Forum Discussion

ls1mike's avatar
ls1mike
Explorer II
Jun 30, 2019

Got some more real weights today

Was in Grayland Wa camping. Hit a state truck scale on the way home.
2002 2500HD 6.0/4L80E. 4 bikes, 1 propane bottle two rows of wood staked to the top of the bed. 2 kids, my wife, myself full tank of gas.
Hooked up to a 3220 Passport Ultra Light. Dry weight 6280.

Truck with trailer on tongue. 7900lbs. Gross weight can be 9200.
3620 front axle 4280 rear axle.

Trailer really surprised me. Axles are rated for 3500lbs each at least that is all I could find about them. Empty tanks, full fridge, out door kitchen full of ****, almost full propane tanks. Under dinette empty under couch full, under front bed sand toys and blow up kayaks, empty wardrobes. Half full pantry.

Rear Axle was 3520 front axle was 3480. Trailer was right at 7000lbs. I don't have a lot of stuff in the trailer. Weight adds up fast.
I figure I am little over on the trailer. This is season 7 loaded like this. Gross weight of the trailer can be 7500lbs. I assume they used small 3500lbs axles as the tongue carries 10 to 15 percent.
Tow Vehicles
  • BigToe's avatar
    BigToe
    Explorer
    Jul 02, 2019
    The weight police haven't shown up because ls1mike is not overweight.

    His truck, including tongue weight on the truck, was 1,300 lbs UNDER his truck's GVWR. (9,200 GVWR - 7,900 scale = 1,300)

    His trailer was 500 lbs UNDER his trailer's GVWR. (7,500 GVWR - 7,000 scale = 500)

    What seems to be the problem? 20 lbs over on one of the trailer axles? Just shift some personal belongings/supplies inside the trailer.
  • ls1mike's avatar
    ls1mike
    Explorer II
    Jul 01, 2019
    gopherslayer wrote:
    Now you did it! Weight police will be here to tell you how illegal it is and insurance won’t cover you blah blah blah.


    Haha Yeah. I am surprised they are not in here yet.

    I did forget I had 1/2 a tank of potable, 30 gallons. I loaded it a few trips back when I did some dry camping trip with the boys.

    I drained that out last night, so that is 240ish lbs right there.

    Forgot all about it as I use that tank once every few years.
  • gopherslayer's avatar
    gopherslayer
    Explorer
    Jul 01, 2019
    Now you did it! Weight police will be here to tell you how illegal it is and insurance won’t cover you blah blah blah.
  • ls1mike's avatar
    ls1mike
    Explorer II
    Jun 30, 2019
    I was actually suprised how light the truck was with the trailer attached.
    It is a crew cab long bed 2wd. Only options are a/c and factory crusise that I added a few years back now. A true W/T.

    I am probably 400 to 500lbs over on the trailer. I think I could get rid of some weight but at this point not worth it. I would have self destructed years ago if it had been a problem. Trailer is a 2012.
  • Groover's avatar
    Groover
    Explorer II
    Jun 30, 2019
    As a general rule the GVWR for bumper pull trailers is the sum of what the axles are rated for. As you commented you should have 10 to 15% on the tongue and in reality as long as your axles and hitch are not overloaded you are fine. I just ordered a commercial trailer with two 7K axles and the standard rating for it predictably is 14K. However, I was talking with a factory engineer and he volunteered that on request they would rate it as high as 16.4K at no charge except for a sturdier hitch because of the amount on the tongue.
  • ib516's avatar
    ib516
    Explorer II
    Jun 30, 2019
    Yes, most RV manufacturers put the most minimally acceptable axles under them they can. It fits in well with the build quality they have, which is slapped together junk for the most part.

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