Forum Discussion

Charliegu58's avatar
Charliegu58
Explorer
Jan 21, 2014

Manufacture Assigned Weights

I have a 2011 Veiwfinder 22RBDS and the 2011 brochure for this trailer model states the following weight numbers.
GVWR 6,095 LB
Axle Weight 4,095 LB
Dry Weight 4,535 LB
Cargo Capacity 1,510 LB

I was looking through my manufacture documents and came across the weight info which stated the weight info above was listed on the Weights Tag, Tire Loading Tag and the Dry Weight on a sticker inside a cabinet door. Well this is what I found.
GVWR 6,095 LB
GAWR 4,465 LB (I assume GAWR is the same as Axle Weight in brochure)
Dry Weight ????? LB (No Sticker)
Cargo Capacity 1,135 LB
The dry weight sticker is nowhere to be found. I looked in every cabinet door, inside and out. I looked in and under every drawer.

I only have about 600 LB of cargo, but I don’t like the fact I’m that close to the GVWR. Also, I’m concerned there is no Dry Weight Sticker as well as the axle weight is so far off.

I have emailed Cruiser RV to explain these differences. I have included the trailer VIN.

Any thoughts….
  • tkoden's avatar
    tkoden
    Explorer
    Jan 21, 2014
    Just a thought but, there might be upgrades that take away from the cargo capacity like a full size sofa bed instead of a jack knife bed or an upgraded AC unit.

    When I was looking at trailers I never found a trailer that had the exact same specs as the brochure. They were all heavier because they had added options / upgrades.
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    Jan 21, 2014
    The sticker you found is suppose to be the weights as it left the factory. Brochures usually are printed ling in advance of a models release, so the numbers are really mystical and in no way are guaranteed. The axle weight numbers are probably because they changed axle specs sometime since the brochures printing. Nothing to be concerned about, except you are falling into the "dry weight" syndrome, which is really worthless.
  • JJBIRISH's avatar
    JJBIRISH
    Explorer
    Jan 21, 2014
    by deducting the CCC from the GVWR your weight as delivered should be 4960…

    but I wouldn’t know why they didn’t list it… brochure weights are done by modeling and never correct…
  • Bumpyroad's avatar
    Bumpyroad
    Explorer
    Jan 21, 2014
    donn0128 wrote:
    Nothing to be concerned about, except you are falling into the "dry weight" syndrome, which is really worthless.


    Likewise, don't fall into the GVWR syndrome either. you don't have to load it to maximum.
    take the true dry weight, add liquids, and allow for your "stuff".
    bumpy
  • Charliegu58's avatar
    Charliegu58
    Explorer
    Jan 21, 2014
    Sorry but I'm not sure I understand the meaning behind the falling into the dry weight and GVWR syndrome.
    I'm just concern with getting to closed to the GVWR weight. I know we keep adding things until one day we fillip all the storage.... I wish I could blame DW, but it's not her!!!!
    Guess the only way to really determine this is to hook up and head down to truck stop and weight it...
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    Jan 21, 2014
    Bumpyroad wrote:
    donn0128 wrote:
    Nothing to be concerned about, except you are falling into the "dry weight" syndrome, which is really worthless.


    Likewise, don't fall into the GVWR syndrome either. you don't have to load it to maximum.
    take the true dry weight, add liquids, and allow for your "stuff".
    bumpy


    The problem with this idea is... Almost no one can accurately guess how much junk they will pile into their trailer. At least basing everything from the GVWR numbers you will know your safe as long as your under that number.
  • Charliegu58's avatar
    Charliegu58
    Explorer
    Jan 22, 2014
    Well until I hear from manufacture, my plan is to hook up load as we would to go camping. Instead head for the scales, unhook and weight just the tongue, then the entire trailer. This will give me the trailers total weight and the % that is on the tongue. The difference would be the weight on the two axles.
    If this correct, is the GVWR the total weight including tongue or total weight handled by axles?
  • Bumpyroad's avatar
    Bumpyroad
    Explorer
    Jan 22, 2014
    donn0128 wrote:


    The problem with this idea is... Almost no one can accurately guess how much junk they will pile into their trailer. At least basing everything from the GVWR numbers you will know your safe as long as your under that number.


    Numbers have been floated around in this forum of 1,000 to 1,500 lbs. for "stuff" normally. yep you can carry lead ingots and go way over that. you can fill your 200 gallon fresh water tank and gain 1700 lbs. or just have enough for on the road use of 20 gallons and save a bunch. the problem is discarding a trailer only because of a high GVWR. just blindly rejecting a unit because of that is foolish IMHO. get the actual dry weight, get the actual wet weight (with a traveling amount of water if desired), add on for personal stuff and if you are sufficiently under the rated GVWR you are fine.
    bumpy
  • PawPaw_n_Gram's avatar
    PawPaw_n_Gram
    Explorer
    Jan 22, 2014
    Charliegu58 wrote:
    The dry weight sticker is nowhere to be found.


    Check with local truck stops and find one with a certified scale.

    Take the trailer down there and weigh it.

    That will give you the actual weight of the trailer.

    Dry weight means basically nothing. Especially since the dry weight is how the trailer left the factory floor.

    Dealer addons like propane tanks, batteries, spare tire, second AC, etc - all increase the basic trailer weight.

    My new trailer gained almost 450 lbs between leaving the factory floor and leaving the dealer lot.

    The one place where the manufacturer weights are important is at the local DMV. Your trailer will be registered according to the manufacturer weights - either the GVWR in many states, or the Net Weight in other. States don't weigh individual trailers.

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