What is "Dry weight?"

Dry weight is a base trailer. No battery, no options. No liquids. Some don't even include mandatory options, even though they are mandatory to get. Never consider a dry weight.

As I suspected. Then how does a person determine if a trailer can be safely pulled? My 2003 Tundra is rated to 5500 pounds. We're looking to buy a TT with a dry weight of 4178 pounds, but there's a sticker on the door that lists a weight in the 4550 range. I was hoping the 4550 would be more realistic and leave my wife some room to pack stuff.

Thanks for the prompt reply.

ECones wrote:
When the specs on TT list a dry weight, is that the weight as equipped from the factory including furniture, battery, empty propane tanks, etc?

Different manufacturers have different definitions of "dry weight". Some of them will list their definition in their brochures or on their web site.

For some manufacturers, their basic trailer model has relatively few standard items and relatively many "available" options. In this case, the delivered weight of a trailer with optional equipment might be several hundred pounds greater than the published "dry weight".

For some manufacturers, their basic trailer model has relatively many standard items and relatively few "available" options. In this case, the delivered weight of a trailer with optional equipment might be very close to (or even less than) the published "dry weight".

Ron

Good place to start
www.leantorv.com

If u sure, go with the trailer GVW. More than likely, you will be closer to that weight when fully loaded and ready to camp.

That yellow sticker represents a more accurate weight of that particular trailer when it left the factory, not including the propane or any dealer installed items.

flash82 wrote:
That yellow sticker represents a more accurate weight of that particular trailer when it left the factory, not including the propane or any dealer installed items.

According to the following, the weight of propane must be included.

49 CFR 571-110 - paragraph S4.3.5 states:

"---If the vehicle is a recreation vehicle trailer and is equipped with a propane supply, the weight of full propane tanks must be included in the vehicle's unloaded vehicle weight.---"

If the weight of dealer installed items exceeds the lesser of 1.5% of GVWR or 100#, a corrected sticker must be provided.

Ron

That is before you turn to drinking!

ECones wrote:
We're looking to buy a TT with a dry weight of 4178 pounds, but there's a sticker on the door that lists a weight in the 4550 range.

That "4550 range" is the REAL "dry weight"- the trailer as delivered. That weight is before you've put your scanties and your panties in it; let alone a gallon of water etc.

The number you need concern yourself with is the trailer's gross weight, which must be gleaned from mfr. specs by adding two figures together: the "pretend" dry weight plus the listed carrying capacity.

Your "tow rating" of #5500 is with an empty truck and does not include any additional payload to the truck. Well, other than maybe the driver and a full tank of gas... Is that how you plan on traveling?? ;)

So, lets say you load your truck up with the family and some stuff in the bed.. That will mean you basically have to reduce that "tow rating" by what you just loaded into the truck..

That is, if you want to still stay within the other trucks weight ratings of GVWR and front/rear GAWR.. Payload figures did not exist for your 2003, but it is essentially what your truck actually weighs subtracted from it's GVWR.

I've got a 22', #5000 GVWR TT that had a "dry weight" of around #3400.. It weighs every bit of that #5000 GVWR now.. I know, I've weighed it.. :)

Anyway, shopping by trailers "dry weight" and comparing that to the trucks "tow rating" is fine if you leave enough room between the two, but get too close, and something is going to be overweight in the end..

Good luck!

Mitch