Not sure if this is the right spot for this but here goes. We have a Starcraft 17ck 1999 hybrid tt that we pull with an SUV rated for 3500 lbs. I believe the weight is less than 2500 lbs. we are looking at a aero cub Thor m-216 which is a 21' hybrid. Nada says the weight is just over 2800 lbs but I found 2 ads elsewhere for this and it says the weight is over 4k. It's a 2001. Anyone know how accurate nada is according to weight?ThnxJust want to make sure our SUV can handle it.

Lacking actual ready to travel weight obtained at a certified scales. Your best option is to look at the trailers GVWR as posted on the DOT sticker on the left front side.

I would be inclined to believe that a 21' camper is over 2800 lbs. If it has two axles,I would bet its more than you are rated for. Like Donn said the real answer lies in the sticker.

look for the white sticker inside one of the cabinet doors.it'll have the trailer's UVW when it left the factory, meaning it includes the weights of so-called options that nearly all trailers have(oven, awning, a/c, spare tire, microwave and so on).then you add for the weights of cargo, water, battery and propane.the NADA weight of 2823lbs. is the bogus "dry" weight, meaning a stripped-down version of the trailer, without the things listed above.so, it'll easily have a UVW about 3200lbs., before cargo, water, battery and propane.so, the answer is YES, it'll weigh more than 3500lbs. loaded.and your 3500 number is rated with only a 150lb. driver in it. anything else in it, lowers that 3500 number.so, with anything in the SUV other than the driver and the normal things put in the trailer, you'll easily be over the max.you could look at the GCWR of your vehicle. but you didn't post what the tow vehicle is. not many SUV's have a tow capacity of only 3500lbs., the Ford Escape being one of them. so, it's acutally a CUV, not an SUV with such a low tow capacity.

It's an '06 Acura mdx. Thnx again for the replies

Do not go by NADA it is more than likely the advertised empty weight..... Only true weight is on a scale........ Advertised weight is with no options, no gas (propane), no gear, etc etc..... If you have the weight that is usually on the yellow sticker and then add 500 to 1000 lbs minimum for your gear. Our trailer advertised weight was 9200 lbs came in with options at 9,600 lbs & has a gross weight of 14500 lbs (Its a Toyhauler so actual weights vary greatly)

Trailer weight question | Good Sam Community

12 Replies

Oaklevel
Explorer
Jul 11, 2013
skipnchar wrote:
There is ONE place you can be assured that the weight is accurate. Get your towing information from the DOT safety plate (required by law) usually attached to the lower side wall of your trailer, near the front end. GVWR = XXXX
Unless you plan to pack for each trip using a bathroom scale to pre weigh everything, you need to be able to tow your trailer fully loaded.

I agree but after time many of those "plates" are stickers & fade out
kknowlton
Explorer II
Jul 11, 2013
Very helpful blog post! Wish we'd had it when we were trailer shopping.
ependydad
Explorer
Jul 11, 2013
I wrote a page about this exact thing:
http://learntorv.blogspot.com/p/what-can-i-tow.html

I wrote it when my father-in-law was asking what they could actually tow with their 4Runner.
skipnchar
Explorer
Jul 11, 2013
There is ONE place you can be assured that the weight is accurate. Get your towing information from the DOT safety plate (required by law) usually attached to the lower side wall of your trailer, near the front end. GVWR = XXXX
Unless you plan to pack for each trip using a bathroom scale to pre weigh everything, you need to be able to tow your trailer fully loaded.
bikendan
Explorer
Jul 11, 2013
Edmunds shows a 4500lbs. tow capacity, IF it has the proper factory tow package, for the '06 MDX.
where did you get the 3500 number?
Shwthomas1975
Explorer
Jul 11, 2013
So, basically stick to my 17ck for now until we upgrade vehicles.
Thnx for the input again...
PAThwacker
Explorer
Jul 11, 2013
The mdx hitches I see online are radically v shaped 400lb / 4,000lb gross that's popup boat and utility trailer spec. It is not an SUV, its a 300hp performance cuv. No wdh spec and 21ft nonslide htt weigh in at 4500 plus.
Oaklevel
Explorer
Jul 11, 2013
Do not go by NADA it is more than likely the advertised empty weight..... Only true weight is on a scale........ Advertised weight is with no options, no gas (propane), no gear, etc etc..... If you have the weight that is usually on the yellow sticker and then add 500 to 1000 lbs minimum for your gear.

Our trailer advertised weight was 9200 lbs came in with options at 9,600 lbs & has a gross weight of 14500 lbs (Its a Toyhauler so actual weights vary greatly)
Shwthomas1975
Explorer
Jul 11, 2013
It's an '06 Acura mdx.
Thnx again for the replies
bikendan
Explorer
Jul 11, 2013
look for the white sticker inside one of the cabinet doors.
it'll have the trailer's UVW when it left the factory, meaning it includes the weights of so-called options that nearly all trailers have(oven, awning, a/c, spare tire, microwave and so on).

then you add for the weights of cargo, water, battery and propane.

the NADA weight of 2823lbs. is the bogus "dry" weight, meaning a stripped-down version of the trailer, without the things listed above.
so, it'll easily have a UVW about 3200lbs., before cargo, water, battery and propane.

so, the answer is YES, it'll weigh more than 3500lbs. loaded.
and your 3500 number is rated with only a 150lb. driver in it. anything else in it, lowers that 3500 number.

so, with anything in the SUV other than the driver and the normal things put in the trailer, you'll easily be over the max.

you could look at the GCWR of your vehicle. but you didn't post what the tow vehicle is. not many SUV's have a tow capacity of only 3500lbs., the Ford Escape being one of them. so, it's acutally a CUV, not an SUV with such a low tow capacity.