I read the dry weight listed is not actual dry weight of trailer on lot???

[TXDIANIMAL]

I read the dry weight is not actual dry weight of trailer on the dealers lot.

I found this on one the posts:

"That dry weight really means nothing. That's the weight BEFORE any options. A fridge, an ac, wh, slide, several slides, are all options. Even the awning. It's more of a number the salesman can use to talk someone into buying a rig with too small of a tow vehicle. Well, maybe not exactly, but it's not a number you can use to calculate anything. It's required by the feds. What exact model is it and how is it equipped?"

Is the above true? What does "wh" above mean?
If true, will dealer take the trailer off lot and weigh it before selling it to you?

[mo5er]

I would guess the poster meant water heater. As far as a dealer taking a unit to a scale and weighing it, I doubt if many would do that for you

[elliott-maine]

my Redwood came with a sticker on the door which gave the weight after production with all options and accessories installed by the manufacturer. A handy number to have.

[BFlinn181]

Near as I can tell, Dry Weight is required, but open to definition by each manufacturer. Some list weight of bare bones RV without options, fluids, batteries, etc. Some do define with standard add ons, other don't. This allows them to show higher cargo capacity and get folks to buy a trailer that's actually too big for their tow vehicle.

If I were about to pay the $$$ for a new RV, I'd demand a scale certificate before buying. That would be the only way to be sure.

[dayle1]

The dry weight listed in a brochure or on a web site is not going to be accurate, too many changes that are missing from out-of-date info. Even something that is a standard item may become an option later in a model year. Some brands actually weigh each unit when it finishes production and place a sticker inside the unit. Mine states 9244 lbs, weighed by J.C. on scale # CR5.

[Skip426]

As more and more RVers get onto the fact that the dry weight is , questionable at best and an out an out lie in some cases, maybe manufacturers will weigh and post for individual units , but then dealer installed options aren't included.

Would a dealer take a unit to the scales before you purchased?
Only if forced to do so in most cases. If in doubt , make it a requirement in any offer you make , if they refuse , take your money elsewhere.

[wingedone]

Originally Posted by TXDIANIMAL

I read the dry weight is not actual dry weight of trailer on the dealers lot.

I found this on one the posts:

"That dry weight really means nothing. That's the weight BEFORE any options. A fridge, an ac, wh, slide, several slides, are all options. Even the awning. It's more of a number the salesman can use to talk someone into buying a rig with too small of a tow vehicle. Well, maybe not exactly, but it's not a number you can use to calculate anything. It's required by the feds. What exact model is it and how is it equipped?"

Is the above true?

I don't know how true that is. Where have you ever seen a slide as an option. What maybe 1 model in 500?

My example. The brochure weight is 12,450. The sticker on the trailer says 12,510. My loaded weight is 14,580. About 2k weight of add on is not unusual. So my guess is that my unloaded weight on the trailer sticker is pretty accurate.

[BFlinn181]

Originally Posted by wingedone

I don't know how true that is. Where have you ever seen a slide as an option. What maybe 1 model in 500?

Slides might not be an option, but batteries, A/C, awnings, upgraded granite counters, generators, etc. could be. As I said, from all that I read, dry weight can vary is defined by the manufacturer, not a legal requirement.

It's a real advantage to under report dry weight, it makes it look as if it's cargo weight is greater than it actually is. The fact that some RVs have individual dry weight ratings is a step in the right direction, but I wouldn't assume it to be true in most cases. BUYER BEWARE. Especially if you are tip-toeing along a limit close to your tow vehicle's capacities.

[Superslif]

Mine ( 25' tt) has a decal by the door handle stating "this unit weights XXX with added options delivered".

[6.6]

my brochure says 10.5, yellow sticker says 11.3, actual with camping gear is 11.7

[BFlinn181]

Originally Posted by 6.6

my brochure says 10.5, yellow sticker says 11.3, actual with camping gear is 11.7

Dry weight is weight of trailer, without water, food, clothes, or camping gear.

[Cumminsfan]

Trailers are federally mandated to have a weight sticker on them as they leave the factory. The sticker is with options that were added at the factory. If anything was added by the dealer then it needs to be accounted for. If the sticker on the trailer says it weighs 11,000lbs the unless then dealer added something then it's pretty close to that. If someone has to worry about the weight of 2 batteries or 2 full propane tanks then they're looking at too much trailer, plain and simple.

Ignore brochure weights and follow the trailers stickered weight and no one should have any problems.

[wandering1]

Its the best you are going to get. Take it or get the trailer weighed.

[BCooke]

Mine stated 13373 on the door. The dealer added 1 12 volt battery and filled the propane tanks. If the door sticker is correct and giving the benefit of the bottom of the weight (CAT scales measure to 20lbs) that means those two items weighed 608 lbs on my unit.

I do not trust the stickers but the max weight still remains the same, you just have to put less in it.