our question.

[bncinwv]

Our Montana dealer has the weight capacities, payloads and towing specs for each of the big three posted on an extensive chart in plain view for consultation. I would hope that any reputable dealer would post the same if only for customer curiosity. That way the salesman's statement "you can pull anything on the lot with that beast" can be proven!!
Bingo