RE: Load capacity?

[PopUpTrio]

 
Okay, don t laugh, as I know virtually nothing except for what I ve read here about towing weights.  Would someone please explain the load capacity figure to me.  Everyone adds it with the dry weight to determine what the trailer weighs, and then you have the hitch weight also.  To me, load capacity sounds like how much weight the trailer will hold.  If that s what it is, why do you have to assume it is at full capacity while towing it..what if you keep your tanks empty, etc.?  If I m not understanding the meaning of this term, please help me out so I don t sound like a fool when trying to buy a new camper...Thanks

[mike4947]

 PopUpTrio
Well the dry weight + " load capacity"  is called gross vehicle weight and esentaily the greatest SAFE weight for the PU. Since most PU s actually weigh much more than their advertised " dry weight"  it makes sense to use the gross weight in any figuring you do as to towing. Manufacturers are noted for giving the dry weight as low as possible by calling most things in the PU s options(Propane tanks, fridges, water heaters, furnaces, awnings, spare tire, battery, AC) that way they can boast about what great " load capacity"  they have.
 Over the years we ve weighed many a PU that was at or within gross weight coming off the dealers lot without any owner stuff in it.

[Tim5055]

 PopUpTrio
Mike has given you good information.  Check out [link=http://www.title-3.com/Hitch.htm]THIS PAGE[/link] and see if it helps any.
 

[AustinBoston]

 PopUpTrio
I agree with what mike has said.
 
 I would like to add, however, that the only reliable method for determining actual weight is to get the trailer weighed.
 
 Load the trailer (and your tow vehicle) the way you would for camping (including passengers).  Drive to a nearby truck stop and pull on to the scale.  Many people do this on their first outing of the year.  It usually costs less then $10.  You can get fairly accurate axle weights this way, and if you disconnect the trailer, you can weigh the tongue as well.  From that, you can can reliably calculate GVW of both TV and trailer, GCVW, tongue weight, etc.
 
 Austin