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SECTION 3 –
RECOMMENDATIONS
proportion on fifth wheels is a larger
percentage of the GROSS VEHICLE
WEIGHT.
•
Proper distribution required for towing
stability, assures the trailer is not rear, front, or
side heavy.
•
A light tongue weight or heavy weight placed
at the rear end of the trailer may cause trailer
sway.
Too much weight on the tongue can overload
the tow vehicle, and cause poor tow vehicle
stability and handling, poor braking, poor
cornering and may damage the trailer frame.
TRAVEL TRAILER EQUALIZER
HITCHES
Travel trailer load equalizer hitches can add
33% plus or minus of hitch weight to trailer axles
when the trailer and tow vehicle are level. If the
tow vehicle tilts front or rear, the tension on the
equalizer bars will affect the amount of weight
distributed to the axles.
REAR BUMPER LIMITATIONS
The rear bumper of a travel trailer or fifth
wheel is not intended to be a weight bearing
structure. The bumper is not capable of
supporting any additional weight beyond that of
the tire carrier and spare tire. Besides being
unable to support added weight, adding weight to
the rear of the travel trailer will affect the hitch
weight and the stability of the trailer while
towing.
WA RNING
The rear bumper of travel trailers and fifth
wheels are not intended to be used as
steps and are not designed to support
more than 70 pounds.
3-2
WEIGHT RATINGS
The Trailer Weight Information label (located
inside the inside lower bar on the screen door on
almost all trailers and fifth wheels) provides
weight data critical to understanding the
maximum load of a travel trailer or fifth wheel.
GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING
(GVWR) is the maximum permissible weight of
the trailer. The weight of the empty trailer, plus
weight added in the form of water, food, clothing,
and anything else in or attached to the trailer must
not exceed the GVWR. In other words, the
GVWR is equal to or greater than Unloaded
Vehicle Weight plus the Cargo Carrying
Capacity.
The UNLOADED VEHICLE WEIGHT
(UVW) is the weight of the travel trailer or fifth
wheel as manufactured. This is the weight on the
trailer axles and tongue or pin.
CARGO CARRYING CAPACITY is the
maximum weight of personal belongings, food,
fresh water, PROPANE gas tools, accessories,
etc. that can be loaded.
The GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING
(GAWR) represents the allowable empty
vehicle's axle weight plus Cargo Carrying
Capacity excluding the hitch weight. The weight
is divided between each axle and each has its own
GAWR. The total of axle load plus the tongue
weight must not exceed the trailer GVWR. The
GAWR is located on the manufacturer's Federal
ID label on the left side front corner outside the
trailer.
DETERMINING TRAILER
WEIGHT
To determine the weight of a loaded trailer:
1. Locate public weight scale.
2. Park your trailer and disconnect it on the scale.
Both wheels and jacks should be on the scale.
3. The reading will be the Gross Vehicle Weight
of the trailer and should not exceed the
GVWR as indicated on the manufacturer
Federal ID tag.
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