WEIGHING YOUR TRAILER
In order to make sure the trailer is not overloaded you should periodically weigh it
in a loaded condition. You will want to check the weight on the axles on travel
trailers with the trailer hitched to the vehicle as well as when not hitched if you
are using a weight distribution hitch. On fifth wheels you will need the weight of
the truck to determine the pin weight of the fifth wheel. Please review the
following guidelines for weighing your trailer.
Travel Trailers
Pull your fully loaded travel trailer onto the scale and leave it hitched to the
vehicle as shown in Diagram A. This will give you the actual Gross Axle Weight
(GAW) as pulled down the road. Check your Federal ID label to see what the
maximum rating for your axles is and make sure they are not overloaded. If
necessary, redistribute or remove weight within the trailer.
Diagram A.
Diagram B. Lower your front jack
and unhitch the trailer as shown in
diagram B. Record this weight.
This weight is necessary to
determine the hitch weight.
Diagram C. Next, move the trailer
so that the front jack and the axles
are on the scale as shown at left.
This will give you the Gross Vehicle
Weight (GVW). This weight must
not exceed the trailer’s GVWR. If it
does you will need to remove some
cargo from your trailer.
To determine your hitch weight, take the final GVW and subtract the axle weight
recorded per diagram B. Most hitch weights should fall between 9-15% of the
total trailer weight. You may have to shift some of your cargo to remain within
this parameter.
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