Weighing Your Camper: A Step-By-Step Guide

Weighing a camper is an important safety precaution that can prevent accidents and vehicle damage. The weight of a camper will depend on its type, size, and features. For example, a small travel trailer will weigh less than a large one, and a camper with more features will weigh more than a basic model. The weight of a camper also includes the weight of its water supply and any gear.

There are several methods for weighing a camper, including using a truck stop scale, quarry scale, or dump scale. When weighing a camper, it is important to keep the setup consistent and to ensure that nothing changes between weighings. Additionally, it is important to consider the weight of the camper in relation to the towing capacity of the vehicle that will be used to pull it. Exceeding the towing capacity of a vehicle can cause damage to the vehicle and compromise safety.

Weighing a camper at a truck stop

Before You Go:

• Install the "Weigh My Truck" app on your phone. This app will make the weighing process much more convenient, as it eliminates the need to go inside a weigh station to get your weight slips. Your results will be displayed on the screen and also emailed to you.
• Set up an account on the app and provide your credit card details. When asked for the company, you can simply put "Private".
• Ensure your vehicle has a full tank of gas or diesel. It's not common to plan a weigh-in ahead of time; usually, you'll find yourself at a truck stop and decide to weigh your camper. However, it's good to be prepared by having a full tank.
• Understand the process for your specific rig type. The procedure varies slightly depending on whether you have a motorhome, travel trailer, fifth wheel, or truck camper. Motorhomes are the simplest, requiring only a single weight. Travel trailers are the most complex and usually require three weighings, while fifth wheels typically need two.

At the Truck Stop:

• Pull up onto the scale and position your vehicle correctly. For motorhomes and truck campers, align your front wheels on the first scale, rear wheels on the second, and your tow vehicle on the third. For travel trailers, position your truck's front wheels on the first scale, rear wheels on the second, and the trailer's wheels on the third. Fifth wheels are similar to motorhomes, but with the trailer's axle(s) on the third scale.
• Confirm your alignment by jumping out and checking that your vehicle is properly positioned on the scales.
• Use the app to capture your weight. You can refer to the app's video tutorials for a better understanding of this step.
• Obtain your weight slips. With the "Weigh My Truck" app, your weight results will be displayed on the screen and emailed to you. If you're not using the app, you'll need to go inside to get your weight slips.
• Compare your weights against the ratings for your RV. This includes checking your gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), front gross axle weight rating (GAWR), rear gross axle weight rating (also GAWR), and gross combined weight rating (GCWR) if towing a car.
• For travel trailers, it is recommended to perform three weighings: with the weight distributing hitch (WDH) engaged, without the WDH bars, and with the truck only. This will provide a more comprehensive understanding of your trailer's weight distribution.
• Evaluate your results using online tools such as TowingPlanner.com. Plug your numbers into the relevant calculator for your rig type (motorhome, travel trailer, or fifth wheel) and compare the results against your vehicle's specifications.

Weighing your camper at a truck stop is typically inexpensive, usually costing around $11-13 for the initial weighing and $2-3 for each additional weighing within 24 hours. It is recommended to perform all weighings at the same time to ensure consistent results. Remember to refer to the truck stop's specific instructions and guidelines for using their scales.

Calculating camper weight

Understanding Weight Terminology

First, let's understand some basic weight terminology. The "tare mass/weight" or "dry weight" refers to the weight of the camper when it is empty. This includes fluids like coolants and oils but only a small amount of fuel. The "curb mass/weight" includes a full fuel tank and is the standard weight of the vehicle for everyday transport. The "gross mass/vehicle weight" (GVW) is the total weight of the vehicle when it is fully loaded, including all accessories and cargo. It is important to know these terms to understand your vehicle's weight specifications and capacity.

Finding the Camper's Weight

To find the weight of your camper, you can use a weighbridge or weigh station. You can usually find these online or on the side of a highway. This will give you an accurate weight of your vehicle and camper before you set out on your journey. You can also refer to the owner's manual or the manufacturer's website to find the weight specifications of your camper, including the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating), which is the maximum weight the camper can safely handle.

Understanding Weight Ratings

Now, let's understand some important weight ratings. The GVWR is the maximum weight the camper can handle, including cargo and fluids. This value is set by the manufacturer and should not be exceeded. The GVW refers to the actual weight of the camper when it is fully loaded. It is important to ensure that the GVW does not exceed the GVWR. The payload is the maximum load, including towing, that your camper can safely carry, as specified by the manufacturer.

Weighing Your Camper

When weighing your camper, follow these steps:

• Weigh your vehicle and camper together: Pull onto the scale so that the driver's window is aligned with the intercom. This will ensure that the front and rear wheels of your vehicle and the wheels of your camper are all on separate scales.
• Weigh your vehicle only: Remove the camper and weigh your vehicle by itself. This will give you the weight of your vehicle without the added weight of the camper.
• Calculate the camper weight: Subtract the weight of your vehicle-only from the weight of your vehicle and camper combined. This will give you the weight of your camper.
• Compare to GVWR: Compare the weight of your camper to the GVWR specified by the manufacturer. Ensure that you do not exceed this value.

Additional Considerations

When loading your camper, consider the weight of water, food, gear, and passengers. Water is particularly heavy, weighing about 8 pounds per gallon. Calculate the weight of your water tanks and the weight of all the items you plan to bring. Add the weight of your passengers and gear to get an accurate estimate of your total weight. Remember to stay within the GVWR to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip!

Camper weight vs vehicle size

When it comes to campers, weight is a critical factor that determines various aspects of your camping experience, from where you can travel to how much it will cost. It is important to understand the weight metrics of your camper to ensure a safe and enjoyable journey.

The weight of a camper can vary significantly depending on its style and size. For example, a small camper can weigh anywhere from 500 to 4,500 pounds, while a larger travel trailer can weigh up to 9,000 pounds. The weight of a camper is often directly proportional to the number of amenities it offers and the amount of space available.

To ensure a safe and comfortable journey, it is crucial to match the towing capacity of your vehicle with the weight of your camper. Several weight designations and abbreviations come into play when understanding the true maximum towing capacity of your vehicle. Here are some important terms to know:

• Dry weight or UVW (Unloaded Vehicle Weight): This refers to the weight of the camper when it is empty, without any cargo, water, or passengers.
• GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating): This is the maximum loaded weight that your vehicle can safely operate, including the weight of the empty vehicle and any cargo.
• GCWR or GCVWR (Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating): This specifies the maximum weight rating for your tow vehicle and camper combined, including the GVWR of both the vehicle and the camper.
• Curb weight: The weight of the vehicle when it is empty, excluding any fluids required for operation, such as fuel or oil.

When choosing a camper, it is advantageous to select one that fits your towing designations first. This way, you can ensure that your vehicle can safely tow the camper and that you are within the towing capacity limits. Additionally, it is important to consider the weight of passengers and cargo in your tow vehicle, as they will also affect your maximum towing capacity.

To find the exact weight of your camper, you can use "wheel position weighing," which is available at RV weigh stations. This process involves setting each wheel of your RV individually on a scale to determine if it is overweight. You can also calculate the dry weight by unloading all equipment, including propane tanks and batteries, and weighing your trailer and tow vehicle separately.

In conclusion, understanding the weight of your camper and how it relates to your vehicle's towing capacity is crucial for a safe and enjoyable camping experience. By familiarising yourself with weight designations and seeking out accurate weighing methods, you can ensure a smooth journey and avoid potential problems caused by an overweight camper.

Camper weight and water

Water is heavy. A single gallon of water weighs 8.3 pounds, so a 40-gallon tank will add 332 pounds of weight to your camper. That's why it's important to know how much water your camper's tanks can hold. If you're heading to a destination with a usable water supply, you can save weight by only filling your tank partway or not at all.

Water weight is just one of the many factors to consider when calculating your camper's total weight. You'll also need to take into account the weight of supplies, passengers, and cargo. The average camper weighs 5,200 pounds, but that's just the dry weight. Once loaded, the average camper gains an additional 1,500 pounds of weight.

To ensure safety and avoid damaging your vehicle, it's crucial to know the total weight of your camper and trailer. This includes the weight of the trailer itself, any cargo or supplies packed inside, and the weight of passengers. Only then can you determine if your vehicle can handle the weight and has the power to tow the camper uphill.

There are a few methods to weigh your camper and trailer accurately. One way is to use a truck stop CAT scale, which typically costs around $10-15 for the initial weigh and $1-3 for each re-weigh. Another option is to find a weighbridge or weigh station and get an accurate weight of your vehicle and camper for a small fee.

When weighing your camper, it's important to follow these steps:

• Fill your vehicle's fuel tank before entering the scale.
• Remove or account for any items that are not typically carried during travel, such as the weight distribution hitch.
• Ensure that passengers remain in the vehicle during the weigh to get accurate results.
• Compare the weights against the ratings for your camper and vehicle, such as the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR).

By understanding the weight of your camper and trailer, you can make informed decisions about water supply, cargo, and passenger weight to ensure a safe and enjoyable journey.

Camper weight and passengers

Camper weight is an important factor when planning to buy a camper or trailer. The weight of a camper or trailer can affect where you can travel, how much it will cost, and how you get there.

Weight Terminology

There are several terms used to describe the weight of a vehicle, camper, or trailer:

• Dry weight/unloaded weight: The weight of the vehicle, camper, or trailer without any added cargo, fuel, or passengers.
• Tare mass/weight: The weight of a vehicle as it stands empty, including fluids such as coolants and oils but with only a small amount of fuel in the tank.
• Curb mass/weight: The same as tare mass/weight, but with a full fuel tank. Excludes accessories such as roof racks and tow bars.
• Gross mass/weight/gross vehicle mass/gross vehicle weight/GVW: The total weight of a vehicle, camper, or trailer when it's fully loaded. This includes the curb mass/weight plus all accessories and extra load.
• Payload: The maximum load (including towing) that a vehicle, camper, or trailer can carry, as specified by the manufacturer.
• Gross vehicle axle weight/mass: The maximum load that a vehicle's front and rear axles can bear, as specified by the manufacturer. The combined total axle weight exceeds the gross vehicle mass because there is a safety margin.
• Gross vehicle weight rating/GVWR: The maximum weight a vehicle, camper, or trailer is rated to carry, including cargo, fluids, etc.
• Load capacity: The total weight of the cargo a vehicle, camper, or trailer is rated to carry.

Camper and Travel Trailer Weight Ratings

In addition to the above terms, there are also specific weight ratings for campers and travel trailers:

• Tare mass/weight: The weight of an empty trailer or camper, also called the dry weight.
• Gross vehicle weight rating/GVWR: The maximum weight that a travel trailer or camper has been designed to carry, including the combined weight of the trailer or camper itself and whatever it is carrying (payload).

Weighing Your Camper or Trailer

To find the exact weight of your camper or trailer, you can take it to a weigh station or truck stop with a scale. You can also use a mobile weigh scale that slides under each wheel. It is important to weigh your camper or trailer fully loaded to get an accurate idea of its total weight.

Passengers and Weight

The weight of passengers in the tow vehicle will also affect the maximum towing capacity, so it is important to include this weight when calculating your total weight. This can be done by weighing the tow vehicle with all passengers inside.

Frequently asked questions