Axle weight rating versus GVWR

[Brettopp]

My 2019 Cherokee Wolf Pup 16BHS has a posted GVWR of 3,877 lbs. The axle's sticker shows a weight rating of 3,500 lbs.

At first I thought this could not be up to code, but then I wondered if this is within weight ratings because subtracting the trailer's hitch weight of 377 lbs from the GVWR in theory leaves 3500 lbs exactly on the axle.

Is my thinking correct, or did Forest River use an under-sized axle for this trailer?

[formerFR]

single axle camper?

[ependydad]

Your thinking is correct. Hitch weight + axle weight = GVWR.

[clr]

X2

[KeithInUpstateNY]

Correct, just remember how you distribute your cargo, an including any water in the holding tanks, determines whether the weight is applied to the hitch or the axle. If too much weight is distributed to the rear of the trailer you could be under your GVWR, but over your axle rating.

[Oaklevel]

Originally Posted by Brettopp

My 2019 Cherokee Wolf Pup 16BHS has a posted GVWR of 3,877 lbs. The axle's sticker shows a weight rating of 3,500 lbs.

At first I thought this could not be up to code, but then I wondered if this is within weight ratings because subtracting the trailer's hitch weight of 377 lbs from the GVWR in theory leaves 3500 lbs exactly on the axle.

Is my thinking correct, or did Forest River use an under-sized axle for this trailer?

No, it looks like forest river exactly sized the axle with no room for error. They did not use an under size axle.

[A32Deuce]

Yes your thinking is correct.

[DocRob]

Your thinking is exactly right but there can still be an issue because the tongue weight may be way off. In my Roo 17 the tongue weight is usually over 500 pounds and so you say but that's on the tongue. Well if you are using a WDH a portion of the weight gets shifted to the axle and the manufacturer doesn't give you much of a margin. You can load the trailer as if going on a trip a d go to the CAT scales to see what the axle is seeing. You may be fine but mine was way overweight.
Best of luck

[Brettopp]

Thanks, all.

Yes, I have a single axle trailer, and I do use a WDH. So, some of the hitch weight does get transferred back to the axle.

My trailer has a 32 gallon fresh water tank which I do fill up prior to heading out dry camping; that takes up approximately 282 lbs of my trailer's cargo weight leaving me with 498 lbs of available cargo weight. Not much, but I would be surprised in our short three or four night trips that we pack much more than 200 lbs of clothing and food (fridge is small so we are limited in what we can take with us in there). So I think we should be okay, but I really need to get to a CAT scale next time we head out to be sure.

[Teetime]

Ditto on the CAT Scale . Sounds like you are doing all the right things. You may also want to check the weight rating on your tires. Manufacturers don't build in much margin.

[Boomerweps]

I have the same trailer. Yes, I crawled under and read the axle tag. You are correct on the tongue weight being added to the axle for the GTWR.
The clothes and food are only part of the cargo. All the nice to have items add up, too. My wife initially loaded the TT out like a vacation home. I had to go through and cut back on all that stuff. I pulled a couple hundred pounds out, took out half the extra chairs, blankets, towels (10# in extra towels), dishes, metal silverware, tools, etc. I also took out 60-80# out of the TV, stopped carrying firewood in the TV. After a few trips, I figured out our drinking/cooking water usage and only took what was needed. We only use home filtered water for that.
On the CAT Scales before removing the above stuff, I was 100# over on both my TV drive axle and the TT axle. That was with the 2008 Explorer. On an even earlier trip before weighing I had probably another 200# in the TV with my grandson and firewood, grossly exceeding its GAWR. Now with the F150, I carry some of the previous TT cargo in the truck bed, folding table, lawn chairs, some of the tools, firewood, sometimes a food cooler, still keep those previous extras out of the TT, and have little worry about exceeding the TT GAWR or my TV GAWR. Still, need another trip to the CAT.

[Brettopp]

Thanks for providing your personal experience with the trailer. We carry maybe 15 lbs of cooking stuff and the aforementioned clothes and food. When we camp, we camp, so no extras like a TV/DVD player, etc. I carry a small bin of firewood, extra propane tank, generator and camp chairs in the back of my truck, so should be okay there. Just surprised FR used an axle that was JUST enough to meet the weight needs with no padding for safety.

[BK Cincy]

I have the same '19 16bhs and I'm upgrading the tires this week. Going with the proven Goodyear Endurance ST215/75/14.

We have the Castle Rock may pops from factory. The GY tires are rated 2200lb each vs 2050lb.

I've been looking at upgrading the axle to the TK 5200 lb but that also involves springs, three wheels, three tires and my afternoons labor.

I also hate that these campers are so close to their limit. We have and Ohio to Grand canyon trip plan in the spring of 2020 and will be loaded with clothes, food, propane, generator, probably close to 4500 pounds total. They should have some margin built in seeing that I'm not going to just tow the camper to a campsite for the weekend. I also have what my family needs to enjoy the trip packed in there.

Even if I have to put $1,000 into an upgraded axle to make it safe camper for long trips, It was affordable enough to buy brand new at $11,900.

I'm planing to swing by a cat scale on our trip this weekend, 6 hour round trip, after I upgrade these stupid tires.

[BK Cincy]

Got our weight slip loaded and on the way out this past weekend.

Posted a pic link but i don't see it.

Steer axle 2750lb
Drive axle 2800lb
Trailer axle 3360lb



We're looking good, had 500lb hitch weight putting total trailer at 3860

Still closer to our 3500lb axle

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by BK Cincy

Got our weight slip loaded and on the way out this past weekend.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/eKKe8wfcFQMjFUN86

We're looking good, had 500lb hitch weight putting total trailer at 3860

Still closer to our 3500lb axle

How do you know you have 500 lbs of to the weight?

[BK Cincy]

Originally Posted by ependydad

How do you know you have 500 lbs of to the weight?

Two bathroom scales and a 4x4. Lol

I did include the E2 WDH and bars on the tongue when weighing.

No water in the tanks, although water heater was prob full. 6x8=48lb

All luggage loaded in the bunk storage and bathroom shower to offset tongue weight.

[BK Cincy]

Idk if that last post is coming back or if it was deleted.

Front axle : 2760lb
Rear axle : 2800lb
Trailer axle : 3360lb

500# tongue weight

Trailer total roughly 3860

2019 Cherokee Wolf Pup 16bhs

Tow vehicle 2015 Toyota Highlander

Fast way e2 trunnion hitch

1/2 tank propane on the tongue

Deep cycle battery on tongue

2 adults in front seats 300#

2 teens in second row 220#

Child in third row 60#

All luggage in camper behind the axle

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by BK Cincy

Two bathroom scales and a 4x4. Lol

I did include the E2 WDH and bars on the tongue when weighing.

No water in the tanks, although water heater was prob full. 6x8=48lb

All luggage loaded in the bunk storage and bathroom shower to offset tongue weight.

That's a perfect way to weigh it!

[tande]

When we talk about "Upgrading" axles/tires/springs to a higher weight rating......do we then not worry about the "Frame" itself not being up to the job, resulting in a failure of some sort?? ......just asking

[BK Cincy]

Originally Posted by tande

When we talk about "Upgrading" axles/tires/springs to a higher weight rating......do we then not worry about the "Frame" itself not being up to the job, resulting in a failure of some sort?? ......just asking

I don't think anyone is wanting to carry much heavier loads, there is just no margin between a standard "load" and the maximum axle capacity. I would feel much safer taking a 3200 mile trip weighing 3360# with a 32% margin on a 5k axle vs a 4% margin on the stock axle.

As far as I know the wolf pup 18TO and 17JG are built on the same frame but carry a 5k lb axle due to the increased dry weight of the slide outs.