Weighing your camper trailer is crucial for safe towing, legal compliance, and preventing costly damage to your vehicle and trailer. This comprehensive guide provides a detailed explanation of how to accurately weigh your camper trailer and understand the critical weight terms involved.
Why Weigh Your Camper Trailer?
Ignoring the weight of your camper trailer can have serious consequences. Overloading can lead to tire blowouts, brake failure, and instability while towing. Furthermore, exceeding your tow vehicle’s or trailer’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) is illegal and can result in fines and voided insurance coverage. Finally, understanding weight distribution is critical for stability and prevents trailer sway, a potentially dangerous situation. Accurately weighing your camper trailer is an essential safety precaution.
Methods for Weighing Your Camper Trailer
Several methods exist for weighing your camper trailer, each with varying levels of accuracy and convenience.
CAT Scales (Certified Automated Truck Scales)
The gold standard for accuracy is using a CAT Scale, found at most truck stops. These scales are designed for weighing commercial vehicles and offer precise measurements of each axle and the overall weight.
Steps for Weighing with a CAT Scale:
- Locate a CAT Scale: Use the CAT Scale Locator app or website to find a nearby location.
- Prepare Your Vehicle and Trailer: Ensure your camper trailer is loaded as it would be for a typical trip, including water tanks filled (if applicable), propane tanks, and gear.
- Position Your Rig on the Scale: Follow the instructions on the CAT Scale screen or from the attendant. Typically, you’ll position your tow vehicle and trailer so that each axle is on a separate scale pad. Ideally, the front axle of your tow vehicle, the rear axle of your tow vehicle, and the axle(s) of your camper trailer are each on a different pad.
- Complete the Weighing Process: Follow the prompts on the screen or use the CAT Scale app. You’ll typically need to provide your truck and trailer information.
- Receive Your Weight Ticket: The CAT Scale will generate a ticket showing the weight of each axle and the total weight of your rig.
Advantages of CAT Scales:
- High Accuracy: CAT Scales are certified and regularly calibrated.
- Detailed Measurements: Provides weight information for each axle.
- Convenience: Available at most truck stops.
Disadvantages of CAT Scales:
- Cost: There is a fee for using CAT Scales.
- Accessibility: May require driving to a truck stop.
- Potential for Congestion: Truck stops can be busy, especially during peak hours.
Portable Scales
Portable scales offer a convenient alternative for weighing your camper trailer at home or on the road. These scales are typically smaller and less expensive than CAT Scales but may not be as accurate.
Types of Portable Scales:
- Axle Scales: These scales are placed under each axle to measure the weight.
- Tongue Weight Scales: These scales are specifically designed to measure the tongue weight of your trailer.
Steps for Weighing with Portable Scales:
- Choose the Right Scales: Select scales that are rated for the weight of your camper trailer and axles.
- Prepare Your Vehicle and Trailer: Ensure your camper trailer is loaded as it would be for a typical trip.
- Position the Scales: Place the scales on a level surface and carefully position each axle on the scales. For tongue weight scales, place the scale under the trailer tongue.
- Record the Weight: Read the weight displayed on the scales and record the measurements.
Advantages of Portable Scales:
- Convenience: Weigh your trailer at home or on the road.
- Cost-Effective: Typically less expensive than using CAT Scales in the long run.
- Flexibility: Can be used to measure tongue weight and axle weights independently.
Disadvantages of Portable Scales:
- Accuracy: May not be as accurate as CAT Scales.
- Setup: Requires careful setup and positioning.
- Weight Capacity: May have limited weight capacity.
DIY Methods (Proceed with Caution)
While not recommended for precise measurements, DIY methods can provide a rough estimate of your camper trailer’s weight. These methods involve using bathroom scales or other household items to estimate the weight. These methods are not reliable and should not be used for making critical safety decisions.
Why DIY Methods are Not Recommended:
- Inaccuracy: Bathroom scales are not designed for weighing heavy loads.
- Safety Risks: Attempting to weigh a trailer with inadequate equipment can be dangerous.
- Legal Implications: DIY weight measurements are not accepted for legal compliance.
Understanding Key Weight Terms
Understanding the key weight terms associated with camper trailers is essential for safe towing and legal compliance.
- Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW): The actual weight of the camper trailer, including all cargo, fluids, and passengers.
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): The maximum permissible weight of the camper trailer, as specified by the manufacturer.
- Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR): The maximum weight that can be supported by each axle of the camper trailer, as specified by the manufacturer.
- Tongue Weight (TW): The amount of weight that the trailer tongue exerts on the tow vehicle’s hitch. Typically, TW should be 10-15% of the trailer’s GVW.
- Dry Weight (also known as Unloaded Vehicle Weight (UVW)): The weight of the camper trailer as it leaves the factory, without any cargo, fluids, or passengers.
- Cargo Carrying Capacity (CCC): The maximum weight of cargo, fluids, and passengers that the camper trailer can carry. Calculated as GVWR – UVW – Weight of full fresh water tank(s).
- Tow Vehicle’s Towing Capacity: The maximum weight the tow vehicle can safely and legally tow.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about weighing camper trailers:
FAQ 1: Where can I find the GVWR and GAWR of my camper trailer?
These ratings are typically found on a certification label affixed to the trailer, often near the door or on the trailer’s frame. The label will provide important information about the trailer’s weight limits. Also, your owner’s manual will have that information.
FAQ 2: How often should I weigh my camper trailer?
You should weigh your camper trailer at least once a year and whenever you make significant changes to the load or configuration of your trailer. Regular weighing ensures you are within the weight limits and maintaining safe towing conditions.
FAQ 3: What is the ideal tongue weight for my camper trailer?
Ideally, your tongue weight should be 10-15% of your camper trailer’s Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). This range provides optimal stability and reduces the risk of trailer sway.
FAQ 4: How can I adjust the tongue weight of my camper trailer?
You can adjust the tongue weight by rearranging the cargo inside your trailer. Moving heavier items towards the front of the trailer will increase tongue weight, while moving them towards the rear will decrease it.
FAQ 5: What happens if my camper trailer is overweight?
Towing an overweight camper trailer can lead to tire blowouts, brake failure, instability, and damage to your tow vehicle and trailer. It is also illegal and can result in fines and voided insurance coverage.
FAQ 6: How do I calculate the Cargo Carrying Capacity (CCC) of my camper trailer?
The CCC is calculated by subtracting the Unloaded Vehicle Weight (UVW) and the weight of full fresh water tank(s) from the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). CCC = GVWR – UVW – Weight of full fresh water tank(s).
FAQ 7: Can I weigh my camper trailer with a bathroom scale?
No, bathroom scales are not designed for weighing heavy loads and are not accurate enough for determining the weight of a camper trailer. Using a bathroom scale is not recommended and can be dangerous.
FAQ 8: What is the difference between dry weight and GVWR?
Dry weight (UVW) is the weight of the trailer as it leaves the factory without any cargo, fluids, or passengers. The GVWR is the maximum permissible weight of the trailer, including all cargo, fluids, and passengers.
FAQ 9: How do I know if my tow vehicle is capable of towing my camper trailer?
You need to check your tow vehicle’s owner’s manual for the towing capacity and GVWR. Ensure that the GVW of your loaded camper trailer does not exceed your tow vehicle’s towing capacity and that your tow vehicle’s GVW (with the trailer’s tongue weight added) doesn’t exceed your tow vehicle’s GVWR.
FAQ 10: What is trailer sway, and how can I prevent it?
Trailer sway is a dangerous side-to-side movement of the trailer while towing. It can be caused by overloading, improper weight distribution, or crosswinds. Prevent trailer sway by ensuring proper tongue weight, using a weight distribution hitch, and driving at safe speeds.
FAQ 11: Do I need a special license to tow a camper trailer?
Licensing requirements vary by state. Check your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) regulations to determine if you need a special license or endorsement to tow your camper trailer. Typically, if the combined GVWR of the trailer and tow vehicle exceed a certain weight limit (often 26,000 lbs), a commercial driver’s license (CDL) or a non-commercial Class A license may be required.
FAQ 12: What is a weight distribution hitch, and why should I use one?
A weight distribution hitch helps to distribute the tongue weight of the trailer evenly across the axles of the tow vehicle and trailer. This improves handling, stability, and braking performance, especially when towing heavier trailers. It’s highly recommended for larger camper trailers.
Conclusion
Weighing your camper trailer is not merely a suggestion; it’s a critical component of responsible RV ownership. By understanding the weight terms, utilizing accurate weighing methods like CAT Scales or portable scales, and adhering to the guidelines outlined in this article, you can ensure a safe, enjoyable, and legally compliant camping experience. Prioritize safety and take the time to weigh your camper trailer regularly – the peace of mind and security it provides are invaluable.