Does Payload (lbs) affect tow capacity

ticklemenono

New member
I have about 20 weeks of hauling 35C batteries in my future. A total of roughly 750 batteries at 25lbs each all over the great state of Arkansas. My question is, if I load my trailer to axle capacity will I still be able to use the payload (lbs) of my LR4? Or are these two entangled? Also, if anyone can speak to gas performance of full payload that would be of help as well. Thanks in advance!
 

OCD Overland

Explorer
It's all related. GCWR less the trailer's weight less the LR4's curb weight will give you the remaining payload capacity. Of course, you'll have to compare that to the normal payload capacity (GVWR minus curb weight) and use the lesser of the two.
 
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kmlacroix

Explorer
Also the max tongue weight allowed for the tow vehicle and max axle load for the tow vehicle. Fuel economy will suffer, how much depends on driving style, grade, city vs highway, speed. If you load near the limits of trailer and tow vehicle handling will also suffer, a lot.
 

haven

Expedition Leader
The LR4 is not the best choice for a month of towing heavy trailers. Could you rent a "real" truck, and make fewer trips?
 

Jwestpro

Explorer
I have about 20 weeks of hauling 35C batteries in my future. A total of roughly 750 batteries at 25lbs each all over the great state of Arkansas. My question is, if I load my trailer to axle capacity will I still be able to use the payload (lbs) of my LR4? Or are these two entangled? Also, if anyone can speak to gas performance of full payload that would be of help as well. Thanks in advance!

Why do you make other people do the math? ;) It's easier to help if you present all the specifics.

Anyway, 750 x 25 lbs batteries only weighs 3200 lbs. What does your trailer weigh and is it a tandem? I wouldn't use a single unless it was a light open flat bed. Still I'd prefer a tandem with 7000 lb gross weight and a 2-5/16 ball. A brake controller is important for that weight level.

To answer the question about cargo, you have to be very mindful of what is on the vehicle, including the hitch. You cannot max out the cargo load if also near the limits of the trailer and tongue weights.

The LR4 will do it just fine. It's engine, transmission and brakes are better than my lr3 and it does more than that without too much drama unless I'm trying to pass slower vehicles.

The other thing is you have to be clear about your lr4 base weight if there are any added parts or gear. Most people with fully kitted vehicles are already at the GVWR before towing anything at all so tongue weight and/or cargo are more critical.

Gas MPG? That's funny. It will suck. 13 on my last trip towing 250 miles a tandem 6x12 low rider not loaded too crazy. It's the wind that matters the most on the highway.
 

Jwestpro

Explorer
The LR4 is not the best choice for a month of towing heavy trailers. Could you rent a "real" truck, and make fewer trips?

True but I wouldn't consider the 3200 lbs and a tandem trailer necessarily "heavy". If the trailer is already owned or specified for other reasons, then renting a truck for "20 weeks!" is only an added expense. Plus, this sounds a lot more like something that actually requires all the trips, not simply moving a load of X to a location.
 

calicamper

Expedition Leader
Just watch every lb of gear you pack and given your dealing with a short wheel base vehicle keep in mind its not going to be overly stable at highway speeds with it near max load capacity. Drive slower. What are you doing anyway replacing back up power supplies in cell towers? Geeze thats allot of battery to be hauling.

Make sure your tires have high enough load ratings also nothing worse than having tire issues when your packed heavy.
 

Jwestpro

Explorer
Make sure your tires have high enough load ratings also nothing worse than having tire issues when your packed heavy.

Yeah, that too. Forgot to mention it. When I'm doing summer highway towing I run my set of Michelin M/S2 E load at 52 psi front and 54-56 in the rear. Keep in mind my vehicle base weight is over 7000 lbs usually so I run 50-52 all the time otherwise.
 

Jwestpro

Explorer
I must be missing something here. Wouldn't this be 18,750 lbs.?

Jason

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

No, you're just not using my fingers and then also not realizing the number was wrong. My calculator said 3.175 million so I obviously keyed it wrong ;)

Yeah, nearly 19,000 lbs is a different, and VERY simple discussion. Absolutely not for towing with the LR-anything! That would be 3x the vehicle rating on a trailer.

Actually, I'm thoroughly annoyed now. Obviously the 750 of them are not being towed all at once or all the time.

More info is needed or this is a useless thread.
 

ticklemenono

New member
Ok, I might not have been clear. I am only running a trailer at 3000lbs at a time. My question is when the trailer is attached. How can I determine the interior payload remaining or available after the trailer is attached?
 

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