Gross Weight Question

[danielsumner]

Tried to find the answer to this online, couldn't find it. For example. A trailer's dry weight is 2000 pounds, the total axle weight for cargo is an additional 1000 pounds. Here's the question. Does the cargo weight include me, the person. I'm a big guy 250 pounds. Would I be able to load 1000 pounds of cargo or My Big Behind and 750 pounds. Hope this question makes sense.

Thanks

Daniel

[webslave]

By and large (no pun intended), that "cargo load" would have to include you, so, that would limit it to 750 lbs. Your cargo load would also have to include the weight of all the "options" that are on the trailer; i.e., battery, propane that's in the tanks, the awning, the microwave, etc., even the "mandatory options"...the dry weight of the trailer is for the "stripped to the bones" version.

All that being said, if you are right at the limit, and you really shouldn't routinely carry so much that your frame/suspension is "maxxed out", I would not worry too much about the adding of yourself to the load calculation. By and large, when you add yourself to the equation, you'll be parked in a campground or at home with the tongue jack down and the stabilizers set. These will help support any "overage" that adding your 250 lbs. might add to the total load. You definitely, though, should never be "over" when your trailer is set for on the road towing.