Axel Weight Rating

[KimberDon]

We're looking at a 5er that has 2 axels, rated 7,000 lb each. The dry weight of the unit is 15,500 and the GVW is 20,000. So the question is, what exactly does the 7,000# rated weight mean?

[Terry W.]

The difference is the pin weight or the weight being carried by the truck

[rhagfo]

Well I would double check is it two axle or three axle? 20,000# less 14,000# is 6,000# for the pin more than 25 %.

[flybouy]

We're looking at a 5er that has 2 axels, rated 7,000 lb each. The dry weight of the unit is 15,500 and the GVW is 20,000. So the question is, what exactly does the 7,000# rated weight mean?

Each axle can carry a maximum of 7K each for a total of 14,000 lbs. Take the 20K GVWR (if that's the trailer max) and subtract 14K for what the truck would have to carry. I think you need to check your numbers as a 4,500 lb load capacity is mighty high.

What trailer are you looking at and what truck do you have to tow it with?

[KimberDon]

My TV is a 2019 F350 with a GCWR of 28,700. GVCW is 7096. The 5er we're looking at is a GD Solitude. Understanding that the pin weight of about 3100# would not factor into the weight on the axels, doesn't that still leave almost 17,000# of the GVWR on axels with a combined 14,000# capacity?

[CWtheMan]

We're looking at a 5er that has 2 axels, rated 7,000 lb each. The dry weight of the unit is 15,500 and the GVW is 20,000. So the question is, what exactly does the 7,000# rated weight mean?

Answering questions like this would be much easier if you would provide the numbers from the trailer's vehicle certification label. Sometimes, on trailers your size, the certified GAWRs are less than the axle manufacturer's axle certification label or the trailer's brochure.

On RV trailers Original Equipment tires are required to provide the load of the load capacity of the GAWRs; not the GVWR.

Dry weight/GVW has nothing to do with OE tire selections.

Example of Keystone trailer certification label/tire & load information label.

29513

[sourdough]

We're looking at a 5er that has 2 axels, rated 7,000 lb each. The dry weight of the unit is 15,500 and the GVW is 20,000. So the question is, what exactly does the 7,000# rated weight mean?


You might double check those numbers; maybe post the sticker on the side of the trailer. Just throwing numbers around thinking of a 20k tandem axle 5th wheel and a 20% pin weight = 4000lbs. That leaves 16k hanging on 2 7k rated axles. That would concern me greatly and I would be digging into that. I would also have a diesel dually.

[KimberDon]

I don’t have access to the label as I’ve just been looking at ads online so far. So I’m just working off of listed specs, but common numbers for that trailer are 2 each of 7000# axels under a trailer that is rated at 20,000#’s GVWR, which is just under my trucks 20,900# trailer weight specification.

[sourdough]

Don't look at the trailer weight rating - it's simply a sales ploy. Look at the stickers inside the driver door. They will give payload and tire size on one (white/yellow) and axle weight ratings on the other (mine is gray). If you don't have a dually the stickers don't really matter because a SRW isn't made for a 20k 5th wheel.

[KimberDon]

Thanks all for the timely feedback! My take away here is to work with the numbers on the trailer data labels, not generic specs. Fair enough. And this isn't the first time that I've been cautioned against a trailer that size for my srw diesel. I understand,
more is better, and over built is always helpful. So that being said, I see many srw's pulling toy haulers and other large 5ers. Provided that one stays within accurate spec's of both TV & trailer, what are the risks?

[CWtheMan]

I don’t have access to the label as I’ve just been looking at ads online so far. So I’m just working off of listed specs, but common numbers for that trailer are 2 each of 7000# axels under a trailer that is rated at 20,000#’s GVWR, which is just under my trucks 20,900# trailer weight specification.

The only way those figures will work is with a 6000# tongue weight recommendation from the trailer manufacturer.

[JRTJH]

Thanks all for the timely feedback! My take away here is to work with the numbers on the trailer data labels, not generic specs. Fair enough. And this isn't the first time that I've been cautioned against a trailer that size for my srw diesel. I understand,
more is better, and over built is always helpful. So that being said, I see many srw's pulling toy haulers and other large 5ers. Provided that one stays within accurate spec's of both TV & trailer, what are the risks?

The payload for your truck is probably around 3900 pounds. That's the maximum cargo capacity before you reach the GVW. There will "probably" be a few hundred pounds of additional capacity before you reach the RAWR...

To answer the question in your comment that I bolded in red: Nothing is wrong with staying within the specs of both the TV and trailer. The problem arises when you have 3900 pounds of payload, 3900 pounds of pin weight, 200 pounds of hitch weight, a 150 pound DW and you weigh 200 pounds (50 pounds over the allotment from the manufacturer for driver weight)... That puts you "over payload, over GVW, and approaching/over RAWR, even though you're still within the GCWR (which is an "everchanging figure" depending on the weight of the truck).....

[sourdough]

Thanks all for the timely feedback! My take away here is to work with the numbers on the trailer data labels, not generic specs. Fair enough. And this isn't the first time that I've been cautioned against a trailer that size for my srw diesel. I understand,
more is better, and over built is always helpful. So that being said, I see many srw's pulling toy haulers and other large 5ers. Provided that one stays within accurate spec's of both TV & trailer, what are the risks?


First, a SRW anything cannot safely tow a 20k trailer, just ain't happening. Will it make it roll? Absolutely. Will it be dangerously overloaded? Absolutely. Do you (I) see folks doing things not only dangerous, but illegal, all the time? Of course. Am I going to do it? Not hardly. Sort of like....I saw a guy in a movie take a revolver with only one bullet in the chamber and spin it, put it to his head, pulled the trigger and you know what.....it clicked and he smiled. Hmmm, am I going to do that? You know that answer.

A 20k trailer on a dually 1 ton is maybe, MAYBE adequate depending on the truck and trim level. By no means is it "over built" for the trailer...it is more than likely barely adequate....or not. A SRW isn't in the picture for a trailer like that.

Forget brochure numbers, max towing etc. Forget every number. Get the numbers of the driver pillar in your truck, THAT will tell you what you need, not sales numbers to make you believe you own a Freightliner. As a final thought, just think this through - a 20k trailer will/should/must carry about a 20% pin weight. 20% of a 20k trailer is....4k lbs. not including another thing other than the pin - look at that sticker; what is that payload again? I figure John hit it close, if not optimistically. Load that on your truck and hit the wham, bam, thank you ma'ams through Shreveport or Jackson MS and I figure you will find that rear axle "back there" somewhere.

[KimberDon]

Good explanation, thanks. I'm understanding this better, and appreciate all the help.

[rhagfo]

You might double check those numbers; maybe post the sticker on the side of the trailer. Just throwing numbers around thinking of a 20k tandem axle 5th wheel and a 20% pin weight = 4000lbs. That leaves 16k hanging on 2 7k rated axles. That would concern me greatly and I would be digging into that. I would also have a diesel dually.

It appears OP is looking at a GD Momentum 374TH, weights are listed as.
Dry 15,500#
Dry pin 3,200#
GVWR. 20,000#
Length 41’ 3”
I hope that F350 is a DRW!

[sourdough]

It appears OP is looking at a GD Momentum 374TH, weights are listed as.
Dry 15,500#
Dry pin 3,200#
GVWR. 20,000#
Length 41’ 3”
I hope that F350 is a DRW!


Yeah, that's what I was saying. That's a load, way too much, for a srw which I believe the OP has.

[wiredgeorge]

KimberDon, All you have done is chum the water for speculation sharks. Go to your TRUCK and look in the driver's side door frame. There is a white/yellow placard stating your payload... combined of occupants and cargo should never exceed... then THE PAYLOAD IN POUNDS. Exactly what camper are you looking at? What is the GVWR claimed by the manufacturer. 20K lbs? Ok, now take 20 percent of that that and figure that will be your pin weight. 4K lbs. Compare that to your PAYLOAD and then figure in all the weight you put in the truck including hitch, passengers, tools, pets, etc. This will take you to anywhere from 4500 to 5000 lbs and compare that to your PAYLOAD. If you are under your payload you are golden. If over, well not so safe and either a bigger truck or smaller trailer might be a good idea. I think this thing isn't rocket science and all the axle weights and other stuff just confuses a bit. You F350 can drag that trailer but exceeding payload may be. That trailer is a monster!

[xrated]

There are no Solitudes with a 20,000 lb GVWR. All the Solitudes are double axle and if I'm not mistaken, the heaviest one they make has a GVWR of 16,800 lbs. The only trailers in the Grand Design brand that have 20K GVWR is in the Momentum lineup.

[TYHLR]

Something to consider, these are my real world numbers with a 3 axle 5vr.


Truck empty weight = 8,500 lbs
Camper empty weight = 14,500 lbs
Truck loaded for camping = 8,800 lbs
Camper loaded for camping including 30 gals fresh water, both propane tanks full, frig full along with all of the groceries, bed clothes, people clothes, etc. 16,000 lbs
Pin weight = 3100 lbs.


My TV is a diesel dually. There is no way that I would ever hook my camper to a SRW just based on the pin weight alone.


Lots of comfort factor in towing a trailer that heavy (or more) with a dually. It is completely worth it to me just for the peace of mind that regardless of what happens I have a better than even shot of stopping the rig safely. I can't imagine doing a emergency stop or losing a rear axle truck tire at speed with a SRW truck towing that kind of weight behind it.

[Genek]

Good explanation, thanks. I'm understanding this better, and appreciate all the help.

If you want the answer to your question do a GVWR calculation. GVWR refers to weight capacity of the vehicle alone. GCWR, however, is a weight rating of the vehicle but takes a hitched up trailer into account. It is the maximum weight of a vehicle with a trailer attached. FYI my F350 dually, 8 foot bed, diesel, crew cab GVWR is 14,000. Truck with 2 people, full tank, cargo plus light weight Anderson hitch is 9,100. Pin load is 3,000 for my 3120rl. Therefore, total load is 12,100 leaving me 1,900 to play with. These are CAT scale numbers. Like mentioned above due the math. Singles have GVWR of no greater than 12,000.

[Laredo250RL]

All the other GD Solitude models show 16,800 as GVWR. So I suspect a typo on their website. I would call their customer service for clarification. Either the 20,000 GVWR is wrong, or the 7,000 axle rating is wrong.

[McRod]

We're looking at a 5er that has 2 axels, rated 7,000 lb each. The dry weight of the unit is 15,500 and the GVW is 20,000. So the question is, what exactly does the 7,000# rated weight mean?

If that's the unit you buy, opt for the 8k axles with disc brakes and H rated tires.

[McRod]

All the other GD Solitude models show 16,800 as GVWR. So I suspect a typo on their website. I would call their customer service for clarification. Either the 20,000 GVWR is wrong, or the 7,000 axle rating is wrong.

I doubt it's a typo. The 7k axles are their HD axles, but the also offer full 8k axles with discs for that model.