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actual loaded conditions.
Under inflation of a tire can cause poor handling, irregular wear, and decreased fuel
economy. It also causes extreme heat build up within the components of the tire,
which can lead to failure. Over inflation of the tire causes a deformation of the contact
patch resulting in crowning of the center tread. This causes handling problems such as
reduced traction, irregular wear, and an increased chance for impact damage.
Only after the individual loaded weight is known for each wheel position can a
recommended air pressure be utilized using the load and inflation tables included in
this web site.
If there is a difference between one side of the RV versus the other, the load must be
redistributed so weights are as even as possible. As stated, you can be overloaded by
specific wheel position, as well as one side compared to another. Such a situation can
cause stresses on tires, wheels, and other components.
Always check air pressure with an accurate air gauge at a cold PSI. Never reduce
pressure when a tire is hot and never exceed the maximum cold pressure molded
on the sidewall.
The following work sheets are used for determining your loaded weight by wheel
position using a conventional platform scale.
How to Determine the Accurate Loaded Weight of Your RV?
Gross Axle, Gross Vehicular, and Gross Combined, weight ratings are located in
the chassis owner’s manual.
To properly weigh a travel trailer, it should first be weighed, including the tongue
weight, while detached from the pulling vehicle. This actual overall weight must be
less than or equal to the GVWR for safe operation. If the overall weight is greater than
the GVWR, some contents must be removed until maximum GVWR limitations are
achieved. Once the actual overall weight is determined and the trailer is within GVWR
limits, the following weights must be determined:
1. Weight of complete trailer, while attached, but excluding towed vehicle. This will
result in the actual weight which is exerted on all of the trailer tires. This weight
may be subtracted from the overall trailer weight (above) to determine actual
“tongue” weight.
2. With the trailer still attached to the towed vehicle, each wheel position
should then be weighed separately to be sure each tire is not overloaded.
If and overload condition exists on any wheel position, trailer loading must
be redistributed or removed. If an overload situation is not corrected, tire or
mechanical failures may occur.
3. The individual wheel positions (particularly the rear positions) on the towing vehicle
should also be weighed for possible overload while the trailer remains attached.
This is especially important on 5th-wheel applications where tongue weight may
be extreme.