Then Grit and I also load equipment trailers. Many of those have payloads rated at the axle capacity, with a foot note, if you have enough hitch wt, IE the weight of the trailer! I was looking for a trailer that can handle 12000 lbs, they would spec it with 2-6K axels, of course I am assuming 2-7K axles! 12000 of load, plus 4500 for the trailer. 16500 total, 15% on a pintle hitch ~ 2500 lbs, leaving me with 14K on the axles, hence me wanting dual 7K trailer. I also had 2000 lbs for getting bigger equipment than I had at the time, plus other potential tool weight etc. I figured more like 12-13 on the axles, and 2000 HW on a pintle hitch in reality.
Not that I have towed 5W/gooseneck style trailers, I would give myself the 14K on the trailer, plus 3500-4300 hw, total 17500-18300. that's about 5100-6000 lbs for other items. Whether the front part of the trailer frame is strong enough to handle that weight is another question or story to deal with.
Another you have to watch for, is the base wt including water? LP and battery(s)? Some include those items, other do not. There should be a sticker inside a cabinet, usually in the kitchen area, that will give you an as built payload spec. Look at one or two you see on the lot, you will get a pretty good idea one how much you really have to work with.
As noted, there are multiple ways a manufacture can say with the GVW of the trailer should be. Some make sense, others do not. Reality, if you get pulled over or have to go thru a weight scale, they only use the trailer axel weight towards your total GVW. The HW goes against the rear axle capacity GRAW of the tow rig! This includes ball or pintle hitch trailers also. So, if you have 2000 lbs of payload to use towards HW, divide 2000/.25 for 25% HW< you have a max trailer of 8000 lbs. 2000/.10 or 10% HW< you have the ability to tow a 20,000 lbs trailer. you will always need a bigger truck to pull a 5W than a ball mount trailer.
I'm not going to go into legal weight amounts you can put on your rigs axels, I could legally pull this trailer with my 1500 Chebby. I won't recommend it. As more than likely, even with the trailer brakes working, I could not stop the total within legal requirements, I'll have a failed braking system. major fines, red tagged on the side wherever I sat etc. Weight wise, I would be legal!
Enjoy your new rig!
Marty