'78 Wilderness 5th Wheel trailer 31' weight limitations

Huh?

Looks like you will need a trip (or two) across some scales after you finish gutting it.

Which is what you really need to do regardless of any tag/info on it.

Doing what you are doing would "void" the builders tag in most states and revert it to a home-brew.
In some states that means you pay for a bare-frame inspection before they will license it.
I would do some research with your state offices.

check the axles for a tag or stamp .GVW is axle capacity x 2

Not nessesarely someone may have changed out the axles.

The GVWR of a RV trailer once gutted down to the basic frame rails/cross members/out riggers and axles will be much less than the unit as a whole. A 5000 lb GVWR trailer may weigh 1500 lbs leaving you with 3500 lb payload. Pretty light weight for a car hauler.

Trailers made back then had no fed requirement for tags or placards. Numbers were sometimes steel stamped into the frame usually in the hitch area.

The RV main frame rails will be made from light weight structural steel compared to a factory car hauler. Same with cross member material which is usually 1/8" rolled formed sheet metal on 48" centers. You will spend money and time making a car hauler from a RV frame.

from the sounds of it you want a car trailer not a camper..once you cut the f'ers frame down you will have to retitle it anyway several guys near me have converted old f'ers to haul mud trucks you will have to double the frame to haul anything bigger than a big lawn mower as the frames are paper thin..

To: Allworth,

Sorry to confuse you :)

To: Old-biscuit,

I was planning on using the local dump for the trailer weighing. Still need to call them and find out if they allow it.

To: N7bsn,

Thank you, I checked with the DMV and they stated to bring in the license plate and title and convert it to junk title. After that then register the trailer as a custom trailer which would allow it to have the permanent trailer license. :) I won't have to pay for the registrations every year :)

To: Harley Hitchiker,

I never thought about that; I will have to check them. :)

To: Slownsy,

The trailer looks factory other than previous owners removing interior items: lights, cabinets, and other small items.

To: JimnLin,

I will have to check for steel stamps I think I saw some but overlooked them. The rust will need to be removed.

As for the weight you stated did that include the enclosure?
I was planning on re-enforcing the floors because I know the floors are only rated for humans a max of 700 to 1000 lbs maybe.

To: recycler,

I was looking at the main frame they look to be 1/8" to a 1/4" thick. I know the floor will require some re-enforcement but haven't got to that point yet. The weight is my highest priority in deciding if it would be worth it to convert it.

The trailer reminds me of a '77 chevy truck 3/4 ton truck I had. The channels running from the front to the back look very durable. I have not looked at the arms extending from them yet but will soon.

Though after talking with you all about this I am realizing that converting the 5th wheel will not be feasible due to weight limits of the MH. Plus I would have to cut the frame down to at least 20'; about 35% would be cut off. To me that is just too much to cut off.

I want to say thank you all for your responses I really appreciate the help in figuring this all out. Thank you.