Newbie needing beginners advice

GAR2 wrote:

The GVWR was what I thought 11,500. but how do I use the front and rear axle weight rating once I get a camper and take to a CAT scale? And will the axle ratings be something I’ll be more concerned with when I get around to buying a 5th wheel or will it apply to a truck camper as well (how long and how weight is distributed over front and rear wheels) ? I am narrowing my choices down to a tc no longer than 10, a wet bath, and I’m split on hard side vs pop up - Thanks!!

With a Travel Trailer, about 10% of the trailer's weight is carried by the truck, pretty much all of it on the rear axle - UNLESS - you are using a weight distributing hitch. (This is the TONGUE WEIGHT) The remaining 90% of the trailer's weight is carried by the trailer's tires, axles, and springs.

With a 5th wheel, about 25% of the trailer's weight is carried by the truck via the 5th wheel hitch in the bed, again mostly by the rear axle. (This is the PIN WEIGHT) And again, the remaining 75% of the 5th wheels weight is carried by it's running gear.

In both cases, you need to be concerned with the Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR).

With a truck camper, 100% of the camper's weight is carried by the truck. If the center of gravity of the truck camper is directly above
or a bit in front of the rear axle, both front and rear axles will carry some of the weight. If the center of gravity is BEHIND the rear axle, not only will the rear axle carry ALL of the weight, the rear axle actually acts like the balance point on a teeter-totter and the front axle weight can DECREASE. Possibly to the point the steering will be affected and it will become unsafe.