Forum Discussion

hedge's avatar
hedge
Explorer
Jul 17, 2017

Hit the scale, how can I be this heavy?

I hit the scale yesterday and pretty surprised by the numbers. I'm over on GVW, rim capacity and tire capacity. Would never have thought I was based on estimates. I thought I was maybe over by a couple hundred, some of the units I see must be crazy overloaded. I've been using it this way for 4 years and it never felt unsafe but now I'm concerned.

Truck: 2012 F350 SRW Diesel, 11,500GVW, tires: 3750x2=7500
Camper: 2013 Adventurer 89RB, published dry weight ~2400lbs

Scale: Front 5,038, Rear 7,700, Total 12,738

Truck GVW is 11,500 with a cargo capacity sticker of 3,492, that would mean the truck empty weighs ~8,008. 12,738 - 8,008 would mean the camper weighs ~4,730.

This just does not seem possible for a non-slide camper. It was in ready-to-camp condition with water but still that's over a ton more than the dry weight. Something here is not making sense, I am not towing and I don't really pack many extras... where would it even go on this small camper.

70 Replies

  • That camper should scale out around 3500 lbs when loaded. Unless you are carrying excess amounts of batteries, ammo, rocks or tools, I think the measurement is off.
  • that's the rating on the sidewall, I actually thought that was pretty high for E rated tires. I've seen many that are lower than that.

    The tire capacity is worrisome, I also believe I'm over the rim capacity.... if the scale is correct, just seems really high for a 8.5' no slide camper.

    I'm kicking myself that I didn't unload and weigh the truck by itself, I had the time too.

    -----------------------------------------------

    I've been kicking tires on new trucks and was maybe considering a dually, I was really thinking it was optional but this is pushing me more in that direction, especially if I ever want to get a larger one.

    I just have no experience with dually's, took a short test drive in one and it didn't seem all that different to handle, gotta watch those fenders but I spend a lot of time looking in the mirrors now. Looks like the tire changing procedure isn't all that different, looks like both wheels mount to the same studs. As you can see I'm pretty green as far as duallys go.
  • tires: 3750x2=7500 and Scale: Front 5,038, Rear 7,700

    Is the 3750 the decal or on the tire sidewalls? If on the tire sidewalls, that puts overloaded by 100 lbs per tire in the rear. Personally, Would prefer a tire with a greater load capacity. That would be my only concern. I must confess I am a tire capacity Nazi. You have four years running your rig so you may get another four. My biggest concern would be hot weather, and making sure the tires were at their max psi.
  • I'd redo and get the combo again then get the unloaded truck. Then you'll know where the problem is. Tell them you're checking for a problem and want an accurate reading to work with. I agree with the others that say the scales may have been off - not zeroed.

    Good luck!
  • You are not that bad.
    I scaled my camper when I bought it.
    Factory site says 3800 lb, real weight winterized scaled at 4200.
    This season I took it to scales again, loaded (moderately) for travel).
    Camper come to 6500 lb. Full fresh water but empty holding tanks.
    NO BEER.
  • yeah, I'm trying to find another scale as I'm quite suspect of the numbers... although I saw a number of big rigs using it.

    The as sold weight sticker indicates the weight as 2800lbs, The TC magazine estimate of this model fully loaded is 3450... that's why I'm having a hard time trusting the scale numbers. The front also seems heavy.
  • I should really hit the scale also, my little Lance 825 sticker says 2094 pounds, but I think its more like 3000 pounds ready to camp.
  • If dry is supposed to be 2400 let's say it is off by the weight of a battery, propane, microwave, awning etc that's still only maybe 150 to 200 lbs. Something wrong in the figures?
  • Might want a do over. I had a rig weighed once and it was overweight, and I knew my rig pretty well. As soon as they gave me the weight ticket I questioned it; the attendant re-zeroed the scale and weighed me again. Instantly lost over 1,000 lbs.
  • I had the same sort of shock a few weeks ago. After 7 years and 75K miles of use, I finally weighed my rig. It was 12,200 without me or my wife and I still have some clothing and food to pack. Worse than that I have a three quarter ton truck and tires rated for maximum load of 3200#. I am about 3600# on the rear tires. I immediately ordered 19.5 wheels and tires. Otherwise the truck will continue to handle the weight. I have airbags, Rancho shocks and Supersprings. The Cummins diesel handles the pulling with no issues. Brakes seem good with decent stopping distances. I have done quite a bit of mountain driving and my original brakes are still under half worn. I am going to feel a lot better when I get my 19.5 wheels and tires.

    I thought I had a very accurate estimate of the weight I added plus the base weight when the camper was built. I was off by 1000 pounds.