'85 25' Sovereign Weight?

66Overlander · 02-06-2005, 11:24 PM

Since there are at least 4 of us on the Forum now, and since I haven't had a chance to check the weight of our trailer yet, I'd though I'd see if anyone else has checked theirs.

The Airstream Web Site lists the '85 25' Sovereign as having a Dry Weight of 4900lbs. and a Hitch Weight of an unusually high 755 lbs (or already over the recommended range of 10-15%) before adding fluids & gear (which I would expect would add to the hitch weight even more). Can this Hitch Weight number possibly be correct? Their web site indicates that the 25' Hitch Weight drops to a still high 700 lbs in 1987 when the Dry Weight increases to 5100 lbs. (I assume due to the changeover from Tambours to Raised Panel Doors on most storage compartments). My owners manual "confirms" the 4900 lb. dry weight, but does not mention Hitch Weight. Can these numbers possibly be correct?

Have any of you actually weighed your '85 25" Sovereigns (either unloaded or loaded for a trip)? Can you confirm that the Airstream numbers are "in a ballpark" (or preferably are "too high" at least for Hitch Weight)? If you have, please let me know of any significant options or modifications that your trailer has than may impact the numbers. Thanks.

driftwood · 02-07-2005, 01:10 PM

When I traveled this last Spring & Summer I stopped at a truck scale, out of curiosity. I was fully loaded, including the 'kitchen sink'.

Front two axles (Excursion) = 8,420
Rear two axles (Airstream)= 6,280

I have never placed the tongue on a load cell, nor weighed individual wheels.

alan · 02-07-2005, 08:43 PM

My weights:

Trailer axles - 4700 lb
Tongue - 640 lb

This is loaded, ready to go, but no water.

I have an 03, 3/4t Suburban. GCW is 11,980 lb.

66Overlander · 02-07-2005, 09:14 PM

Droftwood,
You must have the trailer pretty well loaded. A loaded weight of 6280 lbs. is probably right at the limit if you add the hitch weight in, as I think the trailer Gross Weight Rating is 6800 lbs. (which includes hitch weight). How does it pull at that weight?

I suspect (hope?) that we'll be traveling a little on the lighter side. My main concern was the high hitch weight reported by Airstream, and maybe I won't confirm if that is true until we can get ours to the scale.

Anyone know of any scales near the Detroit Metro area?

alan · 02-07-2005, 09:23 PM

Look up commercial scales in the Detroit area. I picked up my trailer in 2003 in Northville and there were a number of listings in the yellow pages.

66Overlander · 02-07-2005, 09:30 PM

alan,
Wow, another '85 25' corner bed. That makes at least four of us on the forum.

Anyway, your numbers are in line with what I'd expect: 4700+640=5340 lbs. Add in 50 gallons of water (approximately 400 lbs.) and you're still OK on Gross Weight. And 640 lbs. tounge weight sounds much better, too.

Yeah, in the spring I'll be looking for a scale. I'll try the Yellow Pages. I assume a "commercial scale" would be at a truck stop or similar, correct?

alan · 02-07-2005, 09:40 PM

Yes, commercial scales can be found at truck stops, gravel pits and household movers to list a few. Typical fees are around $5-7.

davidz71 · 02-18-2005, 07:03 PM

We have a commercial scale right up the road at a recycling yard, i.e. alum. cans, metal, stuff like that. 18 wheelers roll in there, weigh and drop their loads.

kenny2 · 02-18-2005, 07:37 PM

I must be a rare person indeed. Owned a 1985 25' rear corner bed that I bought from a fellow from Bozeman, MT, in 2000. In Colorado, one has to get a weight at a certified scale and a vehicle ID to license a trailer purchased from out of state. On the local Atlas van line scale it weighed around 5200 lbs. The trailer was about empty. About a year and a half later I then sold the trailer to a fellow from Brookings, Oregon. At that time of my life, I was working like a dog to stay on the corporate treadmill and it just sat, figured someone else could put it to use. My wife never forgave me for selling it
even though I tried to pacify here with a 1977 Minuet 6 Metre.
BTW, this trailer weighed about #2450 (bought it on E-bay from a fellow from Whidbey Island, Wash, so again it had to be weighed). Took it on a long trip up thru BC and Alberta and it towed like a champ.

Last May I got lucky again, found a 1987 25' rear corner bed Sovereign in eastern Oregon that I picked up for the asked for price of $7000. It weighed in at #5400. This model has the wooden overhead cabinets and my trailer also has a wrap around rear window , neither of which were on the 1985. This trailer was missing the couch and table which I was able to find and install. Also has some pitting (light, like sand blasting) on the lower front panels below the window. Ohterwise a stanup trailer. Oh, also had to redo the curtains.

I have been strongley advised to never sell this trailer and I won't make that mistake again.

I doubt that I would be able to find a third!!!