Forum Discussion

pa_bell's avatar
pa_bell
Explorer
Jan 13, 2014

How much weight over "shipping weight"

We are about to be first time toy hauler owners. I want to be within my truck's weight limits of course when we buy. It will be the wife, myself and 2 dogs. How many pounds would be a good average to go from dry shipping weight to wet / ready to hit the road. Nearly all nights will be at campgrounds, no need for a 1/2 ton of water.

We will be hauling a Goldwing so need for a fuel station.

8 Replies

  • Thanks for the answers. It will help to size of the TT TH that I would like to get.
  • Mine was 3,000 over "dry weight" leaving only about 1,000 pounds of carrying capacity to stay under sticker. Fully loaded I was 5,000 pounds over trailer GVWR.
  • joebedford wrote:
    We're at GVWR WITHOUT water or waste


    Yup, me also.
  • pa bell wrote:
    We are about to be first time toy hauler owners. I want to be within my truck's weight limits of course when we buy. It will be the wife, myself and 2 dogs. How many pounds would be a good average to go from dry shipping weight to wet / ready to hit the road. Nearly all nights will be at campgrounds, no need for a 1/2 ton of water.

    We will be hauling a Goldwing so need for a fuel station.


    The required Yellow sticker weight on the trailer includes EVERYTHING you see on, or in the trailer.
    You then add the weight of your toys, and what you need to use them.

    After that. Only you can know how you load the trailer. Most recreational RVers, add 600 to 1000lb of stuff, (chairs, clothes, grill, food, and such). Others that are married to Lucy, and collect big rocks add as much as 2000lbs.
  • Keep in mind the brochure weight does not include options. The as shipped weight including options like 2nd A/C etc. will be 500-700lbs more than brochure weight.
    As a rule of thumb full GVW of is typically used. If you do not load up to full GVW you will have some margin for error/safety however you will be surprised how close you come to full GVW.
    Of course you will have to weigh your combo once you get it loaded for your first trip. A trip to the scale is the only way to truly know where you stand
  • As mentioned above - doing the math at GVWR is best.

    In general most folks can

    Expect a minimum of 750 lbs of cargo weight in the truck for people, animals, fuel and stuff.

    Expect a minimum of 1,750 lbs of living stuff in the trailer (propane, propane tanks, batteries, spare tire are post sticker weight).

    Figure the weight of your toys + 25%.
  • Base everything on the worst case scenario. In other words use the trailers GVWR. Even if you never load it that far, at least you will know you are safe up to that number