finding payload an tow capacity for my new pleasureway RV van which is much heavier than the cargo it was built from.
2004 Chevrolet Express Cargo 3500 - Specs & Features

Towing & Hauling
Max Towing Capacity 10,000 lbs.

Max Payload Capacity 4,130 lbs.

definitions:

Curb Weight – How much a vehicle weighs without passengers or cargo.

GVWR – Stands for Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, and it’s the maximum weight that a vehicle can reach including passengers, cargo, gasoline, fluids.

Payload – How much weight in cargo and/or passengers a vehicle can carry. You subtract GVWR – Curb Weight = Payload.


Cargo van Curb weight 5,470 lbs. (I think cargos are heaveir than this #)

Pleasureway curb weight is 8,050LBs I weighted at a large scale



Gross weight of cargo van is 9,600 lbs.

So payload is 1,550LBs minus weight of drivers 200LBs so payload is only 1,350LBs

cargo curb weight 5,470 pleasureway curb weight 8,050 so I subtract 2,530 from 10,000 =7,470LB
of tow capacity

my Pleasureway owners manuel lacks any capacitys. I have read on the net that a van this size will tow 3500LBs.

based my calculations from these weights here https://www.edmunds.com/chevrolet/ex...eatures-specs/

In conclusion I think my calculations of payload are reasonable however my tow capacity seams exaggerated by twice real world.plus I tow in a hilly area hills like 260' in elevation from 50' above sea level so decently steep hills not mountains but steep.RV on it's own definitely down shifts to 3rd on majority of these hills.

so are my calculations close to reality?
I'd like to haul a occasional heavey payload. bc of hills mite have to add some torque to the LQ4 6.0 still deciding what route.
thanks for advice

 

Without even towing a trailer you are at max payload on the van once you add occupants and belongings. The question here is.. how much can you tow with a maxed out van? We need to know what the GCVWR is for the van...according to google 15,000 lbs. 15000-9600 = 5400 lbs can be towed. At those numbers the van is totally maxed out. Better have good trailer brakes and van brakes. Transmission is going to work hard. These vans are good runners, but I would not want to be pushing it that much on a routine basis.