{"product_id":"will-it-tow-truck-camper-weight-calculator","title":"Will It Tow? Truck and Camper Weight Calculator: Payload, Tow Rating and CAT Scale","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe dealer will tell you your truck tows 9,000 lb. He won't bring up payload, and payload is the one that runs out first.\u003c\/strong\u003e The tongue weight, the family, the dog and the cooler all ride on the truck, and most trucks run out of payload long before they get anywhere near the tow rating.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you're shopping for a camper right now, you know how this goes:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEvery listing shows dry weight.\u003c\/strong\u003e Nobody camps dry.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe brochure hitch weight is dry too,\u003c\/strong\u003e and it goes up the minute you load the thing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe salesman says \"you can tow it, no problem.\"\u003c\/strong\u003e He's not the one towing it home.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe free calculators check one camper at a time\u003c\/strong\u003e and forget about the kids, the hitch and the firewood.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAnd the CAT scale\u003c\/strong\u003e is somebody yelling at you through a scratchy speaker you can't understand.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe first time I ran the numbers on my own rig, my CAT ticket showed the truck's rear axle carrying 4,280 lb. The door sticker says it's rated for 4,300. That's when I learned to watch my payload. Now the extra junk rides in the camper, spread out and close to the axles, and the truck bed stays light. It's a lot like getting back into your stiff winter pants after a summer in gym shorts. Ask me how I know.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo I built a spreadsheet that does this math before you buy. You type your truck's numbers in once, from the door stickers and the owner's manual. Then up to 5 campers, from the sticker or the listing. It loads each one the way you'd actually camp (people, gear, water, the hitch) and tells you which ones tow, which ones don't, and what runs out first.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eIt can't tell you which floor plan your spouse is going to like. That part's on you.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCompare tab.\u003c\/strong\u003e Up to 5 campers side by side, loaded the way you camp, with a plain-English verdict for each one (\"Tows it, barely. 19 lb of payload left.\"), what runs out first, and a rank. It checks payload, tow rating, GCWR, your hitch receiver and the camper's own GVWR.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMy Truck and How I Camp tabs.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your door sticker numbers, tow rating, GCWR and hitch, plus everything you'd pack. Every box starts with a normal number, so you only change what you know.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDealer Sheet.\u003c\/strong\u003e Pick a camper and print one page with its numbers and 9 questions to ask the dealer. Take it to the lot.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCAT Scale tab.\u003c\/strong\u003e After you buy, weigh it three ways and type in the tickets. It gives you your real tongue weight, axle loads and payload left, and tells you whether your spring bars are set right.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHow to use a CAT scale.\u003c\/strong\u003e Step by step, plus what they're asking on the speaker box and what to say back. Or skip the speaker with the app.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWhere to Find It.\u003c\/strong\u003e Real photos of my truck's door stickers, my camper's stickers and my CAT ticket, with the numbers circled.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGlossary.\u003c\/strong\u003e GVWR, GAWR, GCWR, UVW, CCC and the rest, in plain English.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe boring stuff\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExcel file (.xlsx). Instant download after checkout. Nothing ships.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYou get a blank workbook. The pictures show my truck and camper plus 4 made-up campers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMade for Excel. Plain formulas, no macros.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAbout 10 minutes to set up, then a minute or two per camper.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTravel trailers, fifth wheels and bumper pull toy haulers, with a truck or an SUV.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTongue weight and loaded weight are estimates until you weigh. Your truck maker's numbers and a scale ticket are what count.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIt's a planning tool. Keep your owner's manual and your hitch instructions handy.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe formulas are locked so a stray click can't break anything. No password if you want to change something.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eQuestions or ideas? Email me at CreativeEntLLC@gmail.com\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n","brand":"Creative Enterprises LLC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67635511689532,"sku":"DIG-WILL-IT-TOW","price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0667\/9802\/7068\/files\/1-payload-runs-out-first_0585e0b1-a4ae-4a5b-a1dc-863a9f317dcc.jpg?v=1791340866","url":"https:\/\/creativeenterprisesllc.com\/products\/will-it-tow-truck-camper-weight-calculator","provider":"Creative Enterprises LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}