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Axle Weight

1L243
Explorer II
Explorer II
Should combined axle weight be greater than rated GVW? In my case my axles are rated at 4400(x2) 8800 and my GVW is 9680.
2017 Coleman 300tq by Dutchman Toy Hauler. 34.5 feet long and under 10k Gross. 500 watt Solar 2000 watt Inverter, 1999 Ford F250 2WD 7.3 4R100 DP Tuner, S&B Cold Air Intake, Gauges, 6.0 Trans Cooler, Air Bags.
13 REPLIES 13

1L243
Explorer II
Explorer II
The last time I weighed in the trailer axles came in at 8150. The rest of the weight sits on the truck as tongue weight of 1450.

That gets me just under the the rated axle combined weight of 8800 and just under the 9680 Gross trailer weight. I was thinking originally that the axles should exceed the combined trailer weight but I was not taking into account the tongue weight.

Good thing I only carry one bike or I would have to leave the beer at home...
2017 Coleman 300tq by Dutchman Toy Hauler. 34.5 feet long and under 10k Gross. 500 watt Solar 2000 watt Inverter, 1999 Ford F250 2WD 7.3 4R100 DP Tuner, S&B Cold Air Intake, Gauges, 6.0 Trans Cooler, Air Bags.

Vinman02
Explorer
Explorer
wa8yxm wrote:
THat sounds like a good design to me (Combined axle weight greater than max vehicle weight) Gives you a bit more flexibility in loading the rig.

I'd be worried if the combined axle weight was LESS.


The combined axle weight IS less than the GVW.
2019 Ram 3500 6.7 HO Cummins
2016 Arctic Fox 25Y
Honda EU3000i

DrewE
Explorer II
Explorer II
rk911 wrote:
DrewE wrote:
...For a car or truck or motorhome, the sum of the axle weight ratings should not be less than the GVWR. Often but not always they will be higher, giving some flexibility in weight balance when loading to the maximum rated load.

I've seen up to a 500-lb difference between the GVWR and sum of the GAWRs on a MH. the difference is almost always the max tongue weight.


This has me a bit befuddled...

A motorhome has no tongue to carry some of its weight. If there's a hitch, any tongue weight of the attached applied to the hitch would "count" as vehicle weight, and needs to be accounted for in the GVWR and the GAWRs. The rest of the weight of the trailer is, of course, carried on the trailer's wheels.

I would be quite surprised to see any motorhome where the GVWR is greater than the sum of the GAWRs. There would be no safe way to load it to the maximum GVWR (or, more precisely, no way to do so without overloading an axle), which suggests that rating is improperly assigned.

wa8yxm
Explorer III
Explorer III
THat sounds like a good design to me (Combined axle weight greater than max vehicle weight) Gives you a bit more flexibility in loading the rig.

I'd be worried if the combined axle weight was LESS.
Home was where I park it. but alas the.
2005 Damon Intruder 377 Alas declared a total loss
after a semi "nicked" it. Still have the radios
Kenwood TS-2000, ICOM ID-5100, ID-51A+2, ID-880 REF030C most times

Vinman02
Explorer
Explorer
ppine wrote:
What happens when you park the trailer and disconnect it from your Tow Vehicle ? Then your exceeding the GVW for sure.


Not really since the tongue is still supported independently of the axles.
2019 Ram 3500 6.7 HO Cummins
2016 Arctic Fox 25Y
Honda EU3000i

ppine
Explorer II
Explorer II
What happens when you park the trailer and disconnect it from your Tow Vehicle ? Then your exceeding the GVW for sure.

rk911
Explorer
Explorer
DrewE wrote:
...For a car or truck or motorhome, the sum of the axle weight ratings should not be less than the GVWR. Often but not always they will be higher, giving some flexibility in weight balance when loading to the maximum rated load.

I've seen up to a 500-lb difference between the GVWR and sum of the GAWRs on a MH. the difference is almost always the max tongue weight.
Rich
Ham Radio, Sport Pilot, Retired 9-1-1 Call Center Administrator
_________________________________
2016 Itasca Suncruiser 38Q
'46 Willys CJ2A
'23 Jeep Wrangler JL
'10 Jeep Liberty KK

& MaggieThe Wonder Beagle

1L243
Explorer II
Explorer II
My tongue weight runs around 1400#
2017 Coleman 300tq by Dutchman Toy Hauler. 34.5 feet long and under 10k Gross. 500 watt Solar 2000 watt Inverter, 1999 Ford F250 2WD 7.3 4R100 DP Tuner, S&B Cold Air Intake, Gauges, 6.0 Trans Cooler, Air Bags.

phillyg
Explorer II
Explorer II
If your tongue weight is 880lbs or less you should be okay WRT GVW. You still need to weigh your axles, then just tongue, to make sure. TT tongue weight should be within 9-15% of your actual towed weight.
--2005 Ford F350 Lariat Crewcab 6.0, 4x4, 3.73 rear
--2016 Montana 3711FL, 40'
--2014 Wildcat 327CK, 38' SOLD

ppine
Explorer II
Explorer II
YOu have a problem.

Lwiddis
Explorer II
Explorer II
Too close for my comfort.
Winnebago 2101DS TT & 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71, WindyNation 300 watt solar-Lossigy 200 AH Lithium battery. Prefer boondocking, USFS, COE, BLM, NPS, TVA, state camps. Bicyclist. 14 yr. Army -11B40 then 11A - (MOS 1542 & 1560) IOBC & IOAC grad

12th_Man_Fan
Explorer
Explorer
You have to take your tongue weight off of that amount. Not sure the % of GVW on a TT.
2014 GMC Duramax 4X4 DRW Crew

2015 DRV Tradition

DrewE
Explorer II
Explorer II
For a trailer, some of the weight is carried by the tongue. Your axles would appear to be a little bit under their weight ratings when the trailer is at its gross vehicle weight rating.

For a car or truck or motorhome, the sum of the axle weight ratings should not be less than the GVWR. Often but not always they will be higher, giving some flexibility in weight balance when loading to the maximum rated load.