How is RV dry weight calculated?

[JJensen79]

The reason I ask this question is because one of my friends got an identical trailer, same model, only a couple of different options. His has the microwave in the outside kitchen and mine has a television.
I was helping him get it all set up and happened to look at the yellow tag in door of his TT and his reads 6832lbs. Mine reads 7623.
If everything else is identical why the 800lb difference?

[wintersun]

I frequently get my rig weighed as it costs only $10 and takes very little time. Manufacturers will not include anything added by the dealer which can include an AC unit, awnings, and batteries for starters.

I want to know the fully loaded weight if I have made changes before I head off into the distance. There is peace of mind in knowing the exact weight at the scales.

[rk911]

JJensen79 wrote:

D & M wrote:
Perhaps if you look at this website you will find the answer to your question.

Thanks for posting this link, I understand all of the different weights.
I was really trying to understand how two trailers (mine and my friends) that are identical, have an 800 lb difference in dry weight, according to the yellow sticker inside the door.
Both trailers are North Trail 32BUDS, the only difference being he has a microwave in his outside kitchen and I have a television. The axles, wheels, etc are identical.

It just seems odd is all.

i'd call it factory error...just like the earlier poster experienced. and as several of us have expressed...neither of you should rely on that sticker. load up your trailers and get 'em weighed.

[JJensen79]

D & M wrote:
Perhaps if you look at this website you will find the answer to your question.

Thanks for posting this link, I understand all of the different weights.
I was really trying to understand how two trailers (mine and my friends) that are identical, have an 800 lb difference in dry weight, according to the yellow sticker inside the door.
Both trailers are North Trail 32BUDS, the only difference being he has a microwave in his outside kitchen and I have a television. The axles, wheels, etc are identical.

It just seems odd is all.

[D___M]

Perhaps if you look at this website you will find the answer to your question.

[JJensen79]

The first thing I am going to do is go back to the scales. I weighed it once but can't seem to find the slip of paper, also thought it would be good to get done anyhow since we have removed all unnecessary items that DW thought we needed.

I never thought to look at the axles. I was more concerned that if and when we ever decided to sell it might turn someone off with the heavier weight.

Is it worth the hassle of trying to get a new tag or do I just forget about it?

[cdlaine]

Justin,

My response above did not include the relevant data...

Here is the "tale of the tape"...funny, it meant a lot
more to me when I was fixated on the numbers... now that
my learning curve has progressed I firmly hold to the
belief that only real scaled weights that matter are
those verified when hooked up to go camping under full
load....

caveat... I think legally the form that is "Gospel" is
the official FD-306 Rev A. The "door sticker" is apparently
"general guidelines". I would encourage you to verify VIN #'s
on both stickers. Again, I accepted the "typo" explanation... as
you can see, my numbers changed significantly. I was the one that
brought the numerical discrepancy of the two stickers up to the
manufacturer. Match all numbers to tire load and wheel load ratings.

so, I went from purchase sticker, version 2, and version 3. Here are
version 2 and 3...




Old tag (door) New tag (door)

Hitch: 2300 Hitch: 2300
UVW: 11,360 UWV: 11,360
NCC: 2585 NCC: 2940
GVWR: 13945 GVWR: 14300

Old (FD-360 A) New (FD-360 A)

GVWR: 12000 GVWR: 14300
GAWR: 5200 GAWR: 6000

Good luck ..I realize this does not really relate to your original posts...just an indicator of consumer issues/concerns in the current RV marketplace.

Charles

[John___Angela]

I agree with weighing the trailer if the acceptable tolerance has to be within about 5 percent of the real weight. Eg if you are looking at a 5000 pound trailer and you are okay with being a couple hundred pounds out don't sweat it. If its down to the wire on weights then by all means get it weighed. Use realistic numbers for cargo, battery and propane and water. Don't over inflate or under inflate weights and never use GVWR as an indicator of the trailers weight. GVWR is your friend, the bigger the better, it has nothing to do with the weight of the trailer but rather the quality of the axles, wheels, brakes and tires etc.

[cdlaine]

Justin,

Truth.... My rig was "re-stickered" 3 times in its first year
by the factory. "Typos" ...hmmm. My take-home lesson... the
only weights that matter are related to what you get unloaded
and loaded at your local scales. Trust but verify.

As to your original post... the definition of "dry weight" seems
to vary by manufacturer.

Charles

[Campfire_Time]

Are we talking about dry weights or shipped weights? They are two different things. Dry weight is quite simply the weight of a base trailer with no options, no propane. Read the manufacturers literature, anything listed as options is not included in the dry weight. When we bought our first HTT we were given a sheet with the option list and the weights of each option.

Shipped weight is the weight of the trailer out the door at the factory. That includes includes any factory installed options. Also, it wouldn't surprise me that components brands/models get changed in manufacturing, things like axles, building materials, etc.

[rk911]

JJensen79 wrote:
The reason I ask this question is because one of my friends got an identical trailer, same model, only a couple of different options. His has the microwave in the outside kitchen and mine has a television.
I was helping him get it all set up and happened to look at the yellow tag in door of his TT and his reads 6832lbs. Mine reads 7623.
If everything else is identical why the 800lb difference?

I learned a long time ago not to trust the weight stickers on motorhomes and to have the unit weighed to get the correct empty weight. when my buddy...who owned a TT at the time...was preparing to buy a new-to-him truck I asked if the truck was rated at towing his TT. he said that it was and pointed to the weight sticker on the TT. I urged him to ignore the sticker and have it weighed. he did and found that the TT was too heavy for the truck.

the moral of the story is not to trust sales critters or weight stickers and to insist on having the unit weighed before buying and as a condition of the sale.

[Dtaylor]

dbbls wrote:
At Heartland Manufacturing each trailer is weighted as it comes off the assembly line. Don't know about other brands but I suspect it is the same.

Heartland does weigh theirs as they come off the line. They also put a sticker that lets you know what is included. For example, mine includes a full fresh water tank but not the grey or black tank

[Dtaylor]

dbbls wrote:
At Heartland Manufacturing each trailer is weighted as it comes off the assembly line. Don't know about other brands but I suspect it is the same.

Heartland does weigh theirs as they come off the line. They also put a sticker that lets you know what is included. For example, mine includes a full fresh water tank but not the grey or black tank

[Desert_Captain]

Dry weights are calculated with blue smoke and mirrors. They do not exist in the real world. That RV will never ever see it's "Dry" weight again once it rolls off the end of the assembly line and off of the scale. Anyone who quotes you dry weights, especially dry tongue weights, is not your friend and is probably looking to hurt you. Dry weights are a a joke and the joke will be on you. About as relevant as asking a person what they weighed when they were born. :S

[jjwms]

It may be that the factory installed different axles and wheels on the two units. While you are weighing them it would be a good idea to look at what the tires are spec to carry to be sure they are not overloaded.