I want to take my DRZ400 motorcycle along in the bed of my truck while towing the TT, so I've been running through the weight numbers and would appreciate any input regarding whether or not my numbers are correct.

The truck, 2004 f150 super-cab (non heritage) 5.4, tow package, 3.73 gears, limited slip, PHP custom tow tune

Took the truck and trailer to a certified truck scale, then to my local dealer to measure the tongue weight…

Truck+trailer, trailer ready to camp, truck full of gas, no occupants =10,170 lbs (owners manual says max CGVWR is 14,500 lbs, 145 wheel base)

Truck full of gas no occupants=5540 lbs
Trailer tongue weight about 550 lbs

According the sticker on door of the truck, the GVWR is 7050 lbs

So….

7060 GVWR
-5540 truck weight
-550 trailer tongue weight
-320 for two occupants
-200 for firewood, BBQ, misc stuff

Leaves 450 lbs.

I figure the bike weighs 375 lbs wet,

Makes me 75 lbs under the max GVWR.

 

Go ahead!
I have pretty much the same setup and I put my DRZ in the front garage of the toyhauler or the truck bed..doesn't change anything.

DRZ are more in the 325lbs range (wet)

 

Close enough to be safe. A WD hitch would make for a more stable tow but it looks like it's not strictly necessary.

 

Yes, your right, the bike is probably more like 325lbs, and I do have a weight distribution with sway control so good to go on that one.

How do I figure out if I'm OK with rear GAWR? The door sticker says max is 3800lbs. I would think the weight distribution hitch would also add a monkey wrench to figuring this calculation out. OK, maybe I'm being overly cautious...

 

Hook everything up and load it up and go find a truck stop with a CAT scale. The weight slip will give you the exact weight on each axle (front, rear, and trailer). You can do the math from there.

Front axle should not exceed GAWR (front). Rear axle should not exceed GAWR (rear). Front + rear axle should not exceed GVWR. All 3 axles should not exceed GCWR.

 

I'm a bit over the rear GAWR rating with my setup..but the GVWR is under.

 

If you are over rear GAWR and have a WD hitch, try adjusting the hitch and/or moving the load in the truck farther forward or put some of it in the trailer. I'd also make sure you aren't exceeding the load rating of your tires at the pressure you are running.