Currently getting ready to move and I have a strange question. Looking at purchasing a small 1-2 person travel trailer as they're pretty cheap where I am now. Current one I'm looking at is an 25' 2014 Puma travel trailer my neighbor is selling as he upgraded to a larger one. My strange question is this, can I load some of the stuff I'm moving into the trailer (>1500 lbs probably far less, but haven't load planned yet) and haul it without causing damage to the floor or overloading the trailer? When I tried to see how the underfloor was set up, there really isn't any way to see it due to the way the storage spaces are set up. Probably the only things that are going into it is storage totes with clothes, tv's, computer, some books, and maybe a grill. The real heavy stuff is going in either by mover or being loaded in a 16' utility trailer for the 3-4 day trip. Vehicle that will be pulling it is a 2015 Suburban V8 with towing package. Reason why I'm asking is if we have the TT, then I have less to worry about planning nightly stops, reservations, etc...

You should be fine with that just don't load it all in one end . Spread out the weight through out the length of the tt. Do you know the model of the tt?

sure you can up to the load capacity of the trailer and the payload capacity of the truck which will include the tongue weight of the traileryou will run out of payload on the truck first

cougar28 wrote:You should be fine with that just don't load it all in one end . Spread out the weight through out the length of the tt. Do you know the model of the tt?Not sure which model it is (I wrote down the manufacturer but not the model, stupid me..) and the length. What I had payed more attention to was that it had propane storage, a generator with tank, and enough space that my better half and I didn't trip over each other (that makes for a long trip.) I was thinking of putting most of the items spread out, then stack them up so we could move around at night. In the morning, break it down and spread the weight out again. I just wasn't too sure on how the flooring was built/secured and if it can take the stress of the weight while on the road. I know some of the road we'll have to travel will be bumpy. I appreciate the quick reply. I've handled rv's in the past, mainly rentals, but using a tt to help move was beyond my experience.

stevemorris wrote:sure you can up to the load capacity of the trailer and the payload capacity of the truck which will include the tongue weight of the traileryou will run out of payload on the truck firstThis is where I'm going to share my ignorance as the only things I've really towed are small 16-18' boats. I know I'm going to have to figure out the trailer weight, but how do I estimate tongue weight and capacity weight without overloading. The truck, on paper, is rated for 8300 / 3765 according to the manual. Is there an equation I can use once I find out the empty trailer weight?

If you have a place close to weigh the trailer, it is easy to find max load capacity. There will be a sticker on trailer driver side front corner, listing the trailers max load (GVWR). If you weigh it empty, and for example it weighs 5K, and the GVWR is 7K, you could load 2K of additional wt. Now depending how you load, the tongue wt should be 10-15 percent of the 7K, let's say 13 percent, so 910 lbs.Jerry

Pretty new but need advice | Good Sam Community

19 Replies

cougar28
Explorer
Sep 29, 2019
Also I would find out the last time the wheel bearing has been serviced and the age of the tires.
cavie
Explorer
Sep 29, 2019
1st thing you need to do is be sure your Suburban is capable of pulling your trailer. Get a load distribution hitch. Be sure your under the GVW of the Suburban. Include all that stuff you intend to load into the trailer including you and your wife and kids and animals.
Juiced2010
Explorer
Sep 29, 2019
MFL wrote:
If you have a place close to weigh the trailer, it is easy to find max load capacity. There will be a sticker on trailer driver side front corner, listing the trailers max load (GVWR). If you weigh it empty, and for example it weighs 5K, and the GVWR is 7K, you could load 2K of additional wt. Now depending how you load, the tongue wt should be 10-15 percent of the 7K, let's say 13 percent, so 910 lbs.

Jerry

Understood and ty. Going to have to wait till my neighbor returns tonight to find out more information on the trailer itself.
wing_zealot
Explorer
Sep 29, 2019
Juiced2010 wrote:
stevemorris wrote:
sure you can up to the load capacity of the trailer and the payload capacity of the truck which will include the tongue weight of the trailer
you will run out of payload on the truck first

This is where I'm going to share my ignorance as the only things I've really towed are small 16-18' boats. I know I'm going to have to figure out the trailer weight, but how do I estimate tongue weight and capacity weight without overloading. The truck, on paper, is rated for 8300 / 3765 according to the manual. Is there an equation I can use once I find out the empty trailer weight?
Clicky
MFL
Nomad II
Sep 29, 2019
If you have a place close to weigh the trailer, it is easy to find max load capacity. There will be a sticker on trailer driver side front corner, listing the trailers max load (GVWR). If you weigh it empty, and for example it weighs 5K, and the GVWR is 7K, you could load 2K of additional wt. Now depending how you load, the tongue wt should be 10-15 percent of the 7K, let's say 13 percent, so 910 lbs.

Jerry
Juiced2010
Explorer
Sep 29, 2019
stevemorris wrote:
sure you can up to the load capacity of the trailer and the payload capacity of the truck which will include the tongue weight of the trailer
you will run out of payload on the truck first

This is where I'm going to share my ignorance as the only things I've really towed are small 16-18' boats. I know I'm going to have to figure out the trailer weight, but how do I estimate tongue weight and capacity weight without overloading. The truck, on paper, is rated for 8300 / 3765 according to the manual. Is there an equation I can use once I find out the empty trailer weight?
Juiced2010
Explorer
Sep 29, 2019
cougar28 wrote:
You should be fine with that just don't load it all in one end . Spread out the weight through out the length of the tt. Do you know the model of the tt?

Not sure which model it is (I wrote down the manufacturer but not the model, stupid me..) and the length. What I had payed more attention to was that it had propane storage, a generator with tank, and enough space that my better half and I didn't trip over each other (that makes for a long trip.) I was thinking of putting most of the items spread out, then stack them up so we could move around at night. In the morning, break it down and spread the weight out again. I just wasn't too sure on how the flooring was built/secured and if it can take the stress of the weight while on the road. I know some of the road we'll have to travel will be bumpy.

I appreciate the quick reply. I've handled rv's in the past, mainly rentals, but using a tt to help move was beyond my experience.
stevemorris
Explorer
Sep 29, 2019
sure you can up to the load capacity of the trailer and the payload capacity of the truck which will include the tongue weight of the trailer
you will run out of payload on the truck first
cougar28
Explorer
Sep 29, 2019
You should be fine with that just don't load it all in one end . Spread out the weight through out the length of the tt. Do you know the model of the tt?

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Pretty new but need advice

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