The weight of trailers varies, but the GVWR always includes the trailer's weight.
When I said that a 10 ton trailer weighs 6,000 pounds, that's an approximate. As you go up in capacity they have to add more metal so that's more weight.
1 10 ton trailer is 20,000 pounds, so if we subtract the guesstimated 6,000 pounds that leaves 14,000 for equipment.
(Note: This weight stuff is actually more complex because you have to consider axle capacities and how much weight the trailer off-loads onto the tow vehicle; usually 10%-ish for bumper pull and 20-25% for GN/5th-wheel)
You've got a 19,000 pound load to carry, plus the weight of the trailer, which of course is likely to be more than 6,000 pounds, but it's NOT likely to be less. That's 25,000 pounds or 12.5 tons.
If you got a 13 ton trailer you'd likely be right at the trailer's capacity, if not over.
If you got a 15 ton or 30,000 pound trailer, then subtracted 19,000 pounds that would leave 11,000. I don't know what it would weigh, but you would most likely have at least a ton, if not two, as excess capacity for a safety margin. That's assuming a weight of 7,000-9,000 pounds.
On my prior post I was kind of casual with the numbers because I wanted them to come out evenly and make the concept easy to see.
If I can rephrase a bit...
I think it's always wise to use your equipment BELOW it's maximum capacity, not right at the edge. Many people agree with that notion, although of course some don't.
I'm suggesting that you buy the capacity you NEED, with a little extra for a safety/wear margin, but that beyond that point it becomes wise to ask what the extra capacity you are paying for will do for you. For some folks in your situation it's smart to go to a 20T trailer. For others a 15T. For you...? That depends on what you need now and in the future, but it SOUNDS like you don't need a 20T.
I apologize if I have done a poor job of communicating what I was thinking.
