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How much weight are you carry


alan0043

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Hi Everyone,

 

I need a little help. How much added weight are you carrying in your trailer. I don 't want to know your total weight but the total weight of your supplies, tools, clothes, and anything else that you carry in your trailer. By doing this I can get a pretty good average what the extra weight in my trailer would be. This question is probably best to be answered by the folks that have weighted their trailers empty then added there supplies and etc.. I am thinking you could have added from 1500 to 2000 lbs.. This is just a guess. I am trying to figure out what my trailer total weight could be. My trailer needs new tires and I want to see what kind of total weight that I have. I have pulled the trailer only once. There was only a few things that I put in the trailer. Maybe 500lbs. total at best. I had two blow outs on my first trip. I do not want to go thru that again. The more the numbers that I can get the better the average number will be. Or I could use the max number that I get for my calculations.

 

All input is welcomed,

Al

2012 Volvo VNL 630 w/ I-Shift; D13 engine; " Veeger "
  Redwood, model 3401R ; 5th Wheel Trailer, " Dead Wood "
    2006 Smart Car " Killer Frog "
 

 

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Like it or not, the correct answer is to get your loaded trailer weighed by each wheel. Only that will give you the tire loads your have.

 

Any calculations can miss over loaded wheels. On large trailer, there can be a 1000 lbs difference between the left and right sides of the trailer.

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Back before New Horizons redid their website and replaced a lot of really useful information with mostly marketing fluff, they had the following - FWIW.

 

 

 

WHAT IS THE APPROXIMATE WEIGHT OF PERSONAL CARGO?

Following is a list of what might be logical for a full-timer to carry. It is probably on the heavy side. Most RVers do not carry a full tank of fresh water (or any water) in their holding tanks.

50 gallons fresh water 400 lbs
25 gallons water in holding tank 200 lbs
50 16-oz. cans of food 50 lbs
Meat and eggs 100 lbs
Milk and juice 15 lbs
Soft drinks and beer 25 lbs
Miscellaneous other food 50 lbs
Dishes, silverware, glassware, and pans 150 lbs
Books and magazines 50 lbs
TV & DVD/VCR 40 lbs
Computer and supplies 60 lbs
Shoes (8 pair at 2 lbs) 16 lbs
Toaster and coffee maker 8 lbs
Clothing and coats 300 lbs
Bedding and towels 100 lbs
Personal items (make-up, shampoo, etc.) 20 lbs.
Lawn chairs 40 lbs
Charcoal equipment 60 lbs
Tools 60 lbs
Blocks, chains, etc. 50 lbs
Extra recliner 80 lbs
Miscellaneous 500 lbs

TOTAL 2374 lbs

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I agree with Mark above. I have no interest in what my 5W weighs unloaded. It's been weighted over the years by RVSEF and Escapee's Smart Weight a few times to ensure I understand it's weight by tire so I can ensure the suspension system, especially tires, can carry the load. Greg

Greg & Judy Bahnmiller
Class of 2007
2014 F350
2007 HitchHiker Champagne

Both sold 2/19, settled in Foley, AL after 12 years on the road

http://bahnmilleradventure.blogspot.com/

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We weigh 15k empty. Last time I weighed loaded for six months in AZ it was 18.5k. (Gross weight is 20k.) That included about 40 gals. of fresh water. I carry all my tools in the truck.

Dennis & Nancy
Tucson, AZ in winter, on the road in summer.

1999 Volvo 610 "Bud" 425 HP Volvo, Super 10 spd.
2005 Mountain Aire 35 BLKS
2013 smart fortwo CityFlame riding on Bud
(Replaced '05 smart first loaded in '06

and '11 smart that gave it's life to save me!)
Our Travel Blog

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Hi Everyone,

 

I want to "Thank" everyone for their info. If I use 2000 to 2500 lbs. for my supplies and miscellaneous stuff then the weight of the trailer and the supplies I am about 17,120 to 17,720 lbs. total weight . To me I have over loaded my tires. I need to move up to 17.5" wheels with the correct tire. I'm I on the right path ? Sixteen inch tire times four would be ( 4 x 3750 = 15000 lbs ) a total of 15,000lbs. The 17.5" tires could hold ( 4 X 4805 = 19,220 lbs ) for a total of 19,220 lbs.. I can understand that the best way would be to weigh the trailer with all the supplies. But this can not happen at the present time. I have no idea of what I would need for the trailer or for the travels ahead. I want to error on the side of safety. Does this sound correct ?

 

Please keep the info coming in,

Al

2012 Volvo VNL 630 w/ I-Shift; D13 engine; " Veeger "
  Redwood, model 3401R ; 5th Wheel Trailer, " Dead Wood "
    2006 Smart Car " Killer Frog "
 

 

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Alan, you need to remember how much pin weight you have. Even pulling thru a Cat scale hooked up, then the truck alone can give you good info. We have approx 3300lbs of stuff on board at any given time. That includes about 50 gal of fresh water, grocery's, etc. but remember that we are fulltime too.

If you move to 17.5 tires and wheels, you won't have any further issues. I'm willing to bet that the tires that blew were also on the old side, 5-7 years old. If they had sat for several years unused, chances are the tires had deteriorated inside, although the outside looked fine.

Alie & Jim + 8 paws

2017 DRV Memphis 

BART- 1998 Volvo 610

Lil'ole 6cyl Cummins

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From my experience with Goodyear 16" G rated tires and 17.5" H rated Goodyear tires you will not go wrong with H rated tires. We are on our second set of GY G114 H rated tires with zero problems and over 43K miles. Greg

Greg & Judy Bahnmiller
Class of 2007
2014 F350
2007 HitchHiker Champagne

Both sold 2/19, settled in Foley, AL after 12 years on the road

http://bahnmilleradventure.blogspot.com/

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Alan, you are missing a couple of other key numbers along with pin weight. What is the maximum rated gross load on the trailer and what are your axles rated for?

 

If you use your numbers and put all the weight on the axled you would need 10000# axles which is not likely what you have. While it is good to get tires that can handle more capacity than the axles make sure you always use the weakest link for your real maximums. Tire pressure, tire condition, speed, outside temperature are all other factors when having tire problems but overloading is probably the worst.

2005 Freightliner Century S/T, Singled, Air ride ET Jr. hitch
2019 46'+ Dune Sport Man Cave custom 5th wheel toy hauler
Owner of the 1978 Custom Van "Star Dreamer" which might be seen at a local car show near you!

 

Check out http://www.hhrvresource.com/

for much more info on HDT's.

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Alan, you are missing a couple of other key numbers along with pin weight. What is the maximum rated gross load on the trailer and what are your axles rated for?

 

If you use your numbers and put all the weight on the axled you would need 10000# axles which is not likely what you have. While it is good to get tires that can handle more capacity than the axles make sure you always use the weakest link for your real maximums. Tire pressure, tire condition, speed, outside temperature are all other factors when having tire problems but overloading is probably the worst.

 

Hi Dave,

 

Where do I find the axle rating at ? The trailer has a MORryde suspension. Is there anything stamped to the axles ?

 

Thanks,

Al

2012 Volvo VNL 630 w/ I-Shift; D13 engine; " Veeger "
  Redwood, model 3401R ; 5th Wheel Trailer, " Dead Wood "
    2006 Smart Car " Killer Frog "
 

 

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In 2005 I weighed my fiver on the way home from the dealer. It weighed 12,100 # which included the 1,920# pin weight. Loaded for a 2 month cross country trip it weighed 14,069# which included the 2,680# pin weight. Four years later it had "gained" weight to 14,900# with a 2,900# pin weight.

Chuck & Lola
WV
Retired USCG

2013 Ford F450/2013 Lifestyle 37RESL

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Hi Dave,

 

Where do I find the axle rating at ? The trailer has a MORryde suspension. Is there anything stamped to the axles ?

 

Thanks,

Al

On our trailer there is a tag on the side of the trailer with the axle ratings.

2005 Freightliner Century S/T, Singled, Air ride ET Jr. hitch
2019 46'+ Dune Sport Man Cave custom 5th wheel toy hauler
Owner of the 1978 Custom Van "Star Dreamer" which might be seen at a local car show near you!

 

Check out http://www.hhrvresource.com/

for much more info on HDT's.

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On our trailer there is a tag on the side of the trailer with the axle ratings.

 

Hi Dave,

 

I found the tag. It was inside the pantry. The following is some of the info that I found. GAWR 8000 front, GAWR 8000 rear. The GVWR 18,750 lbs.

 

Thanks for the help,

Al

2012 Volvo VNL 630 w/ I-Shift; D13 engine; " Veeger "
  Redwood, model 3401R ; 5th Wheel Trailer, " Dead Wood "
    2006 Smart Car " Killer Frog "
 

 

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The Federal Certification Label should have been outside somewhere on the front Driver side. On the nose or near propane compartment or pinbox

The inside sticker is usually the cargo carrying capacity sticker.

If there is a federal certification label outside what are the numbers on this sticker? Same or different?

 

What year model is the trailer?

What is the tire size indicated on the sticker AND what is the tire size from the sidewall of the tire, if different?

215/75R17.5 or something like LT235/85R16

From the sidewall of the tire what is the max load single and dual with associated psi?

What is the tire brand and model?

Susan & Trey Selman | email | HDT: '01 770 VED12 | 5er: '02 40' Travel Supreme RLTSOA | '16 Piaggio MP3 500 | '15 Smart Cabrio | Personal Blog | HHRV Resource Guide | HHRV Campgrounds | Recreation Vehicle Safety & Education Foundation |

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The Federal Certification Label should have been outside somewhere on the front Driver side. On the nose or near propane compartment or pinbox

The inside sticker is usually the cargo carrying capacity sticker.

If there is a federal certification label outside what are the numbers on this sticker? Same or different?

 

What year model is the trailer?

What is the tire size indicated on the sticker AND what is the tire size from the sidewall of the tire, if different?

215/75R17.5 or something like LT235/85R16

From the sidewall of the tire what is the max load single and dual with associated psi?

What is the tire brand and model?

 

Hi Trey,

 

I found the sticker. It was in the center of the trailer under the over hang.

 

1.) 2007 New Horizon Summit

2.) tire size LT235/85R16

3.) tire pressure 110 psi

4.) Goodyear G614

 

Thanks for your help,

Al

2012 Volvo VNL 630 w/ I-Shift; D13 engine; " Veeger "
  Redwood, model 3401R ; 5th Wheel Trailer, " Dead Wood "
    2006 Smart Car " Killer Frog "
 

 

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Does the GAWR on the outside sticker match the inside (8000 lbs)?

 

Are the tires sizes you gave from the sticker and from the actual tire?

 

It is important to know if there are differences to know what has been done and what to do.

 

Is the tire size on the sticker the same as the tire sidewall or does the sticker say something else like ST235/8....16

is the GAWR the same (8000 lbs) on the outside sticker?

The outside sticker is the important sticker to know what was originally on the trailer.

Susan & Trey Selman | email | HDT: '01 770 VED12 | 5er: '02 40' Travel Supreme RLTSOA | '16 Piaggio MP3 500 | '15 Smart Cabrio | Personal Blog | HHRV Resource Guide | HHRV Campgrounds | Recreation Vehicle Safety & Education Foundation |

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Does the GAWR on the outside sticker match the inside (8000 lbs)?

 

Are the tires sizes you gave from the sticker and from the actual tire?

 

It is important to know if there are differences to know what has been done and what to do.

 

Is the tire size on the sticker the same as the tire sidewall or does the sticker say something else like ST235/8....16

is the GAWR the same (8000 lbs) on the outside sticker?

The outside sticker is the important sticker to know what was originally on the trailer.

1. Does the GAWR on the outside sticker match the inside (8000 lbs)? YES

2. Are the tires sizes you gave from the sticker and from the actual tire? YES

3.Is the tire size on the sticker the same as the tire sidewall or does the sticker say something else like ST235/8....16 .. They are the same. LT235/85R16

4. is the GAWR the same (8000 lbs) on the outside sticker? YES. The outside sticker and the inside sticker are the same.

 

I believe that the trailer when I bought it used was as the factory built it. I hope this info helps.

 

Thanks for your help,

Al

2012 Volvo VNL 630 w/ I-Shift; D13 engine; " Veeger "
  Redwood, model 3401R ; 5th Wheel Trailer, " Dead Wood "
    2006 Smart Car " Killer Frog "
 

 

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Thanks Al

This is a little complicated to explain but the jest is that it would be a good thought to consider going to 17.5 inch tires in this instance.

This trailer should have 17.5" tires with a capacity of 4805 lbs. per tire installed to properly cover the GAWR.

The current tires have a capacity of 7500 lbs. per axle and since the tires are a component of the axle assembly this component is not sufficient (-500 lbs.) to carry the assigned Weight Rating of 8000 lbs.

 

It is impossibe to know for sure if there is a real problem unless weights are measured, but it is very possible that these current tires were near or exceeding their capacity.

 

The blow outs may have been from old tires but knowing these facts also makes it suspicious that weight might have been a significant contributing factor.

 

No matter what the cause of the blowouts, the best thing to make the Trailer compliant with the rating would be to install 17.5" (215/75R75) with a single max load of 4805 lbs. This should also give good peace of mind and let you enjoy RVing.

Susan & Trey Selman | email | HDT: '01 770 VED12 | 5er: '02 40' Travel Supreme RLTSOA | '16 Piaggio MP3 500 | '15 Smart Cabrio | Personal Blog | HHRV Resource Guide | HHRV Campgrounds | Recreation Vehicle Safety & Education Foundation |

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I think and I could be very wrong. manufactures size tires and axles assuming the pin will take some of the weight off them. I am guessing anywhere from 10 to 20 percent and so you see what seems to be if looking placard numbers it appears they are not up to the task. Let me clarify that they pobably are in real life I am only talking about placard ratings of axles and tires.

 

Don't shoot me it is a thought I have!!! :blink:

2019 Thor Chateau 28E on a Ford E450 chassis. Maybe awhile but will get a new picture forgive one up there it is my old rig.

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