Towing Issues: Towing, tongue weight, camping supplies

Question
I read the answer to a question about how to figure towing capacity regarding GVW...however, do you have to include the additional "rider" weight in the vehicle as a factor...ie pulling a camper with a van, two adults, 2 kids and miscellaneous camping supplies?

Answer
Tedd,

I'm not sure to which question you are referring.

However, everything that is in the van is included in the van's GVW.  The tongue weight of the trailer is also included in the van's GVW calculation.  

Anything loaded in the trailer is part of the trailer GVW calculation.  The tongue weight of the trailer is ALSO part of the trailer GVW.  

The tongue weight is added to both GVW calculations, but only once in a GCVW (Gross Combined Vehicle Weight) calculation.  

So, yes, you cannot go over your GVWR of the van after you add in the tongue weight, fuel, gear, people, pets and anything else I might have forgotten.  (Assuming this is all carried in the van).

Regards,
Shayne Peterson
MobileHitch
http://www.mobilehitch.ca/