Congratulations on your new trailer from another happy Bigfoot owner. I think the others have given you some good advice already. You're smart to start with things like the
tires. Tackle the safety issues first - tires,
axle, running
lights, your hitch set-up etc. I would recommend trailer
brakes if your rig doesn't already have them. Maybe take your trailer to an RV shop and have them pressure test your
propane lines. Things like that. Once it's road worthy you can actually take it out camping - the fun part!
As for
weight. Trailer manufacturer's weights just can't be relied on, especially with the older rigs. I believe manufacturers now weigh each trailer when it's all finished so the customer gets a much more accurate
weight "dry weight". In the old days, things were more in the nature of a ball park figure I think. Bigfoots got heavier as the years went by and more features were added. Previous owners my have added things along the way to your Bigfoot that weren't originally there, like an
awning. Ours is a 1987 and weighs in about 2800 - 3000 lbs when loaded to go camping - full
propane tanks, 1/4 to 1/2 full fresh water tanks and empty holding tanks. I believe the newer 17' Bigfoots weigh even more. There is a great spreadsheet on this site that gives "actual" weights of trailers which we wish we'd seen before we bought our Bigfoot. Search the site for "trailer weights in the real world" and you'll find it.
PS - pictures of your trailer would be cool! Keep us posted on your progress.