GVWR, does it really matter

taddyport wrote:
I may be missing something but I'm not 100% sure what the big deal is with the GVWR on a trailer. I understand it's concept but if I have a trailer with a dry weight of 10000 lbs and a GVWR of 15000 lbs but I only put in 500 lbs of "stuff" I'm only at 10500 lbs. I know that I have to stay under it. I know that if I reach that max then I really have to make sure that my GCWR is within limits and I also know that the more the GVW of the 5'er the more weight I have on my rear axle of the TV but if I'm way below the GVWR why do I need to be concerned with that number.

what am I missing ?

thanks in advance

Jon

That is fine if you can fully load up and weigh the combo before you spend money.

Many people that go by vehicle max towing and trailer dry weight find out later they are over. Sometimes way over. Dry weight comes in 500 to 1000+ due to options. Payload is reduced by people and provisions in the truck. Then reduced again due to optional equipment. That 500 pounds of expected weight in the trailer seems to grow with time. Dry pin weight doubles in the process of it all. Don't forget the weight of the hitch, batteries and propane.

Otherwise yes the actual scale weight is what matters. Then compare actual weight to the multiple independent weight ratings including GFAWR, GRAWR, GVWR, GCWR.