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CWtheMan · 01-13-2018, 01:55 PM

About keeping the selling dealer honest about cargo weights at Pre Delivery Inspections (PDI).

My information here is dated from the major Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) rules changes dated 2007.

There is a lot of anecdotal information about RV trailer cargo loads and how they are measured. The safety standards are quite explanatory about cargo and who is responsible for it’s accuracy up until the unit changes hands from the dealer to the consumer. References FMVSS 571.110 & 571.120 are a must read for those most interested. Placards and their locations are described in 49 CFR part 567 (certification). All of those references have brief descriptions about how the numbers are applied.

Probably the most often misquoted information is about propane and batteries. Anything that is installed at the factory is accounted for with the trailer’s Unit Vehicle Weight (UVW) when it leaves the factory. That includes propane systems and the weight of full bottles/storage tanks. All water weight is cargo. If a dealer installs a battery (s) there is no adjustment to the cargo unless the battery (s) weighs more than 100# or they are combined with other equipment (options) that together weigh more than 100#.

When a unit is on display and has had no options added since it left the factory it’s weight information (UVW) should be correct. However, if the dealer has added options, the proper term for the trailer’s weight at that time is Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). Dry weight is a term used before 2007 and would be the same as UVW.

I strongly recommend browsing the references 110 & 120. They give specifics about placard locations and how they are to be modified by the dealers. You don’t have to read the whole document. The cargo info starts at about paragraph S10 in both documents. Just type their basic number (571.120) into your computers search engine. The law document may be easier to read but the government document is official.

So, what has all that to do with tires? Weight, excessive, causes tires to go BOOM.

01-13-2018, 01:55 PM	#52
CWtheMan Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Taylors, SC Posts: 3,031	About keeping the selling dealer honest about cargo weights at Pre Delivery Inspections (PDI). My information here is dated from the major Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) rules changes dated 2007. There is a lot of anecdotal information about RV trailer cargo loads and how they are measured. The safety standards are quite explanatory about cargo and who is responsible for it’s accuracy up until the unit changes hands from the dealer to the consumer. References FMVSS 571.110 & 571.120 are a must read for those most interested. Placards and their locations are described in 49 CFR part 567 (certification). All of those references have brief descriptions about how the numbers are applied. Probably the most often misquoted information is about propane and batteries. Anything that is installed at the factory is accounted for with the trailer’s Unit Vehicle Weight (UVW) when it leaves the factory. That includes propane systems and the weight of full bottles/storage tanks. All water weight is cargo. If a dealer installs a battery (s) there is no adjustment to the cargo unless the battery (s) weighs more than 100# or they are combined with other equipment (options) that together weigh more than 100#. When a unit is on display and has had no options added since it left the factory it’s weight information (UVW) should be correct. However, if the dealer has added options, the proper term for the trailer’s weight at that time is Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). Dry weight is a term used before 2007 and would be the same as UVW. I strongly recommend browsing the references 110 & 120. They give specifics about placard locations and how they are to be modified by the dealers. You don’t have to read the whole document. The cargo info starts at about paragraph S10 in both documents. Just type their basic number (571.120) into your computers search engine. The law document may be easier to read but the government document is official. So, what has all that to do with tires? Weight, excessive, causes tires to go BOOM.