Getting to the bottom of early 00's Classic GVWRs

[dex110]

According to the AS weight chart and other sources it seems the GVWR of the 31' Classic creeped up between 02 and 05 from around 8000# to 10,000#, which it remains today.

I have a 2002 31' Classic- whos VIN ID plate on the side states a GVWR of 8300# which is in direct contradiction to the weight chart linked above, but in agreement with the spec sheet from that year.


(The weight chart also lists the '02 base weight as 7150#, although with empty grey/black, one empty LP bottle, half full water tank and very little cargo it clocked in at close to 8000# UBW.)

Here is a sample from the weight sheet:

all 31' Classics- UBW / GVWR:
'02 = 7150 / 8700# or 8300# ??
'03 = 7200 / 8700#
'04 = 7880 / 8700#
'05 = 7030 / 10,000#

So my question is does anyone know if they just started building them with more robust frames and axels after '02 or did the way they measure GVWR change in those years- do you think the weights pre '05 were "grossly" under rated?

If my VIN plate is accurate and the truck scale I used was close- with a GVWR of only 8300# and a UBW of 7600-8000# that gives me barely any carrying capacity.

[ROBERT CROSS]

I think AS was in denial back then.....no cargo allowed.

CCC.....Our 2003 Classic.


...... 7300lb with two 3500lb axles....


POI.....some newer models are equipped more realistically.

I would rely on the VIN plate, not the spec's in the trailer description.
You also have the build sheet to go by.....


But even the VIN plate can be rong.....

Note the difference in the plate and whats actually on the trailer. (15x7 not 15x6)



They don't seem to pay very close attention to what the heck their doing.



Bob

[dex110]

Thanks Bob.

So- in your experience have you gone over that 676 CCC? What is your experience?

Seems all fairly inconclusive to what is actually going on with the trailer.

Also- your GVWR is probably more than the combined GAWR because GVWR takes tongue weight load distribution into consideration (at least I'm assuming?). However, only 300# of tongue weight also sounds reeaaaally low.

Anyone else have ideas on what the safe limit to push is? It's going to be pretty hard to full time if I only have a budget of 300-500#s...

[ROBERT CROSS]

Dex,

Yes....I have loaded way more than the 676, it's hard not to when you boondock most of the time.
I usually have a trailer weight of around 7650#, fully loaded with WD set.
A tongue weight of between 1100-1200# loaded, unhitched and a receiver load of 840#, hitched, loaded, level with WD set.

The trailer is on jack stands with the axles unloaded when not in use which helps longevity.

I watch the tires constantly, (pressures & temp), and visit the CAT scales just to be on the safe side when I think the weights are out of out normal parameters.
Cruise at 60-65 mph and use a Hensley hitch with 1000lb tapered WD bars.

It would have been nice had JC seen fit to install 4000lb axles.

Bob

[dex110]

Great insight. newbie questions but WD means Weight Distribution, right? What does "WD set" mean in the context of having it weighed?

Also, when you put it on jacks what contact points do you use? And how do you elevate the trailer to get the body high enough to take weight off the axels.

I know the stock stabilizer stands are not for leveling or putting actual weight on.

Do you have 4 car jacks or something?

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by dex110

Great insight. newbie questions but WD means Weight Distribution, right? What does "WD set" mean in the context of having it weighed?

Also, when you put it on jacks what contact points do you use? And how do you elevate the trailer to get the body high enough to take weight off the axels.

I know the stock stabilizer stands are not for leveling or putting actual weight on.

Do you have 4 car jacks or something?

In my language.....

Set means WD bars under proper tension for the load being towed.

Jack stands on the axle mounting plate....Pic=1000 words.
Lift one side at a time, lower slowly making sure stands are level, (equal load at all four contact points.)
One stand between each of the axles and one behind, at the end of the mount plate.
During the Season, with the tires mounted, I'll use just the stands between the axles. That allows me to raise & lower the tongue jack if needed.
Bob

[KJRitchie]

I have a 2008 Classic 25fb with 8000 GVWR. I think I'll check that plate. I think mine has the Dexter axles vs Henschen axles.

Do you put your trailer on jack stands for winter storage or do you do this during the whole towing season?

Kelvin

[ROBERT CROSS]

Kelvin,

Normally it went on stands just for Winter storage.

But since 2012, due to circumstances I have no control over, our Seasonal usage has been very limited.

Result being, the tires are on and covered and "Cloudsplitter" is in the air.... on the stands.

[Al and Missy]

Remember that the CCC includes everything added to the trailer from the point where it was equipped with all standard equipment. On my trailer that stuff (propane gas, electric jack, microwave, CD changer, and spare tire) added about 140#. That said, my trailer appeared to be about 340# overweight. I weighed the trailer, backed out everything that wasn't on the trailer when it rolled off the line with standard equipment, and compared that to the specified unloaded weight. That 340# was a significant fraction of my CCC. That's one reason why I went to a 3/4T truck - more payload. In my situation with the 1/2T truck I was marginal for payload on both the TT and TV.

Al

[jcanavera]

My '03 30' Classic Slide Out was rated at 9,100 lbs GVWR. With full fresh water tanks and propane the CCC was 666 lbs.

Jack

[KJRitchie]

Here is my weigh plate for my 2008 Classic 25fb with 8000 GVWR.

The axles are 3800lb so 400lbs must be relegated to the tongue jack.

Kelvin

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by KJRitchie

Here is my weigh plate for my 2008 Classic 25fb with 8000 GVWR.

The axles are 3800lb so 400lbs must be relegated to the tongue jack.

Kelvin

Kelvin,

Have you been to the scales?

Then you would know exactly how much the axles are supporting when WD set.

Bob

[KJRitchie]

Nope, what I don't know won't hurt me

I know I need to weigh it just so I know what I'm working with. However lets say I load up the truck for a typical outing (Tundra Double Cab 2wd) and hitch up the trailer with our typical load which is usually a few clothes, partially filled fridge and usually about 10 gallons of fresh water and discover the weight on the axles exceeds 7600lb? I doubt that would be the case but the trailer is rated 8000 GVWR and "This vehicle conforms to applicable Federal motor vehicle standards ....".

But if the axles were overloaded I have no options. I'm certainly not going to get new axles installed. Might just throw up my hands and give up on RVs.

Kelvin

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by KJRitchie

Nope, what I don't know won't hurt me

I know I need to weigh it just so I know what I'm working with. However lets say I load up the truck for a typical outing (Tundra Double Cab 2wd) and hitch up the trailer with our typical load which is usually a few clothes, partially filled fridge and usually about 10 gallons of fresh water and discover the weight on the axles exceeds 7600lb? I doubt that would be the case but the trailer is rated 8000 GVWR and "This vehicle conforms to applicable Federal motor vehicle standards ....".

But if the axles were overloaded I have no options. I'm certainly not going to get new axles installed. Might just throw up my hands and give up on RVs.

Kelvin

I've been at least 600-725# over since new.

BUT....it's dead level when towing, use 1000# WD bars for as soft a ride as possible with correct weight being moved, AS on stands, axles un-loaded for extended non-use.

I was much more concerned about it 8yrs ago......today, not so much.
Let the next owner worry.

Bob

[KJRitchie]

I'd like to see the plate off a 2015/16 25fb. The listed GVWR for a FC 25fb is 7300lbs. I wonder if they have 3500lb axles too. If all 2000+ model year Airstreams are set up to where you add the 2 axles ratings together and are less than the GVWR by 300-400lbs I guess nothing to worry about. Trucks when you add the axles ratings together always seem to have a higher number than GVWR.

I'm over payload on my Tundra and now probably on my AS. Great.

Kelvin