Help in understanding trailer weights

[Silvertwinkie]

Ok, I just can't seem to get it straight on trailer weights. So far I can read it serveral different ways. For example looking at the 2003 Bambi straight from the 2003 brochure:

GVWR is 4500lbs
UVW is 3600lbs
NCC is 900lbs
Hitch weight 500lbs.

So does the Bambi weigh 4500lbs plus the 500lb hitch weight? If so is the total weight of the Bambi is 5000lbs of which 500lbs is placed on the hitch. The axles on the Bambi are only rated for 4500lbs, yet if you include the 500lb hitch weight, the Bambi actually weighs 5000lbs which is gross plus hitch weight (since the hitch weight is Bambi weight...right? So in reality when I tow the Bambi, I am really towing a total of approx 5000lbs of weight and not simply the 4500lbs made up of UVW and NCC???

Eric

[Pahaska]

GVWR includes the total trailer, axles and hitch weights. It is the maximum the trailer can weigh if you unhitch on the scales and drive the truck away.

[Pahaska]

Airstream actually uses a 4000# axle on the 19' Bambi. If you on't believe me, look at page 45 of the Safari parts catalog. Quoting from the parts catalog, the axle is:

7430001H Axle, 4000# - 19 FT

Add the 5000# hitch weight to the REAL 4000# axle capacity and you have the 4500# GVWR. Why Airstream would placard the axle capacity at 4500# is a mystery to me.

[Silvertwinkie]

Thanks John. I see it's pretty clear on the Bambi given the info. So the next question is the 25' Safari six sleeper.

Looking at the '02 and '03 info, it has GVWR at 6300lbs (both years). Also both years have listed 680lbs for hitch weight which based on your info would be part of the 6300 GVWR of the Safari 6 sleeper for those years if I read you right.

Now, (and it wouldn't be that hard to believe the info on the website is possibly wrong) the website has the same trailer at a:

Factory weight w/o options or variable weight: 5270lbs

Hitch weight w/o options or variable weight: 750lbs

Additional allowable weight: 596lbs

So now the trailer has increased to 6616lbs gross from 6300lbs. The others seem to be the same as they have been the last few years, but the 6 sleeper numbers just don't make any sense.

http://www.airstream.com/product_lin...fari_spec.html

Any ideas what the GVWR of the 6 sleeper really is?

Thanks again,

Eric

[Silvertwinkie]

I believe you are right. Although the trailer is not nearby (cause of the big bad tree that fell), I seem to recall looking at the side marker that had the axle weight being 4000lbs adding the 500# hitch weight making it 4500lbs.

The reason I am asking this is because I am trying to understand what I am now actually towing compared to what I'm considering--the 25' Safari 6 sleeper.

Eric

[Pahaska]

I have no idea how the 25SS can be 350# heavier than the other 25' models. The dinette can't weigh more than 100# complete and it replaces the larger credenza which would offset some of the weight.

However, I have been watching the specifications on the A/S site ever since I bought my trailer (5/2002) and there has been a steady stream of small errors. For instance, my trailer was on the web site simultaneously at 5000# GVWR and 5300# DVWR. My trailer is placarded at 5000#, but later (and identical) trailers are placarded at 530#.

I have trouble taking anything seriously except by examining the plate on a trailer at the dealer (and then I have found some inexplicable items).

[Silvertwinkie]

Well, the website (for '04) and the '03 still show a credenza installed with the front couch and the dinette. The dinette appears a bit wider, but that wouldn't make it 300+ pounds. I could be just reading it wrong.

If you take a look at the weblink for the specs, let me know if it makes any sense. Comparing it to the brouchure on the other 25 footer, if I take it the other way, it weighs less than the 6300lbs.

http://www.airstream.com/product_lin...fari_spec.html

Anyway, if anyone can tell me what the GVWR of the 6 sleeper is with the info that's out there I'd be impressed cause either my math is bad, the specs have changed a bunch since the last two years or the info on the site is wrong.....


Eric