Trailer Weights in the Real World

[Jon in AZ]

Originally Posted by Jon Vermilye

While the GVRW make far more sense than going by the dry weight, there is nothing to prevent an owner from overloading a trailer. .

That points to another use of the trailer weights database. After looking at the average loaded weight in the database for a model of interest, compare it to the GVWR. That will tell you if that model has ample cargo carrying capacity or if you’ll have to be careful when packing.

Obviously you can see where you stand by visiting a scale after you’ve made your purchases, but the database is really intended to help folks in the planning phase.

[trisw]

New to the forum, we own a 2021 scamp 13ft. Weighed it on the highway this weekend, fully loaded with gear for 4 campers, water tank empty, includes a rear-mounted bike rack with 2 bikes (total around 50lbs), furnace, dual propane, fridge.
Weight: 1650lbs axle + 150lbs tongue weight, total ~1800lbs.
Highly recommend the scamp.

[Terranovafox]

We have a new-to-us 2010 Scamp 16' Deluxe with birch cabinets, Air, awning, dual LP tanks, battery, shower, marine toilet. Any idea of the approximate weight dry? With a full 12Gal water tank? We have to upgrade our tug (tow vehicle) and I need a clearer reference. Thanks in Advance!!

[mary and bob]

Paul, did you look at the chart in post #1? The chart doesn't break it down to all your options and accessories, but will give you an average weight to work with.

[Terranovafox]

Originally Posted by mary and bob

Paul, did you look at the chart in post #1? The chart doesn't break it down to all your options and accessories, but will give you an average weight to work with.

Hi, Mary and Bob. Thank you for responding.
I looked at it (thanks) and I'm making my way through the posts page by page. I think I'm gonna have to find a weigh scale and see what that reading shows. So looking forward to camping in our new rig.

[gordon2]

Originally Posted by Terranovafox

... Any idea of the approximate weight dry?...

Jon maintains a spreadsheet so you really don't need to read all the posts in the thread, although you might pick up a little more information if you do.
There are eight Scamp 16's in the database. The first one is a DLX. The last two are not specified. (You likely want a tow rating of 3500 / 350 and watch the total weight limits, esp if there is a lot of cargo or people in the tow vehicle.)

The columns are:
D: Axle weight
E: Tongue weight
F: Total weight
H: Year weighed (not the year of the trailer).

[Terranovafox]

Gordon, very helpful table. Thanks for sharing. This definitely helps. I am picking up some great insights from quite a few of the posts. We have had a 1979 Trillium Jubilee for the last 8-9 yrs which we'll soon part with (much to my chagrin), but the convenience of a bathroom cannot be understated. Sadly this upgrade also means a vehicle upgrade. It numbers like those in the table above that are so helpful to searchers like me when trying to figure out what TV will work and what won't. Cheers!

[Terranovafox]

Gordon. Meant to comment on the tongue weights in the table. The variation is difficult to fathom. I guess a lot of it has tondi with how a trailer is packed and what is on the tongue (1,2LP, battery, other).

[gordon2]

Originally Posted by Terranovafox

,,,Meant to comment on the tongue weights in the table. The variation is difficult to fathom. I guess a lot of it has tondi with how a trailer is packed and what is on the tongue (1,2LP, battery, other).

I left one column off.. the percentage of tongue weight.
From top to bottom those numbers are 13, 8, 11, 8, 9, 10, 13, 7. (That last one is worrisome).

I suspect the layout is the biggest factor. When I picked up my Scamp 16 Std Layout four, battery and single tank, no water, I noticed it could start to sway a little above 65 under some conditions. So when I got home I weighed it and found the tongue weight a little light (thats more common in 16s then 13s). So I made some adjustments to get 12-13 percent on tongue and now its very stable.

But now I want to put a LifePo4 battery inside instead of on the tongue (don't want that high dollar battery stolen!) but I am concerned that the weight would be too light on the tongue. So maybe I'll do that and add a second propane tank. But propane tanks vary in weight - two tanks would be a difference of almost 40 lbs from full to empty.

[Terranovafox]

In our Trillium, I experienced trailer sway and sourced it to cargo balance within the trailer. With a little adjusting, we quickly figured it out. Our Scamp, enroute from Edmonton to St John 's NL, is due to arrive Sunday. I expect it'll be an interesting exercise of trial and error figuring out space, layout and where things will go. Having a front bath, we may have flexibility. Given a heavier base weight of the Scamp, I definitely want us to travel lighter (e.g. 1 LP vs 2). Using a stock camping checklist over this last 8-9 years should help us pare down a good portion of weight. First order of business will be to get the trailer weighed empty of our "stuff".

Thanks again.

[Jon in AZ]

Originally Posted by Terranovafox

First order of business will be to get the trailer weighed empty of our "stuff".

Thanks again.

Please report what you find. For this database, fully loaded weights are requested. The unloaded weight would be of interest to some as well, but it might be better to report it in another place to avoid confusion.

[Terranovafox]

Jon.
Thank you for the heads up. Happy to report only the loaded weight here. I would be happy to
make the base weight with a description of what features are included available by PM (private message).

Fred has done a fantastic service making this idea a reality. Reading through the posts, so too, have others by sharing their experiences and observations. To all of you, a sincere "Thank You".

[Jon Vermilye]

Just a reminder - as of today, the spreadsheet has 210 trailers listed. It can be filtered by trailer make / model, etc and calculates the average, maximum & minimum for Axle Weight, Tongue Weight & Total Weight.

If you wish to add yours, please include Length, Make, Model, Axle Weight, Tongue Weight, and trailer year.

The Spreadsheet

[Mike Meyer]

Originally Posted by Jon Vermilye

Just a reminder - as of today, the spreadsheet has 210 trailers listed. It can be filtered by trailer make / model, etc and calculates the average, maximum & minimum for Axle Weight, Tongue Weight & Total Weight.

If you wish to add yours, please include Length, Make, Model, Axle Weight, Tongue Weight, and trailer year.

The Spreadsheet

Send to you or add to spreadsheet and re-save?
I think you would like to control the spread sheet

[Jon in AZ]

Originally Posted by Mike Meyer

Send to you or add to spreadsheet and re-save?
I think you would like to control the spread sheet

Post here or send to the e-mail listed on the spreadsheet.

[Mike Meyer]

Originally Posted by Jon in AZ

Post here or send to the e-mail listed on the spreadsheet.

1985 UHaul VT Empty Gross Wt everything on scale not hitched 2400# hitched to tow off scale trailer on scale 2200# Assuming this means tongue wt 200#
Stuff I carry Without food 440# Estimated fully loaded 2900# +-

[Terranovafox]

Thank you Jon for your continuing efforts with this database. I emailed you our info for inclusion in the spreadsheet. And Thank you to all who responded or who will reply to this link. You comments and insights are truly invaluable.

As I stated a while back, we are hoping to use this info to help us in our search for a new tug (tow vehicle). We currently have a 2012 Subaru Outback 2.5i with a 2700 lb towing capacity (as long as the trailer has electric brakes). We have used our Outback to tow a 1979 Trillium Jubilee which we now have up for sale. locally.

Note: We have not towed our "new-to-us" 2010 Scamp with our current tv (Outback).

###########################
For the database:

Recorded at a local quarry on the outskirts of St. John's NL Canada at ~ 10:40 hours EST today, September 24, 2021, tow vehicle rear tires off of the scale:

2010 Scamp 16' Deluxe, plan B
3500 lb single axle

Total Wgt: 2460 lbs. (off hitch)
Hitch Wgt: 2180 lbs (on hitch)
Tongue Wgt: 280 lbs (~11.5%)


https://www.scamptrailers.com/

The trailer was dry (no water) and empty of all personal belongings, possessions and camping paraphernalia *except for 2, 3/4 full 20 lb LP bottles and a marine 12 volt battery (not Lithium) located at the front of the trailer.

Cheers. Be safe all.

[Jon Vermilye]

Originally Posted by Terranovafox

Thank you Jon for your continuing efforts with this database. I emailed you our info for inclusion in the spreadsheet. And Thank you to all who responded or who will reply to this link. You comments and insights are truly invaluable.

As I stated a while back, we are hoping to use this info to help us in our search for a new tug (tow vehicle). We currently have a 2012 Subaru Outback 2.5i with a 2700 lb towing capacity (as long as the trailer has electric brakes). We have used our Outback to tow a 1979 Trillium Jubilee which we now have up for sale. locally.

Note: We have not towed our "new-to-us" 2010 Scamp with our current tv (Outback).

###########################
For the database:

Recorded at a local quarry on the outskirts of St. John's NL Canada at ~ 10:40 hours EST today, September 24, 2021, tow vehicle rear tires off of the scale:

2010 Scamp 16' Deluxe, plan B
3500 lb single axle

Total Wgt: 2460 lbs. (off hitch)
Hitch Wgt: 2180 lbs (on hitch)
Tongue Wgt: 280 lbs (~11.5%)


https://www.scamptrailers.com/

The trailer was dry (no water) and empty of all personal belongings, possessions and camping paraphernalia *except for 2, 3/4 full 20 lb LP bottles and a marine 12 volt battery (not Lithium) located at the front of the trailer.

Cheers. Be safe all.

Added to the sortable & downloadable spreadsheet I keep at LakeshoreImages: https://lakeshoreimages.com/spreadsheets/Weight.xlsx
By the way, there are now 211 trailers listed.

[Terranovafox]

Thanks to you!

[Terranovafox]

This past Tuesday (26th), I brought our 1979 Trillium Jubilee out to a local quarry and had it formally weighed (finally after 8 years of towing it).

* This is a "dry" weight.
* The trailer was empty with only a 3/4 full 20 lb LP tank on the front and a full size spare out back.
* Trillium listed the Jubilee it in its original brochure as being 15' in length from hitch to bumper.
It's GVW is 2000 lbs (only thing I could find per the original spec sheet inside lower kitchen cupboard door.)

Here are the specs:

Off Hitch: 1740
On Hitch: 1560
Tongue Wgt: 180 (10% range)


Towed with a 2012 Subaru Outback 2.5i (Touring trim).

Note: The Trillium Jubilee Brochure and the spec sheet in the trailer state quite different numbers (1485 dry; 100-110 lb tongue weight).