I'm over my GAWR, what to do?

[AlpineKeith]

I took my rig to a Cat scale and found out I am over my GAWR by 80lbs with my trailer being EMPTY! Being a newbie, I am at a loss as to what to do about this situation. Here are my stats:

2016 F250 6.7 diesel 2019 Alpine 3400RS
3.55 axle ratio GVWR 15,0000
GVWR 10,000 GAWR (each axle) 7000
GCWR 23,500

scale info: Truck Only: Steer axle 4860
Drive axle 3540
Gross Wt 8400
Truck and Trailer: Steer Axle 4840
Drive axle 6180
Trailer Axle 9960
Gross Wt 20980

I presume by loading the trailer, more weight will be put on the rear axle. I do not want to tow unsafe. Is there anything I can do to rectify this?

[Tbos]

2 trailer axles at 7000lbs each means you can have 14000lbs on those axles. Here is the scale ticket for my Alpine 3651RL and my F350. All within vehicle limits.

[Ken / Claudia]

The short answer, buy a bigger truck or a smaller trailer.

[rhagfo]

Originally Posted by AlpineKeith

I took my rig to a Cat scale and found out I am over my GAWR by 80lbs with my trailer being EMPTY! Being a newbie, I am at a loss as to what to do about this situation. Here are my stats:

2016 F250 6.7 diesel 2019 Alpine 3400RS
3.55 axle ratio GVWR 15,0000
GVWR 10,000 GAWR (each axle) 7000
GCWR 23,500


scale info: Truck Only: Steer axle 4860
Drive axle 3540
Gross Wt 8400
Truck and Trailer: Steer Axle 4840
Drive axle 6180
Trailer Axle 9960
Gross Wt 20980

I presume by loading the trailer, more weight will be put on the rear axle. I do not want to tow unsafe. Is there anything I can do to rectify this?

Originally Posted by Ken / Claudia

The short answer, buy a bigger truck or a smaller trailer.

^^^^ This is the correct answer! ^^^^

See if I can make sense out of the numbers above.

2016 F250 6.7 diesel
3.55 axle ratio
GVWR 10,000
GCWR 23,500

2019 Alpine 3400RS
GVWR 15,0000
GAWR (each axle) 7000

scale info: Truck Only: Steer axle 4,860#
Drive axle 3,540#
Gross Wt 8,400#
This means Max Payload of 1,600#

Truck and Trailer: Steer Axle 4,840#
Drive axle 6,180#
TV GVW 11,020# 1,020 over GVWR, and only 480# short of F350 SRW GVWR.

Pin as scaled 2,620#
Trailer Axle 9,960#
Current (empty) Trailer weight 12,580#
Gross Combined Wt 20,980#

Sorry, if that is empty, and your F250 is loaded for camping, you are likely going to exceed the GVWR of a F350 SRW which is 11,500#.
It is time to be looking at a DRW to carry what you have. If you don't mind changing TV brands, current Ram 3500 SRW have a GVWR of 12,300#, which could likely cover the weight of that 5er, you will still be better off with a DRW TV.


Ford 2016 Towing guide see page 10.
https://www.fleet.ford.com/resources...e_r2_Oct23.pdf

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by Ken / Claudia

The short answer, buy a bigger truck or a smaller trailer.

That’s the only “legal” way.

[AlpineKeith]

Originally Posted by Tbos

2 trailer axles at 7000lbs each means you can have 14000lbs on those axles. Attachment 20237 Here is the scale ticket for my Alpine 3651RL and my F350. All within vehicle limits.

Thanks. The trailer is ok. I am referring to my TV GAWR.

[CWtheMan]

Originally Posted by AlpineKeith

Thanks. The trailer is ok. I am referring to my TV GAWR.

I did the math on that trailer using Keystone specs before I wrote about the axles. You'd have to show me a picture of it's certification label to convince me Keystone hasn't deratred them down to conform with the trailer's GVWR.


Brochure information is not official. The vehicle certification information is certified by the vehicle builder. They are allowed to set GAWR values below the axle manufacturers certified values.

[Don_T]

Originally Posted by CWtheMan

I did the math on that trailer using Keystone specs before I wrote about the axles. You'd have to show me a picture of it's certification label to convince me Keystone hasn't deratred them down to conform with the trailer's GVWR.


Brochure information is not official. The vehicle certification information is certified by the vehicle builder. They are allowed to set GAWR values below the axle manufacturers certified values.

The axle rating on my Alpine 3301GR is 7,000 pounds each per the VIN tag on the side of the camper. The GVW is listed as 15,000 pounds also per the VIN tag on the side of the camper. The tires it came with are ST235/85R16. The sidewall weight rating is 4400 pounds @ 110 PSI.

[CWtheMan]

Originally Posted by Don_T

The axle rating on my Alpine 3301GR is 7,000 pounds each per the VIN tag on the side of the camper. The GVW is listed as 15,000 pounds also per the VIN tag on the side of the camper. The tires it came with are ST235/85R16. The sidewall weight rating is 4400 pounds @ 110 PSI.

I'm surprised that Keystone is doing that with their axles. It invites the trailer owner to overload their trailer. Two axles rated a 7000# plus a hitch weight of - maybe - 2500# would, if loaded to max GAWR cause the trailer to be 1500# over GVWR. Not good numbers for those not experienced enough to avoid it.


Our area RV show is next month. I'll be sure to inspect all Keystone trailers for that trend. It has never been the practice to do that in the RV trailer industry.

[Tbos]

Originally Posted by AlpineKeith

Thanks. The trailer is ok. I am referring to my TV GAWR.

Thanks for the clarification.

[rhagfo]

Originally Posted by AlpineKeith

Thanks. The trailer is OK. I am referring to my TV (Rear) GAWR.

Keith, do you have a plan going forward? I know that is a tough question, you are currently pushing the numbers for an F350 SRW!

I wish you the best!


Theses are Keith's numbers that I placed in a more logical order.

2016 F250 6.7 diesel
3.55 axle ratio
GVWR 10,000
GCWR 23,500

2019 Alpine 3400RS
GVWR 15,0000
Keith's "Dry" 5er weight 12,580#

scale info: Truck Only: Steer axle 4,860#
Drive axle 3,540#
Gross Wt 8,400#
This means Max Payload of 1,600#

Truck and Trailer: Steer Axle 4,840#
Drive axle 6,180#
TV GVW 11,020# 1,020 over GVWR, and only 480# short of F350 SRW GVWR.

Pin as scaled 2,620#
Trailer Axle 9,960#
Current (empty) Trailer weight 12,580#
Gross Combined Wt 20,980#

Sorry, if that is empty, and your F250 is loaded for camping, you are likely going to exceed the GVWR of a F350 SRW which is 11,500#.
It is time to be looking at a DRW to carry what you have. If you don't mind changing TV brands, current Ram 3500 SRW have a GVWR of 12,300#, which could likely cover the weight of that 5er, you will still be better off with a DRW TV.

Ford 2016 Towing guide see page 10.

https://www.fleet.ford.com/resources...e_r2_Oct23.pdf

[AlpineKeith]

Thanks for all the info fellow campers. Looking into DRW's.
And I thought scuba diving was expensive!! Ha

[rhagfo]

Originally Posted by AlpineKeith

Thanks for all the info fellow campers. Looking into DRW's.
And I thought scuba diving was expensive!! Ha

While I didn’t find used DRW much more than SRW one tons, I did find them hard to find! The one we bought was at dealership over 300 miles away.

[Tbos]

Originally Posted by AlpineKeith

Thanks for all the info fellow campers. Looking into DRW's.

And I thought scuba diving was expensive!! Ha

Lol, I used to dive and I think it cost less than this hobby.

[Wxman]

OP, am I right that you are concerned about GAWR of the rear axle on your truck? You show a weight of 6180 loaded for the rear (drive axle). I am thinking your rear (drive axle) GAWR is 6100 and thus the 80lb difference.

The rear GAWR for your truck doesn't appear in your original post and if I am correct above, may be confusing some who could give some advice. No 5er here so I am hesitant to say anything.

Good luck

[66joej]

If you are not fulltiming punt the washer/dryer. If you have them.

[AlpineKeith]

Originally Posted by Wxman

OP, am I right that you are concerned about GAWR of the rear axle on your truck? You show a weight of 6180 loaded for the rear (drive axle). I am thinking your rear (drive axle) GAWR is 6100 and thus the 80lb difference.

The rear GAWR for your truck doesn't appear in your original post and if I am correct above, may be confusing some who could give some advice. No 5er here so I am hesitant to say anything.

Good luck

Thanks Wxman. Yes it is my rear GAWR on my f250. Over by 80lbs empty.

[busterbrown]

Your pin weight loaded on that trailer will be well north of 3,000 lbs. You have more capacity violations than just GAWR. What's the listed truck's payload on the placard? Those F250 diesels will be very limited, especially when they are optioned out.

Ken is spot on. Bigger truck or smaller trailer are your only safe bets.

[Tbos]

If Wxman is correct you may need to upgrade your truck. If you load the rig up to reduce the in weight it may not ride properly.

[JRTJH]

Owning the same truck (2015 F250 Lariat diesel) I can tell you that the payload is not greater than 2000 pounds. (f you own an XL or XLT, not more than 2100 pounds. That trailer, empty, as you found, has a pin weight of 2410. Add a washer/dryer, propane, batteries, equipment, a passenger in the truck, fifth wheel hitch and you're going to be well over GVW, RAWR and probably tire capacity.

That trailer is "at least a F350 SRW" and likely, when loaded for extended trips with a generator in the bed of the truck, a DRW candidate.....

As suggested, get a bigger truck or a smaller trailer. There's not much "silk purse" in your "sow's ear" .... (unfortunately).....