How is a trailer rated for GVWR

[BFaoro]

How is a trailer rated for Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. I ask because I am looking into purchasing a flatbed. The ones I have looked at are rated at 14,500, another one , this one looked beefier except for torsion axels , was rated at 9,500. Both trailers are 20' long with a 4' dove tail, duel 7,000 axels, 2x6 wood deck. These trailers were not made by the same company. Any help ??

 

[Lurch]

Generally they are rated according to the weakest component. Axles, tires, frame strength etc. . However, some states change the liscensing requirements when you go over 10K #'s, so some manufacturers will "underrate" a trailer just to get around that.



Just my experience.

Lurch

 

[RAMalama]

It's a good question 'cause when I total up my E rated tires on my fifth wheel, it's listed GVWR exceeds what the tires can handle. Go figure...

 

[Alan Reagan]

The weakest component rating is correct, but usually with a specified load rating for the tires. It's the axles, frame. Most states, however, base tax rates on the GVWR of the trailer. 10,000 is the breakpoint so many manufactures will rate a 14,000 GVWR trailer at 10,000 to give the buyer a break every year in states where ad valorem tax structure is used. This way they sell more trailers even tho they are underrated.

 

[RustyJC]

GVWR on trailers can easily be higher than the sum of the ratings for the axles or tires. That's because the GVWR includes the load carried by the axles plus the load carried by the hitch. In the case of our 5th wheel, GVWR is 13,500 lbs, but the axles are only rated for 12,000 lbs. The pin load, however, is 2,500 lbs. This means the GVWR is OK since it is lower than the combined axle and pin load of 14,500 lbs. The 1,000 lb difference between GVWR and combined axle and pin load ratings just gives us flexibility in where we place loads in the trailer.



Rusty

 

[RAMalama]

THANKS RUSTY !!!

I was wonder'in cause I just did a cross country trip. San Diego, CA to Elizabeth City, NC in July. All told it was 4150 miles because of the sights I saw. Whole time I was worried about the tires and heat (both weather and tire generated). Never even came close to a problem but was worried the whole time! Not any more! My pin weight is listed at 2500. That easily gives my axels the room they need!



My CGWR was 20,660. At least I was under the truck's CGWR. And now I know I'm good.

 

[rob10858]

the deck over the wheel flatbed trailor is best as far as trailer space goes, but watch the tire rating on some of these trailers. if you take the ratings of all four tires, combine them, and then take into consideration the weight of the trailer itself, they can easily exceed the ratings when loaded . alot of towers look at the gvwr of the trailer and think thats how much weight that they can haul. wrong. the gvwr is the gross weight, not net weight. our 13500 lb flatbeds weigh around 6500 lbs empty. you just cut the net weight, or the amount being towed, by quite a bit. also, if you pull a flatbed, look between the deck and the tires for signs of "bottoming out" this will tell you better than any scale, as to the amount of weight that your trailer can handle.