Overweight

[allenm]

My 6250 GVWR ultra-lite trailer had a delivered weight of 5326 with full LP tanks leaving 924 for cargo.

I know I'm close to my cargo limit when packed for travel even with an empty refrigerator and empty holding tanks. That's the downside of an ultra-lite, but that's another story.

Parked at my campsite with a full refrig, full holding tanks and 2 people, I could be exceeding my GVWR by more than 1000 lbs. We're snow birding and the trailer hasn't moved in 4 months. But I will be getting the weight back down below the GVWR before heading out.

We're heading north in a couple weeks. Mostly I'm wondering about the cheap factory Rainier tires. They are ST 205 14 R75 Radial tires, 6PR Load Range C, 1760 lbs at 50 lbs. That's a combined 7040 lbs, which I have no doubt been exceeding at the camp site.

Has anyone had any experience doing this sort of thing? And yes I would feel better if I had good quality tires!

[rbpru]

Numbers are just numbers until you hit the scales. You could be 1000 lbs. over or you could be from 100 lbs under.

Your trailer was intended to be taken home, loaded for a trip including some amount of water and driven down the road on vacation.

Loaded my "Lite" TT gains about 1200 lbs over the stated Dry weight and we load heavy.

As mentioned the weight limit is far less important for a stationary unit. But an estimated weight is only an estimate. Measure and be sure.

[christopherglen]

The apparent weight of the trailer (from the tires point of view) is far higher bouncing down the road then sitting in an RV park. Other then a slight flat spot which will go away when the tires warm up, no harm done. Assuming you had them covered (sunlight, dogs watering the rims, etc) they are the same as when you parked. Spring sag from constant weight is another matter.

[hohenwald48]

All tires will flat spot if left in one place for many months. Some are worse than others but all do it. They will smooth out as the tires heat up. Shouldn't take more than 15 minutes or so.

[beemerphile1]

allenm wrote:
Thanks for the comments. I noticed a few snow birds in this campground have jacked their rig up enough to slide blocks under the frame and take some weight off the tires and eliminate floor bounce. I'm not going to that extreme, but I am going to replace my 10 month old tires with better ones before next winter's trip. Wonder how long it will take to work the flat spot out of these radials? I've heard driving too fast with flat spots is not good on the tires, either.

Only tires I recall that would flat spot were the old nylon bias ply tires decades ago. It would only take 1 to 3 miles to smooth out. Modern tires do not flat spot.

[beemerphile1]

Exceeding the GVWR when parked is irrelevant unless you are talking double or triple the GVWR.

[lbrjet]

Shouldn't have flat spots after only four months. Next winter put an extra 5 lbs of pressure in the tires after you get to the campground. Also remember that some of your weight is sitting on the tongue, not all on the tires.

[allenm]

Thanks for the comments. I noticed a few snow birds in this campground have jacked their rig up enough to slide blocks under the frame and take some weight off the tires and eliminate floor bounce. I'm not going to that extreme, but I am going to replace my 10 month old tires with better ones before next winter's trip. Wonder how long it will take to work the flat spot out of these radials? I've heard driving too fast with flat spots is not good on the tires, either.

[the_bear_II]

With MayPop tires anything you can do to relieve stress on the tires will help to delay or prevent the possible self destruction. Proper tire pressure, covers when parked, properly sized blocks under the tires when leveling, jack stands or stabilizers to ease the load, inspection of the tires before each trip...etc all will help.

[ktmrfs]

my understanding is that the max weight is when it is being towed. going over that when at a campsite is IMHO no big deal at all. We do that virtually EVERY campout, after 5 years, close to 300 days of camping and hasn't caused any issues at all.

[samhain7]

I think with water, a lot of people would be sitting heave at the campsite. I know I am.....

[fla-gypsy]

With the stabilizers down and the trailer static I see no harm in exceeding GVWR. Rolling is another matter

[dave17352]

I say no big deal overloaded just sitting there. You may have crappy tires. I know I did on my 5th wheel. I even got them to pay half the cost of replacing them. If tires are no good replace them. Just search the web on the make and model of your tires. I am sure you will get some info. JMHO

[3oaks]

I couldn't say good or bad, harm or no harm done by over loading the gvwr by a 1000# in such situation. However I have read on this forum and elsewhere, how trailers are built with a minimal amount of spring support in the suspension resulting in sagging and eventually broken springs when loaded to the gvwr limit. I personally would have some concern about making a habit of having a trailer overloaded that much and sitting for long periods. :@

[downtheroad]

Not sure what you are asking....but obviously being 1000 lbs over weight (your estimate) is not good.

How old are the tires? - manufacturer date?
My opinion, I think you have abused already suspect cheap (Chinese) tires and before you head out I'd replace them. I'm guessing that you already have that feeling, but are looking for someone to say that you are ok not doing so.
I could be wrong, but as they say....I'm just sayin'.

Good luck with you decision.