Keystone Raptor axles/tires rating
Hello, sorry for such a long post. But I have some serious concerns about trailer axle and tire weight ratings. I have a 2011 Keystone Raptor 300mp. Recently while on only the 2nd trip with this, I...
Forum Discussion
GVWR and GAWR are two totally different numbers. The FMVSS 571 does not mandate the GAWR and GVWR be the same thing.
The GVWR is the maximum weight that the Chassis of said vehicle is allowed. This includes the Pin/Tongue Weight, Axle Weight, and/or If resting on the front jacks those weights as well.
Because the GVWR (Also referred to as GTWR being that we are referring to a trailer) is a shared weight with the Tow Vehicle and the Trailer Axles it can/will differ from the GAWR.
Most Triple axle RV such as Toy Haulers have a Chassis rated for 18,000lb, which is why they have a GVWR of 18k. Being that they also use 6k axles the GAWR also is a 18k GAWR. This is very common for trailers to have matching GAWR and GVWR.
Toy Haulers are allowed to go up to 25% over the GAWR to identify what the GVWR is. Now that is not a governed number but a sort of "rule of thumb" As that weight will be transfered to the TV through the Pin.
I just sold a 35ft gooseneck that carried a 25,900 GVWR and only had (2) 12k axles under it.
But like I said, there is no mandate that forces the GAWR to match the GVWR. IF that was true you would see the Logistics/Trucking Companies go on strike in the US.
Matter of fact my GVWR and GAWR are both 14,000 on my trailer. Which is incorrect. Heartland is sending me a new Sticker that reflects the correct GVWR of 16,000.
Look at Landmark trailers, they all have (2) 7klb axles and carry a 16,250 GVWR
Yes, All of these trailers handle their portion of the GVWR. IT is utterly impossible to apply 100% of the GVWR to the trailer axles. There is always going to be shared weight. It will either be through the Hitch if connected to a TV or on the Jacks if unhitched from a TV. It is up to you to load a trailer properly in order to meet the weight requirements over the axle and over the hitch for even weight distribution.
Now some trailers manufacturers purposely match the GVWR and GAWR because of weight distribution and payload can very a large amount. Such as a Cattle trailer (Stock Trailer). These are trailers that tend to be overloaded. Carrying a matched GVWR/GAWR will help prevent that
Here is a simple website to help understand the difference between GVWR and GAWR
GVWR definition
The GVWR is the maximum weight that the Chassis of said vehicle is allowed. This includes the Pin/Tongue Weight, Axle Weight, and/or If resting on the front jacks those weights as well.
Because the GVWR (Also referred to as GTWR being that we are referring to a trailer) is a shared weight with the Tow Vehicle and the Trailer Axles it can/will differ from the GAWR.
Most Triple axle RV such as Toy Haulers have a Chassis rated for 18,000lb, which is why they have a GVWR of 18k. Being that they also use 6k axles the GAWR also is a 18k GAWR. This is very common for trailers to have matching GAWR and GVWR.
Toy Haulers are allowed to go up to 25% over the GAWR to identify what the GVWR is. Now that is not a governed number but a sort of "rule of thumb" As that weight will be transfered to the TV through the Pin.
I just sold a 35ft gooseneck that carried a 25,900 GVWR and only had (2) 12k axles under it.
But like I said, there is no mandate that forces the GAWR to match the GVWR. IF that was true you would see the Logistics/Trucking Companies go on strike in the US.
Matter of fact my GVWR and GAWR are both 14,000 on my trailer. Which is incorrect. Heartland is sending me a new Sticker that reflects the correct GVWR of 16,000.
Look at Landmark trailers, they all have (2) 7klb axles and carry a 16,250 GVWR
Yes, All of these trailers handle their portion of the GVWR. IT is utterly impossible to apply 100% of the GVWR to the trailer axles. There is always going to be shared weight. It will either be through the Hitch if connected to a TV or on the Jacks if unhitched from a TV. It is up to you to load a trailer properly in order to meet the weight requirements over the axle and over the hitch for even weight distribution.
Now some trailers manufacturers purposely match the GVWR and GAWR because of weight distribution and payload can very a large amount. Such as a Cattle trailer (Stock Trailer). These are trailers that tend to be overloaded. Carrying a matched GVWR/GAWR will help prevent that
Here is a simple website to help understand the difference between GVWR and GAWR
GVWR definition
