Weight your Rig You maybe Surprized

[B and B]

Originally Posted by Oaklevel

Sorry but no it does not give anything but what it started at........ During the shopping process I want to know gross not empty from the factory........... My 14,500 gross weight of the trailer means more to me than where it started at 9200. I want to know If my truck can pull it loaded at 14500 not if if it can pull it empty at 9200...... Dry weight is not that important.

I have to agree with Oaklevel. The gross weight and calculate the pin weight should be deciding factors. The DW and I were looking at a Columbus 325RL GVWR 13,800 Pin at full CCC estimate would be 2,200. We have enough payload for this trailer should we decide to upgrade. Some heavy things we won't have is Washer and Dryer. We would move the same gear over to the new trailer. Just looking for outside kitchen and more storage bay space for lawn chairs and rear rack for the generator, taking this from truck box.

[CWSWine]

Originally Posted by utahlucky

Does it indicate, from fellow campers, I might be overloaded?

A while back I would say you go to go with that weight but after thinking I had lot of margin I would say put on the scales and see if the front and rear weights are over the GVWR. A lots of truck stops have scales and worth the 10.00 price tag for piece of mind.

[CWSWine]

Originally Posted by B and B

I have to agree with Oaklevel. The gross weight and calculate the pin weight should be deciding factors. The DW and I were looking at a Columbus 325RL GVWR 13,800 Pin at full CCC estimate would be 2,200. We have enough payload for this trailer should we decide to upgrade. Some heavy things we won't have is Washer and Dryer. We would move the same gear over to the new trailer. Just looking for outside kitchen and more storage bay space for lawn chairs and rear rack for the generator, taking this from truck box.

I'm not sure where you get you pin numbers?

20% of 13,800 is pin weight is 2760 lbs
25% of 13,800 is pin weight is 3,450 lbs

20% of the dry weight of 10654 is 2343 lbs.

Anything less that 20% is to light for safe towing. You said in another thread that 2350?? on the Yellow tag on your truck which doesn't included hitch, passengers, fuel and etc. If you could take 2760 pin weight your truck weight would have to 7,240 lbs loaded and ready to go camping and I would guess that it's really close to 8,000 just like my diesel 3/4 truck was or 8,200 like my 1 ton. With the floor plan you are looking at I bet the pin weight would be lot closer to 22% or 23% of trailer weight just like mine is.

With my 315RST on my 3/4 ton truck I was really close to my rear axle max weight limit. My unload rear axle was at 3250 and with the trailer attached it was 5960 that was not loaded to go camping so a pin weight of 3,000 put it 50 lbs over rear axle weight.

I suggest you put you truck on scales loaded as you going camping and get the front axle weight + rear axle weight - 10,000 GVWR = That's really CCC of the truck and take all the guess work out it. If you dealer told you something different then he is wrong - the scales tell the truth and only way to verify your true CCC for any give configuration. Just to make sure check you truck title and make sure it does say 10,000 GVWR since that is the only legal document give max your truck can weigh.

If still don't think that correct stop by highway scales and ask the attendant that weights trucks for living - I did and got ear full.

Just trying to make sure when or if you scale the truck and RV you won't be like me and be 780 lbs over CCC.

My 1 ton has a yellow tag weight of 3744 but putting on the scales as it sits today with just me in the truck it 3,280 CCC. My 3/4 ton truck yellow tag was 2475 and with just me in the truck the it was right at 2,000 CCC
.

[CWSWine]

B and B

Found my weight slip -- The image attached is my weight slip for weighing my 3/4 ton truck with 315RST (33 foot 5th wheel). It was just my wife in the truck and the RV and just had the basic that we always keep in the 5th wheel. There was couple chairs, small gas grill, hoses in the basement small plastic carpet. Nothing in the bed room and no washer/dryer. truck bed was empty with 26 gallons of diesel and all water tanks empty. I added less than 1700 lbs from dry weight.

The trailer weight was 11,600 lbs
Truck without 5th wheel attached.
Truck front axle was 4700
Truck rear axle was 3200

As you can see on the weight slip I could exceed the Rear Axle Limits of 6200 lbs packed ready to go camping.

if you added Scale #1 and Scale #2 you will see if you add them together which is the truck GWVR is 10,740 and my max that listed on my truck title is 10,000 so I'm over by 740lbs

I now own 1 ton truck - problem solved with 11,500 GVWR and 7180 max rear axle weight.

[Tonkatoy77]

Originally Posted by Oaklevel

This question is to the OP. and something to think about. In Virginia you have to register the trailer (camper) by what it can haul. "Gross Weight", I do not know about other states. If there was an accident and no scale weight would not the courts go by what the trailer is registered for or its gross weight and if the truck is capable of 7000 lbs and the gross weight of the trailer was 9000 lbs. Is not the owner in deep poo poo...............

In Oregon we pay by length of the trailer.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by CWSWine

Anything less that 20% is to light for safe towing.

I don't think that's an accurate statement. My camper's advertised dry pin weight is 16-17%. My normal loaded pin weight ran 17-19%.

My current pin weight loaded super heavy (i.e. moved out of my house, put everything we didn't take with us into storage, and are in the camper for a year+ long trip) has me currently at 16.4%.

It's a little bouncier- especially with the new pin box. I plan on readjusting weight a bit, but there's no chance I'll end up at or over 20%.

----

As for part of the OP, I've yet to read a first-person account of someone being ticketed (or having insurance woes) for being over the truck's (or even camper's) published weight ratings (in a non-commercial scenario). I've seen posts/comments about fines for the wrong license and registration for the weights (which use GVWR); but never anything first-hand for being over a truck's stickers.

And that's coming from someone who fully believes that I should be within my published ratings for truck + camper. I've weighed a variety of times and know where my weights fall.

[CWSWine]

Originally Posted by ependydad

I don't think that's an accurate statement. My camper's advertised dry pin weight is 16-17%. My normal loaded pin weight ran 17-19%.

My current pin weight loaded super heavy (i.e. moved out of my house, put everything we didn't take with us into storage, and are in the camper for a year+ long trip) has me currently at 16.4%.

It's a little bouncier- especially with the new pin box. I plan on readjusting weight a bit, but there's no chance I'll end up at or over 20%.

----

As for part of the OP, I've yet to read a first-person account of someone being ticketed (or having insurance woes) for being over the truck's (or even camper's) published weight ratings (in a non-commercial scenario). I've seen posts/comments about fines for the wrong license and registration for the weights (which use GVWR); but never anything first-hand for being over a truck's stickers.

And that's coming from someone who fully believes that I should be within my published ratings for truck + camper. I've weighed a variety of times and know where my weights fall.

My hitch talks about pin weight "Should Be" between 20% and 25% of trailer weight for safe operation. I have heard of less than 20% that have control problem they solved by adding water to tanks that were forward of the axles or loaded more forward to get the pin up. My Cougar 28SGS with rear fresh water tanks were full rode like bronco but empty it rode fine.

Floor plan also effects pin weights. A friends toy hauler with the back empty has pin win close to 4,000 lbs but with his three wheel Harley in the back has pin weight of just over 3,000 lbs. Gross weights go up but pin weight went down.

IF you do a Google search for "Lawyers over weight RV accidents" or "RV Accident Lawyers" you see pages of lawyers with ads that will take the case of a over weight RVs and some examples. I agree I have never heard of one either but how many people brag about being sued.

[Oaklevel]

It would be hard to prove your actual weight if parts of the TV or trailer are spread over the highway after an accident. Also would be hard to prove without a set of portable scales. The truth is there are not enough DOT portable scales to go around & there is more interest ($ & safety) getting 18 wheeler s that weigh 80K plus that are overweight off the roads.

[Oaklevel]

Wish I had a pic but if you were pulling a big camper with a Duelly Ford Ranger.........that might raise some eyes along the way.....& what would the capacity be........... There is a duelly Ford Ranger running around here

[CWSWine]

Originally Posted by Oaklevel

It would be hard to prove your actual weight if parts of the TV or trailer are spread over the highway after an accident. Also would be hard to prove without a set of portable scales. The truth is there are not enough DOT portable scales to go around & there is more interest ($ & safety) getting 18 wheeler s that weigh 80K plus that are overweight off the roads.

I guess it would be the lawyer’s job to prove that RV max weight exceeds the capabilities of the TV. I guess it would be your responsibility to prove that the RV wasn’t loaded to the max. Who ever does the best job of convincing the Judge or Jury wins. Both lawyers make boatload of money. End of story.

[Oaklevel]

Originally Posted by CWSWine

I guess it would be the lawyer’s job to prove that RV max weight exceeds the capabilities of the TV. I guess it would be your responsibility to prove that the RV wasn’t loaded to the max. Who ever does the best job of convincing the Judge or Jury wins. Both lawyers make boatload of money. End of story.

Very true !!!!

A great attorney (what ever that is )Locally....... Got a lady off because the Commonwealth's Attorney (Prosecutor) couldn't prove the big yellow thing with red lights that she blew by its stop sign & hit a child met the state's definition of a school bus..... He also got a young persons (25 year old) off, "not guilty" the police had his fingerprints from the inside of our friends RV.
Can't imagine him doing badly in a civil case

[CWSWine]

Here is a guy with the same problem I had and did a video explaining his numbers...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hF1HMi3Fs8

[B and B]

Originally Posted by ependydad

I don't think that's an accurate statement. My camper's advertised dry pin weight is 16-17%. My normal loaded pin weight ran 17-19%.

My current pin weight loaded super heavy (i.e. moved out of my house, put everything we didn't take with us into storage, and are in the camper for a year+ long trip) has me currently at 16.4%.

It's a little bouncier- especially with the new pin box. I plan on readjusting weight a bit, but there's no chance I'll end up at or over 20%.

----

As for part of the OP, I've yet to read a first-person account of someone being ticketed (or having insurance woes) for being over the truck's (or even camper's) published weight ratings (in a non-commercial scenario). I've seen posts/comments about fines for the wrong license and registration for the weights (which use GVWR); but never anything first-hand for being over a truck's stickers.

And that's coming from someone who fully believes that I should be within my published ratings for truck + camper. I've weighed a variety of times and know where my weights fall.

I agree with Doug on this as well. The pin weight does not have to be by the book at 20% or 25%. I can change my pin weight filling the water tank, which I have done. Amazing what 300 lbs behind the axle can do. Did it all the time with the F 150 and also only had half a tank of gas to shed payload. For the most part I ran 17% to 20%. Now that I have the F 250 I don't really care as long as I am not overweight which I am not. I still have combined TV /TT Gross of 6,000 lbs available. The pin weight of the trailer we looked at was 17.7% dry weight at 1970 lbs. By the time I put the generator on the rear cargo deck, load up the trailer with the gear we have, we do have everything we need my pin weight will be within the published limits on my truck.

[B and B]

Originally Posted by CWSWine

I'm not sure where you get you pin numbers?

20% of 13,800 is pin weight is 2760 lbs
25% of 13,800 is pin weight is 3,450 lbs

20% of the dry weight of 10654 is 2343 lbs.

Anything less that 20% is to light for safe towing. You said in another thread that 2350?? on the Yellow tag on your truck which doesn't included hitch, passengers, fuel and etc. If you could take 2760 pin weight your truck weight would have to 7,240 lbs loaded and ready to go camping and I would guess that it's really close to 8,000 just like my diesel 3/4 truck was or 8,200 like my 1 ton. With the floor plan you are looking at I bet the pin weight would be lot closer to 22% or 23% of trailer weight just like mine is.

With my 315RST on my 3/4 ton truck I was really close to my rear axle max weight limit. My unload rear axle was at 3250 and with the trailer attached it was 5960 that was not loaded to go camping so a pin weight of 3,000 put it 50 lbs over rear axle weight.

I suggest you put you truck on scales loaded as you going camping and get the front axle weight + rear axle weight - 10,000 GVWR = That's really CCC of the truck and take all the guess work out it. If you dealer told you something different then he is wrong - the scales tell the truth and only way to verify your true CCC for any give configuration. Just to make sure check you truck title and make sure it does say 10,000 GVWR since that is the only legal document give max your truck can weigh.

If still don't think that correct stop by highway scales and ask the attendant that weights trucks for living - I did and got ear full.

Just trying to make sure when or if you scale the truck and RV you won't be like me and be 780 lbs over CCC.

My 1 ton has a yellow tag weight of 3744 but putting on the scales as it sits today with just me in the truck it 3,280 CCC. My 3/4 ton truck yellow tag was 2475 and with just me in the truck the it was right at 2,000 CCC
.

My estimate for pin weight is the dry pin weight adding the weight I carry currently with a fully loaded trailer on my pin. The only thing that changes from dry weight is stuff.

I am not sure where were you get this less than 20% safe for towing statement. It is not the law, it is advised. Same as in Canada they advise you in over half the cover the package of smokes it can harm you but it is your choice to take up the habit. Not a law but advised not to do it.

As far as scales, yes I do this often. In fact before I went out on the first trip i did go to the scales fully loaded and did all the calculations and know exactly where I stand.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by B and B

I agree with Doug on this as well. The pin weight does not have to be by the book at 20% or 25%.

I got stuck on the implications that it isn't safe to be outside of the 20-25% range. I think that's an over-generalization.

Suggested? Yes. Realistic? Not always. Unsafe? I don't think so.

There is little to nothing I can do to get to/over 20%. I was already carrying 2/3-3/4 of a tank of fresh water and my water heater was full (both in front of my axles) and next to no fluids in the waste tanks.

And the OP made my point- I have still yet to hear of a first-person account of an RVer who was ticketed/sued for being overweight. I have yet to see any laws on the books that say non-commercial RVers must be within the truck's (or even camper's) rated specs (outside of licensing and registration requirements).

[mud yapster]

I had to upgrade my SRW 1 ton to a DRW 1 ton when we got our big triple axle. The SRW just wasn't rated enough even though it had no problems towing the load. To many people are over loaded but don't know it or they just add air bags to level the rear of there tow truck thinking that fixes the problem which it doesn't. Good video for those having trouble figuring out the maze of towing.

[CWSWine]

Originally Posted by B and B

I agree with Doug on this as well. The pin weight does not have to be by the book at 20% or 25%. I can change my pin weight filling the water tank, which I have done. Amazing what 300 lbs behind the axle can do. Did it all the time with the F 150 and also only had half a tank of gas to shed payload. For the most part I ran 17% to 20%. Now that I have the F 250 I don't really care as long as I am not overweight which I am not. I still have combined TV /TT Gross of 6,000 lbs available. The pin weight of the trailer we looked at was 17.7% dry weight at 1970 lbs. By the time I put the generator on the rear cargo deck, load up the trailer with the gear we have, we do have everything we need my pin weight will be within the published limits on my truck.

Mine specs for RV below from the factory were 1953 pin weight with a gross weight of 9926 and estimated that I would add 1500 lbs ready to go camping and about 300 to 400 lbs of that would go to pin weight which would put me right at my 10,000 GVWR maybe a few lbs over of 3/4 ton truck. Good to go...

Truck Scale weight was - Steer Axle = 4780 - Dive Axle – 3220 Gross 8,000

Truck Manufacture ratings - GVWR 10,000 lbs - CCC 2475 - GVWR front axle = 6000 -GVWR rear axle = 6200 - Rear Tires 6100 lbs

Here is the scale ticket. after loading ZERO weight in the front bedroom, putting stuff under the sink in the bathroom and rest going in the kitchen which is over the RV wheels. Basement has 4 chairs, plastic carpet, power cord and couple adapters and small gas grill water hoses. Wasn't not loaded ready to camping - no bedding, cloths, food, and etc. No water on board and no generator.

B and B using the this info does this trailer exceed the legal limit on this TV? If you believe it exceeds that specs is still safe to tow? Were did I go wrong on paper figuring my pin and gross weights?

PS I had to go in and get them to reset the scales so my 240 lbs body was in the Truck Stop when the RV and Truck was weighed.

[CWSWine]

Originally Posted by ependydad

And the OP made my point- I have still yet to hear of a first-person account of an RVer who was ticketed/sued for being overweight. I have yet to see any laws on the books that say non-commercial RVers must be within the truck's (or even camper's) rated specs (outside of licensing and registration requirements).

Explain why there are hundreds of lawyers that advertise for cases with RV were in a accidents and could be over weight as one of the reasons. Google "lawyers over weight RV" and you see what I'm saying. Just because you or me have not heard one doesn't make it not true.

Personal Vehicle Towing Liability for RV’ers — PersonalInjuryClaimsBlawg

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by CWSWine

... does this trailer exceed the legal limit on this TV ...

Define "legal".

[sail2liv]

With all the numbers in this post, there is very little attention paid to GCWR....why do folks not address this weight first....then address vehicle / trailer weight......then axle weight.....then tire weight......does anyone know the combined weight rating??????