factory vs dealer vs loaded weights

myredracer wrote:
...I have weighed each and every item that is going into our unit as a mod or upgrade, light to heavy - weighed it all.
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The total weight of ALL modifications and upgrades is 119 lbs. That includes a few heavier things like water filtration, EZ-Flex equalizers, shock absorbers and also the WDH snap-up brackets + cam arms.

On our first camping trip out this year, we loaded everything into it that we would for any normal camping weekend. The pass-through has all the usual stuff like BBQ, outdoor carpet, folding chairs, wheel chocks, sewer fittings, leveling blocks, etc., etc. The kitchen was loaded with all the usual things like coffee maker, toaster, dishes, cutlery, food, pots, etc., etc. The rest of the interior was loaded with clothes, bathroom stuff (towels, toiletries), some books, DVDs, toolbox, etc., etc. The loaded weight could be a little higher if loaded for a longer trip, but I doubt by very much especially when you consider that you typically grocery shop along the way.

The total weight of ALL cargo loaded into our TT came to 555 lbs.

The total weight of all modifications and upgrades is 119 lbs.

TOTAL additional weight of top of the factory UVW is 674 lbs.

People frequently say that the weight of your TT is in the order of 1500 lbs added on top of the factory UVW. I have to say that I disagree and that for the "average" 28-30'-ish TT, the additional weight above your UVW after fully loaded for camping is more likely to be in the order of 700 lbs (cargo + allowance for some mods/upgrades) which is about 1/2 of the often quoted 1500 lb figure.
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Another thing of note is that sometimes people say that you can shift cargo around in your TT to adjust tongue wt. If we're only talking about 600 lbs, I'm not so sure that's really feasible. You'd have to relocate a lot of items from the pass-through to the rear or a lot of interior things to the pass-through, neither of which are practical in my eyes.

In summary, it was an interesting exercise.

Interesting indeed! It would also be interesting to see the replies that follow.

I too disagree with the nominal 1500# allowance for "stuff" - always thought that it was excessive. After all you are going "camping". In my previous RV my all up weight exceeding the UVW was about 800#. In the new RV I have about the same stuff, maybe 100# more so it is getting up a bit, but I have hit a plateau and don't expect it to increase any more. Too much junk brought means too much junk to handle when you get there.

That said, it is just the two of us, BUT when we had kids we didn't bring any more junk either - just their clothes. They just had to do without whatever while on the trip and focus on the camping and the outdoors. Some folk have a different view.

As for shifting weight - I am one of those who say that it can be done but I appreciate what you are getting at with regard to whether or not it is practicable. However, if you have a fore-aft imbalance and see sway then I would think that you'd find a way to move the weights back and forth. Remember - moving a weight from one end to the other provides a double benefit as there is a negative weight and a positive weight in that shift, so a little can often go a long way.