terrybk
Central Coast California
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We are looking at a 2006 Bigfoot 25C9.4LB camper. The label in the closet says it weighs 2335lbs wet (32 gals of water, two propane tanks, two batteries, etc.) then lists the weights for the options. This one has all options except the generation. I get a total wet weight of 2654lbs.
That seems low for wet weight. Has anyone else weighed their BF camper and compared it to the label? Yes, I know many say the label is a lie, but BF appears to have picked a specific number for the lie (if true!) Maybe the older BF campers were lighter?
I plan on calling BF in the morning and forcing them to confess but I wanted to see if anyone else had some hard numbers against the wet label.
Regards,
Terry
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2005 Chevrolet 3500 SRW 4X4 LB/CC D/A
2006 Bigfoot 25C9.4LB
CEK0515 and a dog
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mkirsch
Rochester, NY
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I can save you some time. That call is going to go one of two ways:
1. Bigfoot is going to tell you that the numbers are 100% accurate.
2. Bigfoot is going to laugh in your face and hang up when they find out you're calling about the weight of a 16 year old camper you don't even own.
Calling the label a "lie" is harsh. A lie is intentional. I don't think camper weight inaccuracies are intentional. Weights are inaccurate because most manufacturers use the weight of a reference unit. They usually do not weigh each individual unit as it comes off the line.
That said, many before you have done nothing more than look at the number on the label, loaded it in their truck, and hit the road.
Even if the weight is low by 1000lbs, you've got enough truck for the job. So my advice is to not worry about it. If the camper is in good shape at a good price, buy it.
Putting 10-ply tires on half ton trucks since aught-four.
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terrybk
Central Coast California
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Thanks Mkirsch.
Calling the weight label a lie is hyperbole. And many people on here say the weights (by everyone) are wrong. And if BF is guessing, well ... I'm still going to contact them. There are manufacturers like Northwood and NuWa that do weight before it goes on the truck. I have read criticisms that BF doesn't.
Hopefully someone has some real world numbers. The particular unit we are looking at is a base model with limited options. No external TV antenna, no roof rack, doesn't have the preferred package, etc. It does have the dual pane windows. Maybe it is that light. Maybe it is close to their "reference" weight.
I might have plenty of truck but I might not have plenty of tire.
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Durb
NW
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I purchased a 2004 Bigfoot trailer used; one reason being the light published weight. Inside the trailer was a build sheet with options and the related weight gains. They added 1.4 pounds for a bedspread, plus charged weight for the windows, entry step, stove cover and a dozen of other "options" that should have been standard with the trailer. Net result was an additional 500 pounds. I was still very happy with the trailer.
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mkirsch
Rochester, NY
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I'll be interested to see the outcome of the conversation. Companies usually toe a line so as to not be caught in a "lie." If someone were to admit to you that the weights are based on a reference unit, or worse, calculated, that would open them up to all sorts of liability. All one would have to do is get their camper weighed and then sue Bigfoot for damages.
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terrybk
Central Coast California
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Durb wrote:I purchased a 2004 Bigfoot trailer used; one reason being the light published weight. Inside the trailer was a build sheet with options and the related weight gains. They added 1.4 pounds for a bedspread, plus charged weight for the windows, entry step, stove cover and a dozen of other "options" that should have been standard with the trailer. Net result was an additional 500 pounds. I was still very happy with the trailer.
Hi Durb,
Are you saying it was 500lbs over the brochure dry weight or over the wet weight label in the trailer?
What's weird is the brochure gives a dry weight slightly under the wet weigh before options (2435 dry/2335 wet/2654 wet with options.) But for this particular camper, there are options/features it doesn't have.
Another minor issue is that BF brochures don't list a year anywhere so it's a guess if this is the right year. There is a tiny BFM 06 R1 on the last page that makes me think it is 2006.
Will BF tell me they pulled the wet weight out of their ***? We will see. Yes, I suspect there are "hidden" weights not accounted for anywhere. But hey, why not ask rather than speculate. I've only got about about 650lbs of tire for me to be wrong with.
Terry
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Durb
NW
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terrybk wrote:Durb wrote:I purchased a 2004 Bigfoot trailer used; one reason being the light published weight. Inside the trailer was a build sheet with options and the related weight gains. They added 1.4 pounds for a bedspread, plus charged weight for the windows, entry step, stove cover and a dozen of other "options" that should have been standard with the trailer. Net result was an additional 500 pounds. I was still very happy with the trailer.
Hi Durb,
Are you saying it was 500lbs over the brochure dry weight or over the wet weight label in the trailer?
What's weird is the brochure gives a dry weight slightly under the wet weigh before options (2435 dry/2335 wet/2654 wet with options.) But for this particular camper, there are options/features it doesn't have.
Another minor issue is that BF brochures don't list a year anywhere so it's a guess if this is the right year. There is a tiny BFM 06 R1 on the last page that makes me think it is 2006.
Will BF tell me they pulled the wet weight out of their ***? We will see. Yes, I suspect there are "hidden" weights not accounted for anywhere. But hey, why not ask rather than speculate. If only got about about 650lbs of tire to me wrong with.
Terry
The brochure weight was 4,800# dry. The trailer came in at 5,300# fully documented with an itemized certificate from Bigfoot. I don't recall seeing a weight sticker on that trailer. No big deal on a travel trailer; I towed it at around 6,000#.
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terrybk
Central Coast California
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Thanks Durb,
That seems totally reasonable that the real dry weight was higher than the brochure dry weight.
Terry
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Bedlam
PNW
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My 2012 Arctic Fox 811 was heavier than the label by almost 500 lbs. That 9' single slide camper was typically 4000 lbs when filled and ready to camp.
Chevy Sonic 1.8-Honda Passport C70B-Host Mammoth 11.5-Interstate Car Carrier 20-Joyner SandViper 250-Kawasaki Concours ZG1000-Paros 8' flatbed-Pelican Decker DLX 8.75-Ram 5500 HD
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TxGearhead
Texas
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When I bought my 2008 9.4 I had a relatively new 2016 RAM 3500 Cummins/Aisin SRW. Payload was 4106. Drove it home from Washington DC to Houston, no issues, loaded very light. Next trip was a winter time trip and was loaded very heavy. I scaled it at 4300+ IIRC. The tag on the outside says 2830. Got home and ordered a dually.
You may be OK if you're not over your tire limits and the rear axle limit.
Definitely consider a Hellwig BigWig sway bar.
2018 Ram 3500 CC LB DRW 4X4 Cummins Aisin Laramie Pearl White
2018 Landmark Oshkosh
2008 Bigfoot 25C9.4
2014 NauticStar 21 ShallowBay 150HP Yamaha
2016 GoDevil 18X44 35HP Surface Drive
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