Real world weight sticky?

[jerryleejr]

If this has been asked and answered I apologize for not being able to find it.
But could we start a sticky thread for people to list the real world weight of their camper that have used a scale? I think it would be helpful and save a lot of repeat posts. I know there’s a lot of variables with options etc but I’ve found in my own research using manufactures dry weight and adding the usual 1000 pounds of stuff isn’t close when I find someone that’s went to the scales....

JJ

[Buzzcut1]

2011 F350 Diesel 4x4 CC DRW long bed with a lance 1055 in the bed, full tank of diesel, 38 gallons of freshwater, two full propane tanks, food gear, two kayak on the roof, two mt bikes on the rack, 2 adults and 3 dogs. Weight fees paid to 15,000

[Bedlam]

My Ram 5500 is typically about 11,500 lbs before I add the camper and trailer to it. Roughly 600 lbs of this weight are my battery banks that I carry in the lower enclosed boxes. The Ram has a steel 9' deck and six steel boxes plus goose neck, double receiver and extension that all are counted in this weight.

My Host Mammoth is over 4700 lbs dry and closer to 6000 lbs when filled and stocked. 500 lbs is easily just in water.

My enclosed trailer is 3500 lbs empty and typically loaded between 6000-8000 lbs with 1000 lbs of tongue weight added to the rear truck axle even when using a WDH on my 42" extension.

My vehicle GVW is 17,500-18,500 lbs and GCW is 17,500-25,500 lbs depending on the configured setup at the time. All these actual weights are within the printed ratings, but still pretty close to maximum even in a Class 5 truck.

[jimh406]

But, remember Truck Camper Magazine only includes advertiser brands, plus for most people, it would be way out of date since only a few people buy the newest models.

[towpro]

there sort of already is.
Truck Camper magazine
click on buyers guide, but the rest is good reading as well.

[thedavidzoo]

srschang wrote:
2019 Northstar 12 STC

Mfg base dry weight without options - 3176
Weighed as delivered dry to the dealer - 3330
Wet weight sticker on camper (includes 40 gallons water and 40# propane) - 3610
Weighed fully loaded for camping, including water, propane, fridge full, clothes, everything - 4740

So water, propane, clothes, full fridge, everything ready to camp adds 1410 to the camper weight

Since the water and propane weigh 360, personal stuff weighs 1050 - I guess the universal estimate is pretty spot on for me.

We have the '17 Northstar 12 STC and our weights are nearly identical to yours.

TOTAL DRY with options 3440
H2O & Propane 420
Rigging (torklift, bedmat, etc.) 170
Upgraded solar, inverter, cables, etc. 310
Total WET + Rigged 4340

Tools, toys, food, clothes for 4 people
depending on length/scope of trip 400-475

Grand total wet and stuff 4740-4815

So, the universal 1000lbs for "stuff" roughly applies for us also.

[JimK-NY]

QCMan wrote:
Maybe we should start writing to RVIA and getting them to make the manufacturers post only gvwr and carrying capacity with no tongue weight in their brochures instead of the bogus "dry weight and tongue weight" that they advertise now......

Maybe but this thread is about truck campers not trailers.

[QCMan]

Maybe we should start writing to RVIA and getting them to make the manufacturers post only gvwr and carrying capacity with no tongue weight in their brochures instead of the bogus "dry weight and tongue weight" that they advertise now. They seem to be open to rational ideas as they have mandated tires that have a safety margin and now all lengths have to be real instead of some imaginary number. Perfect example of that is in my experience. Had a Forest River Mini Lite 2305 that was just over 25' bumper to hitch. My Keystone Cougar 22RBS is just shy of 27' overall. Go figure how that was calculated!
Maybe making buyers subtract the carrying capability will help with good decisions. The current method gives an initial idea of much lighter weight than is true. Will my Subaru pull this 29' trailer seems to be asked way too often.

[JimK-NY]

Based on the thread so far there seem to be some common issues that a new buyer needs to consider.

1. Be sure that the manufacturer's specs actually apply to your camper and include the weight of accessories, upgrades, etc.

2. Add weight for any mods needed for your truck such as supersprings, airbags, tiedown mounts, fastguns, bedliner, blocks needed for lift the camper, leveling blocks, etc. These are likely to total at least 300# and can be considerably more.

3. Include any accessories you add such as mattress upgrades, extra battery, solar and/or generator, extension cords (I carry a 100' 12 gauge, 3 wire which is really heavy), air compressor, BBQ grill, tools, hardware/supplies, dump hose, water hose.

4. Add in roughly 1000# for personal items. That may sound high but a lot is included: food (really heavy if you stock for many days or extended use), bottled drinks, pots/pans/plates/etc, clothing, extra boots, bedding, and small personal items such as cameras, laptops and the like. If your personal items include anything unusual or heavy add extra for those items.

You are likely to find that if you add the weights for the truck, passengers, and wet weight for your actual camper, you will be about 2000# short of the actual weight. Roughly 1000# will be for items 2 and 3 above and another 1000# for item 4. It all adds up in a hurry.

[jimh406]

Take a look at this thread for some weights of trucks/loaded up.

https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/29012882/print/true.cfm

[jerryleejr]

billsnp5 wrote:
I think that might be a good idea to have a sticky. I have already weighted my new truck. We are loading everything tomorrow for a first trip and I plan on weighing the complete rig with boat. I will post my real world weights after weighing,

Yeah I’m interested in the cascade weight I’m guessing at least 5K...

JJ

[specta]

I weighed my truck a few blocks from where I bought my camper and again after buying and loading the camper.

Camper weight in brochure - 2826 lbs
Truck empty - 6580 lbs
Truck and camper - 9840
Camper - 3260 - some water and LP.
Camper loaded ready to camp - 3960
700 lbs added. Its just me that I need to pack for.

[billsnp5]

I think that might be a good idea to have a sticky. I have already weighted my new truck. We are loading everything tomorrow for a first trip and I plan on weighing the complete rig with boat. I will post my real world weights after weighing,

[srschang]

Yeah and I think there’s quite a few owners that did their due diligence before purchase and still got a shock first trip to the scales....

Yep, I was one of them. I knew before I bought it the wet weight would be 3610. I figured 600 or so pounds of "stuff". Perfect, would put me a bit below the GVWR of 4342. How could I ever add 600 pounds in "Stuff" Hah!

What did we add:
4 solar panels & wiring
2 Lithium batteries & wiring
2000w inverter & wiring
Transfer switch
Subpanel to isolate fridge & converter from inverter
Roof vent covers for the two vent fans
A very heavy mattress topper, sheets, blankets, pillows
32" tv & swivel bracket
Flush water for the cassette toilet
Towels & washcloths
Clothes, shoes, hiking boots
A few(?) bottles of booze
Filled the fridge & freezer, esp. heavy cans & bottles
Lots of canned food
Pots, pans, dishes, glasses, silverware
Keurig coffee maker
Toaster
30A power cord + 30A extension cord
Water hose & extension water hose
Sewer hose + extension sewer hose & tubes to store them
Charcoal and grill
Lawn chairs
Fishing rods, waders, vest
Tools, spare batteries, safety kit

The list goes on and on. No one item weighs a lot, but add them all up....

Scott

[JIMNLIN]

Many TC owners may weigh their combo on the way home after purchasing it. Then load the truck/camper and re weigh ...then say their camper weighs xxxx amount.
Some folks like myself carry a gawd awful lot of junk (weight) in the truck which gave a false camper weight.