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Old 02-12-2011, 06:21 AM   #1
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1988 Excella 32' GVWR Confusion!

I took a look at as many threads as my brain would allow and I'm still confused about my Excella.

Its a '88 Excella '32 that was modified by the PO (the Canadian DND) as a "classroom". It has much less in it right now than it will when I've reno'd it (or a stock trailer) and the modification plate welded to the frame says that the trailer weighs 8600 lbs....this is the max GVWR for most stock 2500's.

So when I read that similar Excella's only weigh 7200 or less depending on the thread I end up scratching my head....as my "shell" weighs more than finished trailers in addition to going against almost every thread on GVWR and TV size for the same size and year trailer.

Plus the tongue weight is around 600 lbs, maybe 800?, its under alot of snow right know and I haven't looked at it in about 6 months.

Granted, this hinges on whether or not that plate is correct!

We aren't buying a TV for a bit as we still need to reno but we do use it from time to time as a rolling tent with a 2500 Silverado, short trips only.

Any clarity would be appreciated.
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Old 02-12-2011, 06:42 AM   #2
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The only way you are going to know the true weight of the trailer is by putting it on a scale. Many truck stops have scales and you can get the true numbers for a few dollars. I would get it on the scale and drop it from the TV to get the true total number as well as the tongue weight.
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Old 02-12-2011, 09:12 AM   #3
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sitting in a 88 excella when I read this, so I went out and looked at the tag. Gross weight is listed at 8300 lbs, with each axle rated to 4000. Sounds to me like the PO was able to re-tag the GVW somehow. I have not weighed this trailer yet. I did weigh my 25, 88, excella. It has a listed gvw of 6800, and hitched and loaded it puts 5800 on the axles. My guess is that the longer model will be a little closer to the gvw.
does your tag list the actual dry weight of the trailer or the gross weight?
Airstreams pull easily. I think almost any 2500 will handle it with no probems. Be sure you are under the maximum weight on each axle of both the trailer and the truck. Which you will be.
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Old 02-14-2011, 07:51 AM   #4
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Well there are a couple of things I figured out over the weekend....first, my memory is crap. And second, if you grip your children by the ankles when you throw them into a 5 foot fluffy snowbank they catch really good air!.....in case you're worried about my parenting skills I drew the line at biffing them off the 12 foot high deck. Although they complained when I said no ;-)

Between the bad parenting, snowblowing, and shovelling I was able to get a peek at the "tag" on the hitch....this is when I realized my memory was crap but here goes...

It appears to be from an accredited company of some sort, and the weights are:
Gross vehicle: 8,000lbs
Axle L: 3,850lbs, R:3,850lbs
Tongue: 450lbs

I did find this nifty calculator last night:
Travel Trailer Weight Calculator

But when I input the spec #'s it comes up with a max trailer weight of around 7,100lbs, assuming a weight dist hitch allowing an increase to 1,200lb tongue weight.

Am I over thinking this....?? could it be as easy as 16,000lbs GCVW minus 5,770lbs (GVW for the TV) equals 10,230 lbs max trailer weight?
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Old 02-14-2011, 09:57 AM   #5
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oops I forgot, the specs I used were for a 2005 Suburban 2500. we don't own one I just found the manual online....plus I found a pic of the vehicle specs from an online auction.
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Old 02-14-2011, 11:02 AM   #6
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What the book says:

Here are the weights for the various configurations of your trailer for that year. It's lighter than you think! Of course, these are all "empty", so you can add all your "stuff" to these weights, including water, AC, and so on...

Click the image to make it readable.
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Old 02-14-2011, 02:55 PM   #7
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Thanks,

Wow it is light....I'm not sure if the DND (PO) were including a couple dozen soldiers in that weight or they had really heavy pencils.
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Old 02-14-2011, 02:58 PM   #8
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Well, the DND (Department of National Defence, for the American readers) might have made the floor out of lead, to protect against being scanned by Beta rays to influence their decisions.
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Old 02-14-2011, 03:10 PM   #9
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You're not wrong....I've been at CFB Gagetown for a meeting with a Lt Colonel. When the door was closed the back of the door was padded in leather there was NO outside sound. It was eerily....that and the fact that the lad could probably have destroyed me in 8 different ways with his little finger made it even more intimidating.
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Old 02-14-2011, 03:16 PM   #10
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Say that is SOME nice trailer! Take a minute and read up on how to add photos to your post, it's more fun to show us as well as tell us about your rig.

Yes, we Canadians don't often say it, but we are proud of our boys in uniform, too.

Cheers,

Aage
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Old 02-14-2011, 05:15 PM   #11
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Will do
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Old 02-16-2011, 01:31 PM   #12
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Sure. If you subtract the loaded TV weight from the GVW what is left is how heavy the loaded trailer can be. In the specs you list, the tongue weight does not sound right. Most reccomendations are for 10% or so of the loaded weight to be on the tounge. What has this trailer got in it? The airstream weights should include the appliances, cabinets, etc. I your trailer is closer to a shell it should be lighter. In my opinion, the gross total weight for the vehicle is less important than the loading on each axle of the trailer and the TV. I would not want to exceed it, but the airstream probably loads the vehicle less in power that a similar weight 5th wheel, for instance.
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Old 02-16-2011, 02:23 PM   #13
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Hi, Bill. Are you referring to the little chart I pasted into post #6? I found that somewhere here on Airforums. I've had it so long I can't remember exactly where I got it, though.

Since these are "dry" weights, I believe that means how it would have come from the factory before any options (like AC), fluids, or owner's "stuff" was added. Cabinets, appliances, plumbing, etc are all included. The older TTs were quite a bit lighter than they got in the late '80s.

It's easy to imagine that another 1,500 lbs could go into the TT, with an AC unit,some fresh water in the tank, food, clothes, bedding, etc. If so, that would make the 32-footer with dinette (6,500 dry) around 8,000 ready to go.

So in that case, a hitch weight of 800 lbs as entered in that sheet would be 10% of total.

Sorry, but I don't understand your last sentence. Can you explain that a bit more for me, please?
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Old 02-17-2011, 03:00 PM   #14
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Here is a link to my gallery pic's

- Photo Gallery

Considering the lack of stuff 8000 lbs seems a bit steep. However, all interior furnishings are made our of 3/4" oak plywood which is heavy....but not that heavy

Once the snow melts I'l have to take it out for a run to the nearest scale.
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Old 02-17-2011, 09:16 PM   #15
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Yes, that's true. The numbers in that chart I posted are for trailers with toilets, bathtubs, sinks, a lot of copper plumbing, water pump, tanks, stove, refer, water heater, furnace, in short a Bunch of Stuff!

It's going to be interesting to see what it really weighs!
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Old 02-27-2011, 08:19 AM   #16
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Any final numbers yet?
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Old 03-21-2011, 05:58 PM   #17
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The snow just left last weekend, now I have to wait for the ground to dry up a bit so the beast and the TV don't become permanent fixtures in my side lawn. Another week or so as long as there aren't any major rains. I'm anxious to see as well, I think the weight on the tag is WAY over actual.
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Old 03-21-2011, 06:14 PM   #18
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So being an ex DOD unit does the ownership read:
Trailer, Airstream, Excella, Classroom. This only makes sense to any CDN military members.
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Old 03-21-2011, 07:56 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wasagachris View Post
So being an ex DOD unit does the ownership read:
Trailer, Airstream, Excella, Classroom. This only makes sense to any CDN military members.
Chris,

Shouldn't it be:

"Trailer, Airstream, Excella, Classroom, soldiers, for the use of" .....

Now, I think that the weight Rob&Julie mentioned (8,600 pounds) was the maximum GROSS weight for the trailer, which, given the weight in the chart I posted would make sense. I don't think it's too hard to put a couple thousand pounds of "stuff" into a 32' trailer.

But let's wait to see what it weighs...
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Old 03-21-2011, 08:28 PM   #20
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Aage add aluminium, silver, self contained, non-propelled.
I think I will don my coat, mens, combat, green and think about it some more.
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