Lightweight - Under 5000 lbs
- Thread starter Camper13
- Start date
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If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
Mopar1973Man
Well-known member
Ditch the dry weight number use GVWR.
Like my RV states its a 6,588# Dry weight but actual on the scales it was 7,200#. So dry weight is meaningless and should ne be used for specs of buying a RV. Because no one buys a empty RV to haul around empty. So state your vehicle towing capacity and then we'll help you find a RV with GVWR below your vehicle towing capacity. It would be helpful to know what your tow vehicle is.
Like my RV states its a 6,588# Dry weight but actual on the scales it was 7,200#. So dry weight is meaningless and should ne be used for specs of buying a RV. Because no one buys a empty RV to haul around empty. So state your vehicle towing capacity and then we'll help you find a RV with GVWR below your vehicle towing capacity. It would be helpful to know what your tow vehicle is.
2010 Ford F150, 4.6L, 2 valve, 4x4, 4 Speed transmission - Maximum tow capacity 5500 lbs.
We were figuring 600 - 1000 pounds of cargo.
We wouldn't put 2000 pounds of cargo, so we didn't think the max GVWR was as important to us in our search criteria.
We were figuring 600 - 1000 pounds of cargo.
We wouldn't put 2000 pounds of cargo, so we didn't think the max GVWR was as important to us in our search criteria.
Mopar1973Man
Well-known member
Yea... You want to find a RV with a GVWR of 5,500 or less. Now if your in the mountain out west like I am then you want to find a RV of 4,950 (or 10% less).
Kind of like I've got a max combine rating of 20,000#for the truck and 13,650# worth of trailer I can haul with the truck. But I've got a travel trailer with a GVWR of 8,500#. So between both truck and trailer I weight out at 16,080# last time I checked which is still below my 20,000# for the combine weight and I'm below the 13,650# on the trailer weight number. Also Just under the 8,800# rating of the truck at 8,320# for the truck alone. All these number come into play for safety value.
Just because you can fit the trailer weight the truck might get over load with cargo just alone in the cab/bed.
I'm sure Gary or other will be able to fill in more..
Kind of like I've got a max combine rating of 20,000#for the truck and 13,650# worth of trailer I can haul with the truck. But I've got a travel trailer with a GVWR of 8,500#. So between both truck and trailer I weight out at 16,080# last time I checked which is still below my 20,000# for the combine weight and I'm below the 13,650# on the trailer weight number. Also Just under the 8,800# rating of the truck at 8,320# for the truck alone. All these number come into play for safety value.
Just because you can fit the trailer weight the truck might get over load with cargo just alone in the cab/bed.
I'm sure Gary or other will be able to fill in more..
Gary RV_Wizard
Site Team
Most people seriously underestimate the cargo weight, plus the trailer probably weighs more than its supposed dry weight even before you put your first lb of cargo onboard. Propane and the base load of water in the water heater and residual in the tanks adds about 100 lbs right off the bat, and you may have options above and beyond the base dry weight as well.
Also be aware that your max tow rating on the truck doe snot include passengers and gear in the truck, nor the weight of the trailer hitch. Those have to be figured in as well (they decrease the max tow rating). You MAY be right that you will never reach GVWR, but I'll bet your actual weight will be greater than your estimate.
Also be aware that your max tow rating on the truck doe snot include passengers and gear in the truck, nor the weight of the trailer hitch. Those have to be figured in as well (they decrease the max tow rating). You MAY be right that you will never reach GVWR, but I'll bet your actual weight will be greater than your estimate.
Ernie n Tara
Well-known member
I suspect you don't have a good feel for the weight of trailers. Given a max GROSS weight of about 5, 000 lb., you're not going to find everything you specified. I'd suggest you attend an RV show and look at the smaller trailers noting the GROSS weight of each (located on the left side front outside the trailer) and the floor plans. This should quickly give you a feel for what is a realistic expectaion.
Ernie
Ernie
Look at Allen Camper http://allencampermfg.com/index.html.
I see a 201 FBS Outpost lite that has a slide. Shipping weight is 3450 lbs with a 4500 GVWR. They have other non slide TTs under 5500 GVWR.
They also show a couple of 5th wheel trailers at 5600 and 4500 GVWRs with 500 lbs pin weights.
I bought my first new 9 1/2' truck camper from these folks in 1972. They have been in the RV buisness since the '60s.
I see a 201 FBS Outpost lite that has a slide. Shipping weight is 3450 lbs with a 4500 GVWR. They have other non slide TTs under 5500 GVWR.
They also show a couple of 5th wheel trailers at 5600 and 4500 GVWRs with 500 lbs pin weights.
I bought my first new 9 1/2' truck camper from these folks in 1972. They have been in the RV buisness since the '60s.
R. J. Barton
Well-known member
Camper13 said:
Tell ya what, if I don't watch my lovely wife like a hawk our rig would gain 200lbs each trip out.
You'd swear we were never coming back. :
