Dry weight vs Gross weight

[BarbaraRose]

I was just browsing thru some RV ads and saw one (17 ft travel trailer) that listed the dry weight as 3700 lbs and the gross weight at 7522 lbs. What could you possibly put inside a trailer that would add up to almost 4000 lbs? That seems like a huge difference especially in that small of a trailer. Most trailers I look at have a cargo weight around 1200 lbs or so. Any thoughts or could that be a typo? Just curious...

[snowball]

Barbie I think I'm going for a typo...but who knows I'm with you though in that small of a trailer where would you put that much weight?
sheila

[Cougarfan]

I think it is a typo as well. I'm guessing for a 17' trailer, the gross weight would be closer to 4500# if it has 2 axles. The 4 and 7 are next to each other on the 10-key. If it only has 1 axle, I would look very close at the weight rating for that axle. Most single axle trailers have axles that are only rated to 3500#.

Manufacturers are notorious for occasionally putting under-rated axles on towables. A few people in one of my forums, with 30' + 5th wheels with a posted 10,000# GVWR (or more), find out (after their axles fail) that the manufacturer only put 2, 3500# axles on them. The dry weight is usually more than that...

Laura

[IrishIroamed]

Just Google the make & model. I've found specs when I see something online for older models of RVs, trucks, etc when I was really looking.

[BarbaraRose]

Actually, I did do that and they all say the same thing so it must be legit. Just can't imagine putting that much weight in a small trailer like that. Other than water which I wouldn't fill up anyways, what else would be that heavy to add up? Would just have some dishes, clothes, small appliances, etc.

I am just looking at possibilities for the future but really loved the layout of this one but would be too heavy for my Jeep probably anyways.

[Cougarfan]

What is the make/model of the trailer?

[BarbaraRose]

Here is a link to it... http://www.shorewoodrv.com/Home/Invento ... -17BH.aspx

[Cougarfan]

Oh, right. Yup, those are heavy trailers with beefy frames and axles.

I towed a TT with a Jeep Liberty. The first trailer, a Jayco Jayflight SLX 145RB was a breeze to tow. My second trailer, a Holiday Rambler 189QB, not so much. I think the LIberty is a good tow vehicle for the right trailer. Just stay within your payload (found inside the driver's door jamb) and less than 20' and I think you'll be okay. I had some leaking issues with the Jayco, but I really liked the floor plan and it was perfect for one or two people. Tons of counter space and enough storage for weekend camping. Any single axle trailer should have a max GVWR of about 3500# and that should be easy for the Jeep. Anything over that and you'll be pushing the limit.

I had a near-death experience towing the bigger, heavier trailer with the Jeep and immediately traded it for a half-ton pickup. The Jeep wasn't heavy enough to control the trailer in big wind and with the short wheelbase, I was all over the road. I stopped for gas about 25 miles from home on that trip and considered dropping the trailer at the gas station and just going home. I made it home, but never towed the trailer with the Jeep again.

Just my .02 worth based on my experience with the Liberty.

Lots of really nice trailers out there that aren't expensive that your Jeep can tow. The right one will come along when you aren't even looking!

Good luck!

Laura

[BarbaraRose]

Yeah, I figured that one was a little too big for my Jeep even without considering the weight. Just loved the layout.
Thanks for your input!

[Azusateach]

My Hideout was the exact same layout, and even pulling it with my V-8 Explorer I felt under-powered. It wasn't until I got the Expedition with a different gear ratio and longer wheelbase did I finally feel like I had the right set-up.

Just because your vehicle might be rated to pull that much weight doesn't mean it should. Libertys have a pretty short wheelbase, and I imagine just about any TT would feel like the tail wagging the dog.

If you're intent on pulling something with your current car, I'd be very, very careful that you stay at about 80% of it's towing ability and make sure you've got enough wheelbase to handle the sway. And there will be sway, even with sway controls. Honestly, I wouldn't pull anything over 15' in a TT with your current car. Pop-ups ... that's a bit different. They don't have the wind resistance, and that helps with the sway. Besides, they don't come in longer than 12' boxes, and even with the front storage don't measure out to much more than about 16'.

If you really want a TT, save your pennies and get a truck. You'll have lots more options.

Laura

[MelissaD]

If it was a toy hauler I could see the 4,000# but otherwise I thing we put about 1,500# in our with the extra A/C unit, cast iron cookware and 15 plus lawn chairs phoenix insists we need for when the kids show up once a year But I just saw it as a reason for my F350 DRW pickup

Mine has about 4,000# cargo capacity but with 160 gal of dirty water (2 - 40 gray and 2 - 40 gal black) and 48 gal of FW storage that's 208 x 8 = 1,664# of water. So I guess I can use 3,000# of it but I have a 37' 5er not a 14' TT.


Have fun shopping.

[Redetotry]

Barbie, Have you ever considered buying a small C. If you stayed at 24' or under you could park it pretty easy, plus, since you want to move and aren't sure where, you could live in it until you decide. It would be really easy to move from place to place. That way you would only have one vehicle and also save paying rent. If you went to AZ, and didn't like it, all you would have to do is drive away.
You could even workcamp until you found Nirvana!

[gingerK]

Barbie, Have you ever considered buying a small C. If you stayed at 24' or under you could park it pretty easy, plus, since you want to move and aren't sure where, you could live in it until you decide. It would be really easy to move from place to place. That way you would only have one vehicle and also save paying rent. If you went to AZ, and didn't like it, all you would have to do is drive away.
You could even workcamp until you found Nirvana!

I agree with BJ, and then you could also bring your cat with you.