Trailer Weights...What are They Really?

[Ken A]

I recently bought a 1991 17' Bigfoot, and just got back from a two week camping trip with it. With minimal gear in it, and water tanks all empty it weighed in at 2500lbs not including tounge weight which I estimate at ~250. So in total approx. 2750lbs. Since the dry weight written on the trailer is 1870lbs, I can't really account for the extra 880 lbs...

One full propane tank and one empty: 40lbs
One battery: 60lbs
Spare wheel: 50lbs
Awning: 50lbs
My gear: 200lbs.
--------------------
400lbs.

Where the other 440lbs comes from is beyond me. I have no AC. Does have a hot water heater, but this should be included in dry weight along with the fridge, etc... no?

Towing with 1998 4runner V6 by the way (rated for 5000# towing). A little underpowered, but does the job. A little slow on steeper hills. Wouldn't want to tow it lots.

[E. Graham]

Towing with 1998 4runner V6 by the way (rated for 5000# towing). A little underpowered, but does the job. A little slow on steeper hills. Wouldn't want to tow it lots.

Ken, we tow our Casita (2820 lbs when loaded for a trip) with a 1997 4Runner equipped with the tow package. We drive so as to stay under 2000 rpm. Consequently, we generally slow to about 40 mph (65 kph) going up long or steep hills.

Apart from that, however, we don't seem to be underpowered. I hope you will not take offense if I ask whether, before you accelerate, you turn off the overdrive and turn on ECT Power?

Elisabeth

[Dean & Mary]

I've never been in a BigFeets, but I suspect that the good stuf like double-glazed windows add pounds.

The thermal windows upgrade added 81 pounds to a core weight of 3,610 in my 2006 21' Bigfoot. The thermal windows are the second heaviest option next to the AC at 86.50 pounds. If you get every option available, the trailer weighs 4,162.33 from the factory. My factory sticker weight is 3,750 lbs with the options we have installed. It probally weighs 5,000 lbs camping ready. I hope to get it on the scales soon.

[Ken A]

Ken, we tow our Casita (2820 lbs when loaded for a trip) with a 1997 4Runner equipped with the tow package. We drive so as to stay under 2000 rpm. Consequently, we generally slow to about 40 mph (65 kph) going up long or steep hills.

Apart from that, however, we don't seem to be underpowered. I hope you will not take offense if I ask whether, before you accelerate, you turn off the overdrive and turn on ECT Power?

Elisabeth

My 4runner doesn't have a tow package, but I installed a 5000lb hidden hitch, a brake controller and a 7-pin connector. Forgot to mention, we also had the truck loaded up with a total of 2 adults, 2 dogs and a bunch of gear including 2 full coolers. My axle weights were 950kg (2090lbs) on the front axle, 1280kg (2816lbs) on the rear axle and 1150kg (2530lbs) on the trailer axle. No weight distribution hitch. Also, my 4runner is a manual transmission, so no overdrive or ECT. I drove from Calgary, Alberta to Tofino, BC (check it out in google maps) which is about 1300km each way, and through the rockies. I would not rev the engine higher than 3000rpm for fear of hurting it. On the steepest of hills, which I only encountered a few times, I would be in 2nd gear at about 2500rpm going about 40km/hr. On the majority of steepish hills, like the majority of the hills on the Coquihalla highway, I could manage in 3rd gear at about 70km/h. But for 90% of the driving I would stay in 4th or 5th gears.

One thing I did notice is that it is hard work on the gears and transmission. On the gear shifter and 4WD shifter, the shafts were warm/hot to the touch. I can imagine that it causes more wear on the gears, and replacing the transmission/diff fluids more regularly would be a good idea with the towing. I also noticed that when trying to manoever the trailer, it was hard on my clutch. In one instance, I was trying to back the trailer up an incline while turning and could feel the clutch slipping on me...then that smell of burning clutch....eek! From now on, when I am manoevering the trailer to park it, I go to 4-Low and problem solved.

[E. Graham]

Ouch! Ours is an automatic, though I'm not sure that it makes a difference.

I lived in Alberta for 3 years before I moved to Vancouver, and have driven from Calgary to Tofino many times --- but not with a trailer in tow.

Cheers,
Elisabeth

[Pete Dumbleton]

Without a doubt, the worst times I gave the clutch on my previous truck was backing into sites, esp on rough ground and/or inclines.

4Low is indeed the solution for that because the gearing is so low that the clutch can ease into it.

[rudock1]

Another 13' Perris Pacer weighing in..... at 1220 lbs gross weight total. The tongue puts 240 lbs on the hitch.

Empty drawers, cupboards and closet, 10 lb propane, battery, spare tire, no water.

Add another 250 lbs fully stocked up. Probably at 1500 lbs gross weight loaded with food to go.

thx
Billy

[BC Paul]

17' Escape Plan "B" with shower.

Loaded with "stuff" for 4 people for 5 weeks, water tank full, grey and black empty.

2610# at axle and 320# on the tongue = 2930#

Towed great the entire trip. Not a single hiccup!!!!

[Frederick L. Simson]

I weighed a total of 16 trailers (and tow vehicles).

• 1995 Casita Freedom 16'
• 1975 Boler 13'
• 2008 Escape 17' plan B
• 1973 Hunter Compact II (13')
• 1972 Compact Jr. (13')
• 2001 Casita Spirit 17'
• 2002 Casita Spirit 17'
• 2002 Casita Spirit 17'
• 2005 Casita Spirit 17'
• 2008 Casita Spirit 17'
• 2006 Casita Liberty 17'
• 1989 Bigfoot 17.5'
• 2008 Bigfoot 21 (R
• 2005 Bigfoot 25 (RQ)
• 2000 Burro 17' Widebody
• 2008 Oliver Elite

[b]After doing this for the 2009 Weigh-in, I am posting the 2008 Weigh-in data below:

#1
[b]95 CASITA FREEDOM 16
TRAILER AXLE 1: Left=[b]1240, Right=[b]1340
TOTAL AXLE WEIGHT=[b]2580
COMPUTED HITCH WEIGHT=[b]240
TOTAL TRAILER WEIGHT=[b]2820

#2
[b]75 BOLER 13 (WITH BRAKES)
TRAILER AXLE 1: Left=[b]820, Right=[b]760
TOTAL AXLE WEIGHT=[b]1580
COMPUTED HITCH WEIGHT=[b]220
TOTAL TRAILER WEIGHT=[b]1800

#3
[b]08 ESCAPE B
TRAILER AXLE 1: Left=[b]1300, Right=[b]1200
TOTAL AXLE WEIGHT=[b]2500
COMPUTED HITCH WEIGHT=[b]500
TOTAL TRAILER WEIGHT=[b]3000

#4
[b]73 HUNTER COMPACT II
TRAILER AXLE 1: Left=[b]860, Right=[b]780
TOTAL AXLE WEIGHT=[b]1640
COMPUTED HITCH WEIGHT=[b]80
TOTAL TRAILER WEIGHT=[b]1720

#5
[b]72 COMPACT JR
TRAILER AXLE 1: Left=[b]760, Right=[b]780
TOTAL AXLE WEIGHT=[b]1540
COMPUTED HITCH WEIGHT=[b]60
TOTAL TRAILER WEIGHT=[b]1600

#6
[b]05 CASITA SPIRIT
TRAILER AXLE 1: Left=[b]1440, Right=[b]1560
TOTAL AXLE WEIGHT=[b]3000
COMPUTED HITCH WEIGHT=[b]360
TOTAL TRAILER WEIGHT=[b]3360

#7
[b]89 BIGFOOT 17.5
TRAILER AXLE 1: Left=[b]1420, Right=[b]1180
TOTAL AXLE WEIGHT=[b]2600
COMPUTED HITCH WEIGHT=[b]380
TOTAL TRAILER WEIGHT=[b]2980

#8
[b]02 CASITA SPIRIT 17
TRAILER AXLE 1: Left=[b]1220, Right=[b]1340
TOTAL AXLE WEIGHT=[b]2560
COMPUTED HITCH WEIGHT=[b]380
TOTAL TRAILER WEIGHT=[b]2940

[Frederick L. Simson]

#9
05 BIGFOOT 25
TRAILER AXLE 1: Left=1940, Right=1800
TRAILER AXLE 2: Left=1420, Right=1260
TOTAL AXLE WEIGHT=6420
COMPUTED HITCH WEIGHT=1420
TOTAL TRAILER WEIGHT=7840

#10
00 BURRO 17 WIDE
TRAILER AXLE 1: Left=1520, Right=1380
TOTAL AXLE WEIGHT=2900
COMPUTED HITCH WEIGHT=360
TOTAL TRAILER WEIGHT=3260

#11
01 CASITA SPIRIT 17
TRAILER AXLE 1: Left=1380, Right=1600
TOTAL AXLE WEIGHT=2980
COMPUTED HITCH WEIGHT=300
TOTAL TRAILER WEIGHT=3280

#12
08 CASITA SPIRIT 17
TRAILER AXLE 1: Left=1420, Right=1480
TOTAL AXLE WEIGHT=2900
COMPUTED HITCH WEIGHT=400
TOTAL TRAILER WEIGHT=3300

#13
02 CASITA SPIRIT 17
TRAILER AXLE 1: Left=1300, Right=1360
TOTAL AXLE WEIGHT=2660
COMPUTED HITCH WEIGHT=560
TOTAL TRAILER WEIGHT=3120

#14
08 BIGFOOT 21RB
TRAILER AXLE 1: Left=1400, Right=1520
TRAILER AXLE 2: Left=1240, Right=1040
TOTAL AXLE WEIGHT=5200
COMPUTED HITCH WEIGHT=1160
TOTAL TRAILER WEIGHT=6360

#15
08 OLIVER ELITE
TRAILER AXLE 1: Left=1760, Right=1800
TOTAL AXLE WEIGHT=3560
COMPUTED HITCH WEIGHT=340
TOTAL TRAILER WEIGHT=3900

#16
06 CASITA LIBERTY 17
TRAILER AXLE 1: Left=1560, Right=1580
TOTAL AXLE WEIGHT=3140
COMPUTED HITCH WEIGHT=680
TOTAL TRAILER WEIGHT=3820

You will note that all hitch weights are "Computed". That is because in addition to weighing the trailer's axles, I weighed the Tow Vehicle twice; Once hitched up, and once unhitched. I then subtracted the latter from the former to compute the hitch weight indirectly.

[Lee Senn]

Pam I do not have a Burro but a 13 foot Uhaul. I realize they are not exactly the same but should be close ( I think the Uhaul might be a smidge heavier ?) and the weight loaded with no water in the tank was 1600 lbs. Hope this helps, tongue weight was 180 lbs ( the Uhaul has a really heavy hold down device for the propane tank on the tongue ). Lee

[CD Smith]

There is something strange about the weights for #13. Any explanation why the 17' SD axle weights is so light and the hitch weight is so high?

[james kent]

Looks like a simple typing error, done in the wee hours, on the total axle weight. Should be 2660. Therefore the total weight would be 3120.

[Dean & Mary]

We finally weighed our Bigfoot 21rb trailer hooked and unhooked after packing it for a 2 week plus trip.

The fridge and a large cooler were packed full, black and grey tanks less than two gallons, fresh water tank 5 gallons, and hot water tank was full.

Results for our 2006 BIGFOOT 21RB

TOTAL AXLE WEIGHT = 5300
COMPUTED HITCH WEIGHT = 780
TOTAL TRAILER WEIGHT = 6080
Hitch Weight Percentage = 12.8 %


Dean

[Frederick L. Simson]

Looks like a simple typing error, done in the wee hours, on the total axle weight. Should be 2660. Therefore the total weight would be 3120.

[Dana T]

It seems it's not only us fiberglass RVers that are surprised at how much more they weigh than we're led to believe -- take a look at this link!
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseacti...675/page/22.cfm

Holy Moly, it's time to get a commercial truckdrivers license!