EXCELLENT! Jared, thanks for not only covering this but doing in such detail, showing how the cat scale looks and is used, and - clearly - working the number through using a calculation tool. Best job of this I've seen...and sorely needed. I've been amazed at how few RV'ers have actually gone to a scale, fully loaded if at all. One addition: For significant claims, an insurance adjuster is going to check if an RV of any kind was overloaded. Denial of coverage is a real thing.
Good information. RV owners don’t know but really should know how much their rig weighs. “I didn’t know” won’t fly in case of a mishap. The cost to weigh and truly know how much your rig weighs beats the cost when there is damage.
I joined a bunch of FB groups just to do some research on what fully loaded pin weights of the RV’s we are looking to buy and what people are pulling them with and what there payload capacity are. I could safely say that 90% of people are hundreds of pounds over payload, some a thousand or more over. I couldn’t believe how many didn’t even know what payload was. All they care about is “tow capacity”
Wow! That worksheet will really help organize all the math & abstract numbers into an understandable picture of where a rig is at! Thank you and well done! 😎👍
This was by far the most helpful video I came across in regard to trailer weight. We leave on a cross country trip with a brand new travel trailer this week. We weighed yesterday on a nearby CAT scale and crunched all the numbers from your spreadsheet. I feel much more confident now that we know our weights are all within the parameters for our trailer and tow vehicle.
Thank you for a correct and informative video. I have done all the research myself, but I’m disgusted by all the wrong or misinformed giving advice to novices. I’d also like to thank you for providing that great worksheet you created. I’m going to forward it to all my towing buddies... Keep up the good work...
No first hand experience but as I understand it, when an accident with an RV is involved, the investigator has some way to check the RV weight on the site of the accident. Can't imagine how, but they do so liability is a huge issue. Thanks for this very informative video. This should be a mandatory video to watch for any RVer, new or old.
We just weighed our RV last week and found out we were overweight on the RV by 400 lb. the pin weight and payload was still good, but will be downsizing some of our stuff in the RV and looking to maybe upgrade our leaf springs. We don’t want them looking sad. Seen others break them and we don’t want to be part of that group. Thanks for sharing and helping others understand the importance of weight!
I definitely agree with previous comment, this is the best and most comprehensive explanation I have ever watched. You are the top of the line, "THE BEST". Thank You.
Exultant video. It is sad how many don't have a understanding of how to weigh their RV. They also don't know about loading it for balance. Again great video and everyone should download your worksheet and fill it out.
I like to keep my fresh water with about ten gallons or less in it. Just enough for traveling flushes if need be. They grey and black should be empty.... keeps the weight down big time!
Well done! Its great to see accurate and great information being put out to educate RVers. So often people are bad mouthing tires for blowing out when the real problem is often that the trailer is over weight and the speed rating of the tires is being exceeded (as well as the tire being possibly under inflated).
Fuel does not have to be counted in the payload. The manufacturer has figured payload with a full tank of fuel so that owner doesn't have to figure out weight of fuel
My 29’ Class-C’s front axle weighs out at 4500 & rear is 9100. New springs are ordered for 5k front and 11k rear while getting a 4x4 conversion. New larger front brakes, shocks and upgraded anti-sway bars too. This should overcome the usually poor suspension caused by multi-stage RV manufacturing.
EXCELLENT presentation. I've attempted to explain all this to 2 different RV friends without much success. I'm going to give them your worksheet, maybe that'll help... THANK YOU.
lol. I just commented on one of your previous videos why this is a good idea, and now I have found this video which details exactly that. I guess I should have looked at your entire library first.. :) safe travels....
One thing IMO you should have added, is the max towing weight of the truck does not necessarily mean that is the max weight of your TT or 5ver can be, due to the profile of said trailers. The longer the trailer the more under the max towing weight you should be. Those trucks can tow utility trailers with a tractor or dozer at their reported max tow, but the profile is much smaller. A TT or 5ver, you need to reduce that max tow by 2k for trailers up to I'd say 36ft and 3k for trailers 37+ for safety in windy conditions and steep roads up thru passes. My F-150 has a max tow of 9900 lbs. I would not attempt to pull a TT with more than 7500 lbs. with it.
My coach is 40,000 lbs... its made with oversize tires that hold 80,000 lbs.. we ride on air, no leafs or springs... My rig can take 55,000 lbs before something is going to brake... So I think if you have a cracker box under 26,000 lbs you need this video... most any light trailer and 5th wheel need to know this.
Well done, maybe now the RV community will take seriously the weight of their rigs, if your on the road please take very serious as stated the proper weight and distribution of that weight of your rigs. Make your adventures the safest they can be safe travels all 👍😊🇺🇸
A newer dully can tow more but some of them in the past have surprisingly low numbers. We know people that never looked at the numbers because they got a dually truck but were way off on their numbers for weight. Dually trucks are very stable but I would recommend to still do the math and know your weights.
Jared- this is the most helpful video on weights on YT-thanks! Question- if I’m trying to match a truck and a 5th wheel (purchasing them both)- should I go by the manufacturers listed hitch weight or use 20% of the max loaded trailer (which is way more than Grand Design listed)? It looks like they maybe took 15% of the dry weight is the only thing I can figure. Thanks!
Video request: I was checking out your links (above) and noticed that in the Amazon reviews for the Sherline trailer tongue weight scale some reviewers were describing how they used this scale not only to weigh their trailer's tongue weight but to approximate axle or wheel weights, too. Would you consider testing out these methods, and perhaps doing another video on that?
I'm gonna ask - where do you get the 28,300 from? None of these numbers add up to the 28,300. And where/when do towing limits come into play? My CR-V's GVWR is 4,564 with a CCC of 850 and a towing capacity limit of 1,500lbs.
Hi, I want to ask a question. I've stumbled across someone who decided to not go with DC electrical system and relied on AC electrical system for his new DIY campervan. That's mean everything from fan to light to standard AC appliances on 240V AC (he's from Malaysia). Is it the better route than using 12V appliances when necessary?
They like to make you work for that number. If you are having a hard time finding it you can pull up the towing guide for your manufacture and it will have it on the chart for your configuration of your vehicle
![How To Weigh Your RV [Dangerous Trailer Weight!]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/_UFjXTupWHI/mqdefault.jpg)
![How To Weigh Your RV [Dangerous Trailer Weight!]](/img/tr.png)
many. many 3/4 ton truck owners need to watch this
And I'd guess that even more 1/2 ton truck owners need to watch it.
Especially 3/4 ton with diesel motors. I’ve seen quite a few with payloads close to under 2,000 pounds.
By far...This was the most “comprehensive video” on this subject. You are the best. Thanks again
EXCELLENT! Jared, thanks for not only covering this but doing in such detail, showing how the cat scale looks and is used, and - clearly - working the number through using a calculation tool. Best job of this I've seen...and sorely needed. I've been amazed at how few RV'ers have actually gone to a scale, fully loaded if at all. One addition: For significant claims, an insurance adjuster is going to check if an RV of any kind was overloaded. Denial of coverage is a real thing.
This is the best explanation of all of the RV RUclipsrs I have ever watched! Fantastic!
Good information. RV owners don’t know but really should know how much their rig weighs. “I didn’t know” won’t fly in case of a mishap. The cost to weigh and truly know how much your rig weighs beats the cost when there is damage.
I joined a bunch of FB groups just to do some research on what fully loaded pin weights of the RV’s we are looking to buy and what people are pulling them with and what there payload capacity are. I could safely say that 90% of people are hundreds of pounds over payload, some a thousand or more over. I couldn’t believe how many didn’t even know what payload was. All they care about is “tow capacity”
Wow! That worksheet will really help organize all the math & abstract numbers into an understandable picture of where a rig is at! Thank you and well done! 😎👍
This was by far the most helpful video I came across in regard to trailer weight. We leave on a cross country trip with a brand new travel trailer this week. We weighed yesterday on a nearby CAT scale and crunched all the numbers from your spreadsheet. I feel much more confident now that we know our weights are all within the parameters for our trailer and tow vehicle.
Thank you for a correct and informative video. I have done all the research myself, but I’m disgusted by all the wrong or misinformed giving advice to novices. I’d also like to thank you for providing that great worksheet you created. I’m going to forward it to all my towing buddies... Keep up the good work...
The best videos about RV's are right here.
Excellent. This is the best description/video on how to determine ‘what you can tow’ and how/why to weigh your rig.
Thanks
No first hand experience but as I understand it, when an accident with an RV is involved, the investigator has some way to check the RV weight on the site of the accident. Can't imagine how, but they do so liability is a huge issue. Thanks for this very informative video. This should be a mandatory video to watch for any RVer, new or old.
You can go online and look for the fleet towing guide for your truck. I found it quite helpful.
We just weighed our RV last week and found out we were overweight on the RV by 400 lb. the pin weight and payload was still good, but will be downsizing some of our stuff in the RV and looking to maybe upgrade our leaf springs. We don’t want them looking sad. Seen others break them and we don’t want to be part of that group. Thanks for sharing and helping others understand the importance of weight!
I definitely agree with previous comment, this is the best and most comprehensive explanation I have ever watched. You are the top of the line, "THE BEST".
Thank You.
I agree with the other comments...excellent video describing how to figure the weights.
Great video, great information! This is the best video on this subject. Thank you!
Exultant video. It is sad how many don't have a understanding of how to weigh their RV. They also don't know about loading it for balance. Again great video and everyone should download your worksheet and fill it out.
I like to keep my fresh water with about ten gallons or less in it. Just enough for traveling flushes if need be. They grey and black should be empty.... keeps the weight down big time!
The week I bought my RV I filled it with my usual stuff and weighted it.
Adjusted tire pressures.
This is such a good video to explain the subject. Wish you had kept it on RV Canada to be shared.
Well done! Its great to see accurate and great information being put out to educate RVers. So often people are bad mouthing tires for blowing out when the real problem is often that the trailer is over weight and the speed rating of the tires is being exceeded (as well as the tire being possibly under inflated).
Thank you
Fuel does not have to be counted in the payload. The manufacturer has figured payload with a full tank of fuel so that owner doesn't have to figure out weight of fuel
Another excellent video. Great explanation of all of the different weights that need to be considered for safe towing. 👍
Thanks for sharring
Excellent explanation of why TV and trailer weights are important to RVer’s! Thanks!
My 29’ Class-C’s front axle weighs out at 4500 & rear is 9100. New springs are ordered for 5k front and 11k rear while getting a 4x4 conversion. New larger front brakes, shocks and upgraded anti-sway bars too. This should overcome the usually poor suspension caused by multi-stage RV manufacturing.
EXCELLENT presentation. I've attempted to explain all this to 2 different RV friends without much success. I'm going to give them your worksheet, maybe that'll help... THANK YOU.
lol. I just commented on one of your previous videos why this is a good idea, and now I have found this video which details exactly that. I guess I should have looked at your entire library first.. :) safe travels....
For sure the best weight video I’ve seen, just perfect.
Thanks
Excellent coverage of this critically important topic.
Excellent info as we are starting out, thank you!
Thank you for the valuable information! THANK YOU for the worksheet!!!
Great details. Thank you!
Great explanations.
I read somewhere the “curb” weight includes fuel.
Yep. Need to do this! So much information. Thanks so much!
One thing IMO you should have added, is the max towing weight of the truck does not necessarily mean that is the max weight of your TT or 5ver can be, due to the profile of said trailers. The longer the trailer the more under the max towing weight you should be. Those trucks can tow utility trailers with a tractor or dozer at their reported max tow, but the profile is much smaller. A TT or 5ver, you need to reduce that max tow by 2k for trailers up to I'd say 36ft and 3k for trailers 37+ for safety in windy conditions and steep roads up thru passes. My F-150 has a max tow of 9900 lbs. I would not attempt to pull a TT with more than 7500 lbs. with it.
Thank you for explaining this. I have watched other videos and yours is by far the easiest to understand.
Agree with all the others, very good information, presented in an easy to understand way.
Saving this one fir the next time I weigh the trailer.
Thank you
Thanks Brother very useful information
My coach is 40,000 lbs... its made with oversize tires that hold 80,000 lbs.. we ride on air, no leafs or springs... My rig can take 55,000 lbs before something is going to brake... So I think if you have a cracker box under 26,000 lbs you need this video... most any light trailer and 5th wheel need to know this.
Great video. Best explanation by far. Thanks
Thank you!❤
Great video Jared. Thank you.
Wow! Thanks. I had no idea about the CAT scale!
Excellent. Thanks.
Well done, maybe now the RV community will take seriously the weight of their rigs, if your on the road please take very serious as stated the proper weight and distribution of that weight of your rigs. Make your adventures the safest they can be safe travels all 👍😊🇺🇸
get a dually and tow anything!
A newer dully can tow more but some of them in the past have surprisingly low numbers. We know people that never looked at the numbers because they got a dually truck but were way off on their numbers for weight. Dually trucks are very stable but I would recommend to still do the math and know your weights.
Wow! Great Video - Thanks.
Great video thanks
Good information, nice job
Who in the world would downvote this video?
Good information. Thanks 😊
Can anyone explain why the gvwr on the trailer sticker is 11430 and the gvwr on the other sticker for the same trailer says 13920.
Jared- this is the most helpful video on weights on YT-thanks! Question- if I’m trying to match a truck and a 5th wheel (purchasing them both)- should I go by the manufacturers listed hitch weight or use 20% of the max loaded trailer (which is way more than Grand Design listed)? It looks like they maybe took 15% of the dry weight is the only thing I can figure. Thanks!
Thanks and good question. I do take 20% of GVWR. Like you said 15% of dry weight is not realistic and almost pointless after delivery.
Great video!
Nice video!
When do you think you will have had enough time to give us your thoughts on your new lithium batteries?
Lion Energy 1300?
I will do a video on a follow up but in a nut shell they have exceeded my expectations and have been very impressive.
Great thanks for the update that's really all I was looking for.
Thanks Jared. Well done. Quick question for you..... I’ve registered with Cat Scales. What is the charge to weigh at the cat scales?
Thanks again.
$12 for first weigh of the day and $2.50 for second weigh.
Did you decide to lighten your trailer load so you get under that 13920 number a bit better?
Is a VIN number a Vehicle Identification Number number?
Yes
Great info. Do you have a spreadsheet with the calculations?
There is a link in the description to the page I used so you can download it and enter your own info if wanted.
@@AllAboutRVs THX
Thanks. :-)))) :-))))
Video request: I was checking out your links (above) and noticed that in the Amazon reviews for the Sherline trailer tongue weight scale some reviewers were describing how they used this scale not only to weigh their trailer's tongue weight but to approximate axle or wheel weights, too. Would you consider testing out these methods, and perhaps doing another video on that?
Great idea
Great video. We tow a travel trailer. When weighing both the truck and trailer should the weight distribution bars be removed?
No I would have it setup exactly how you plan to tow.
How do I get the link to print the weights form? I can’t see links Can you post it here in comments ?
I found the link
I'm gonna ask - where do you get the 28,300 from? None of these numbers add up to the 28,300. And where/when do towing limits come into play? My CR-V's GVWR is 4,564 with a CCC of 850 and a towing capacity limit of 1,500lbs.
The 28,300 is off the vin # info from the ram website and confirmed on the ram manufactured towing guide. That number isn’t on the door sticker.
Where did you get the GCWR?
I just found it in the Ford chart 23500
Hi, I want to ask a question.
I've stumbled across someone who decided to not go with DC electrical system and relied on AC electrical system for his new DIY campervan. That's mean everything from fan to light to standard AC appliances on 240V AC (he's from Malaysia).
Is it the better route than using 12V appliances when necessary?
Is it free to use the CAT scales you show? Are the truckers scales on highways free to use?
No it cost to use cat scales but is cheaper when you do multiple weights in the same day.
I can't find the GCWR anywhere. I found all the other weights, but not that one.
They like to make you work for that number. If you are having a hard time finding it you can pull up the towing guide for your manufacture and it will have it on the chart for your configuration of your vehicle
@@AllAboutRVs Thanks, I'll give that a try.
I have dealt with over weight and denied insurance coverage
Eat more veggies! JK, I couldn't resist 😂
@@chachi5975 😂 more of a meat and potatoes guy then those darn green things
Did you weight your trailer with full tank of fresh water? If not what do you do when going out to boonedock?
We would be over weight if we fully filled the fresh tank. We fill the fresh water tank close to where we will be off grid.
@@AllAboutRVs Same for me.
@@AllAboutRVs I've heard that traveling with liquid in a tank can damage the outlet fitting . Any thoughts?