Understanding max loads and effects of overloading a 31' 5th wheel

[surfergirl]

Hi everyone!

We've just bought a 2009 Carriage Domani DF310 (31') 5th Wheel from my in-laws, and we're halfway finished remodeling it. We are planning to take it from Texas to Mexico. Once there, it will mostly reside in the same place. I'm trying to make sure we don't overload it, but would appreciate your thoughts on weight loads.

As we've remodeled, we've been very sensitive to add as little extra weight as possible, and to make sure we do so as evenly as possible. In some places, we replaced a heavier built-in with a lighter one, and in others we are replacing a lighter item with a heavier one. It was hard to measure the weight (and we forgot to) of the items coming out, so we are thinking it might make sense to weigh the thing at this point to confirm where we are.

Here are the specs:
Sleeps 5
Slides 3
Length 30 ft 11 in
Ext Width 8 ft
Ext Height 12 ft 11 in
Hitch Weight 1800 lbs
Dry Weight 10150 lbs
Cargo Weight 1650 lbs
Fresh Water Capacity 72 gals
Grey Water Capacity 62 gals
Black Water Capacity 30 gals
Tire Size 16"

So it appears to us that the cargo weight is pretty small. We are doing our best not to exceed the combined total of the "dry weight" and "cargo weight." And of course we will transport it with tanks empty and with not many personal effects.

My main question three questions are:
(1) What are the specific risks if we exceed this total?
(2) What is the proper/easiest way to weigh the trailer?
(3) What is the best way to confirm that the tow vehicle will be adequate? It will not be our vehicle--we are hiring someone.

Thank you for all of your insight!

[Cousin Ed]

You will get better answers in the 5th-wheel section. This section is for towing a car behind a motor home.

[cruzbill]

The biggest and most immediate risk is overloading your tires. If you can, take your 5ver to a CAT scale (truck scale) and weigh each axle. Once you know the weight, you can compare that to the max weight listed on the tire sidewall. You were going to buy new tires before Mex, right? Overloaded tires heat up and blow apart, don't want that happening.