Can anyone answer this paradox. My Voltage 3905 has a hitch that is rated for 21k pounds and have three 7k pound axles=21k pounds, yet the weight ratings on the trailer state the the GVWR should never exceed 19k pounds. Why is that? Where did the remaining 2k pounds go?
2011 Chevrolet HD3500 Crew LB DRW
2012 Voltage 3905
2008 Harley Ultra Classic Anniversary Edition
2010 Harley Street Glide
2000 Honda TRX FW 4Wheeler
One Beautiful Wife (34 years)
One Dog (Lab)
One Parrot (the QUEEN)
Uneven loading on the axles, tires rated for less then 3500 lbs each. Rv builder knowing people overload their trailers, and overbuilding it slightly so it survives the warranty period.
I think it has to do with 19K + 7K of truck is the magic 26K to keep people in certain places legal. I load mine up closer to 20K ready for the desert. 162 gallons of water and 60 fuel is almost 2K lbs. I fill those up as close to the camp spot as possible, but for a short while, I am over the sticker GVW, but not the capacity of the tires, wheels, axles, or hitch.
slick50 wrote: Can anyone answer this paradox. My Voltage 3905 has a hitch that is rated for 21k pounds and have three 7k pound axles=21k pounds, yet the weight ratings on the trailer state the the GVWR should never exceed 19k pounds. Why is that? Where did the remaining 2k pounds go?
slick50 wrote: Can anyone answer this paradox. My Voltage 3905 has a hitch that is rated for 21k pounds and have three 7k pound axles=21k pounds, yet the weight ratings on the trailer state the the GVWR should never exceed 19k pounds. Why is that? Where did the remaining 2k pounds go?
Did you check the tires?
The factory tire ratings on my 3795 exceed the 7k axle rating.
christopherglenn wrote: Uneven loading on the axles, tires rated for less then 3500 lbs each. Rv builder knowing people overload their trailers, and overbuilding it slightly so it survives the warranty period.
Sounds right.
In the middle of '08 NHTSA changed the way RV manufacturers applied GVWR and the GAWR. New regs (571.120 S10) says "On RV trailers, the sum of the GAWRs of all axles on the vehicle plus the vehicle manufacturer's recommended tongue weight must not be less than the GVWR."
Prior regs allowed RV makers to use those small GAWR and a high GVWR.
Looks like this unit has the running gear for the long haul.
"good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" ............ Will Rogers
'03 2500 QC Dodge/Cummins HO 3.73 6 speed manual Jacobs Westach
'97 Park Avanue 28' 5er 11200 gvwr two slides
Ratings don't necessarily add up to equal each other.
I would rather have a pin box and axles rated for more than the GVWR of the entire trailer.
Wouldn't want to max everything out all the time.
Thanks for the input. My tires are E rated for about 3700 lbs. each.
The dealer rep told me that the 19k GVWR does not include the weight on the hitch. If I understood him right that means that the trailer can weigh as much as 19k while hitched to the truck. That makes sense in one way as the weight on the axles while hitched should be less than the weight of the trailer alone. On the other hand that means the trailers weight could far exceed the 19k lb GVWR and the 21k hitch and axle rating. I agree that one should not push the limits. Now if I could convince my DW to toss some of the "stuff" she thinks we need then I would be much lighter.
Recent weight with two full dress Harley's (about 900 lbs each) all our full time stuff (clothing, food, bedding, etc) and about 100 gallons of water came to 20,820 lbs. Dropping the water would get me to about 20k so i need to get ride of some more stuff.
slick50 wrote: Thanks for the input. My tires are E rated for about 3700 lbs. each.
The dealer rep told me that the 19k GVWR does not include the weight on the hitch. If I understood him right that means that the trailer can weigh as much as 19k while hitched to the truck. That makes sense in one way as the weight on the axles while hitched should be less than the weight of the trailer alone. On the other hand that means the trailers weight could far exceed the 19k lb GVWR and the 21k hitch and axle rating. I agree that one should not push the limits. Now if I could convince my DW to toss some of the "stuff" she thinks we need then I would be much lighter.
Recent weight with two full dress Harley's (about 900 lbs each) all our full time stuff (clothing, food, bedding, etc) and about 100 gallons of water came to 20,820 lbs. Dropping the water would get me to about 20k so i need to get ride of some more stuff.
Trailer GVWR includes hitch and axle weights.
Go look at the Federal Certification Label on the left hand sidewall near the front. It will list the Axle Rating (GAWR), Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), and the minimum tire capacity required as manufactured.
But, really need to take it one step farthur to insure no individual tire is overloaded on a multi-slide trailer and or toy hauler due to loading variables. This step is a complete weighing job "as loaded" for a typical trip. That means fuel, food, water, LPG, batteries and any stuff normally taken.
This Bridgestone PDF form is a great tool to have on hand to get all data needed to be an informed RV operator.
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