sh410 wrote:
Unfortunely, my trailer was manufactured before the reg mentioned above. The placard does not state the GAWR. The GVWR is 7000#. Crawling under the rig, the axles are tagged with 3500# each. The tire fitment are 205/75/15C rated at 1850# each. What I am trying to figure out is if I have the OP's statment of a 15% margin of saftey. According to the reg GAWR plus the hitch weight cannot be less that the GVWR but it can be more.
Using the manufacturer's suggested hitch weight range (10 to 15%) minimum of 10% would compute to 700#.
My actual weights are 907# Hitch weight, the Axles weight are carrying 5933# loaded with stuff with FW full, propane full and ready to camp with 6840# total weight and under the GVWR. I am 15% under the GAWRs. The total tire carrying is rated at 7400#. I think that I have satisfied myself that I do have the 15% MOS.
If my thinking is incorrect, please let me know.
Francesca Knowles wrote:
"And here's another kicker, maybe...it seems to me that there's been some discussion of subtracting tongue/pin weight from the GAW number."
wern't me. :B
I have no argument with what you are posting nor the regulation. Just that even though manufacturers do not seem to be living up to the GAWR and Tire reg, the tires do have to carry the load assigned. Some might not and some may. For the RVr it important to know the weights and the tire capacity and have the 15% margin of saftey that we have learned in this thread, notwithstanding the regs or the manufacturers.
For the new RVr it can be overwhelming and even something many of us are not even aware of. I think that forums like we have are important to us all.
I think your thinking is correct thinking, I think.:) The manufacturer could have gotten away with ST205/75R14 load range C rated at 1760 each on your axle. At least they gave you the next wheel size up. If the wheel is at least 6" wide and you have the room in the wheel wells and between adjacent tires, you could run the ST225/75R15 load range C for 2150 pounds each. That would give you more than 15% if you find yourself running at the max of 3500 pounds per axle some day.
