FWC Camper Weight

[Shadyapex]

This has been a frustration for me as well. I have a 2014 Taco with a 2010 Eagle on it that's supposed to weigh 690 lbs. The truck is supposed to handle 1500 lbs to be at GVWR. Once I add recovery gear (CO2 tank, safe jack kit, jumper battery, modest tool kit), water, wine and the usual odds and ends I'm at 5870 lbs. GVWR is 5500 lbs. Can't remember if I got out of the truck for the weigh. I've added air bags and better shocks and the rig handles "OK." But definitely feels the weight and braking distance is significantly increased. I think a lot of rigs on the roads are over weight and I'm going with a bigger truck next time for sure.
Note: I originally had the Eagle on a '97 Taco and was immediately inspired to start thinking of a bigger truck, thought the 2014 would be enough, and it almost is.

 

[Wallowa]

I know this is an old topic...but what exactly are the negative outcomes of exceeding the GVW of the vehicle...notwithstanding any speculations on legality or insurance issues.

I know our '05 Tundra [discs front/drums rear] with the '16 Hawk and all gear has an increased stopping distance...not dramatic but noticeable. With the air bags and rear anti-sway the handling if very good on or off road...of course MPG suffers with extra weight.

Just have never seen a vehicle failure due to being over the GVW....what am I missing?

Thanks...

[Concur that at or above GVW E-rated tires make sense; especially off road; we currently are using C-rated Toyo ATII @ 50 psi, which covers the weight per wheel/axle and gives increased sidewall protection...but next set will be E-rated, specifically to add more sidewall protection off road]

 

[ottorogers]

Interesting, pretty much everyone with a full size 1/2 ton down to a small/midsize truck is over gvw.
I'm curious if, we were to be in an accident, whether we caused or not the insurance company could wiggle out of a claim.?

I think this is a VERY important question, all of us are overweight, are we still insured??

 

[ottorogers]

This has been a frustration for me as well. I have a 2014 Taco with a 2010 Eagle on it that's supposed to weigh 690 lbs. The truck is supposed to handle 1500 lbs to be at GVWR. Once I add recovery gear (CO2 tank, safe jack kit, jumper battery, modest tool kit), water, wine and the usual odds and ends I'm at 5870 lbs. GVWR is 5500 lbs. Can't remember if I got out of the truck for the weigh. I've added air bags and better shocks and the rig handles "OK." But definitely feels the weight and braking distance is significantly increased. I think a lot of rigs on the roads are over weight and I'm going with a bigger truck next time for sure.
Note: I originally had the Eagle on a '97 Taco and was immediately inspired to start thinking of a bigger truck, thought the 2014 would be enough, and it almost is.

that is why I bought a Tundra, but I am still overweight with my 2014 Hawk fully loaded

 

[ETAV8R]

I recently weighed my rig with camper and gear on the way to a trip and game in around 6400lbs for a Tacoma.

 

[cwdtmmrs]

I just don't understand the heavy weighs. Attached is a copy of the weight slip for my 1986 Toyota turbo pickup with a loaded FWC Ranger II. This is NOT a shell. It has 3-way fridge, battery, stove, heater, full water tank, full propane tank, tank-less water heater, BBQ, 350W Honda lunch box generator, some recovery, gear, and 2 weeks worth of gear for a 2 week elk bow hunt. The total camper weight was 980 lbs. wet, and the total weight of truck and camper (less me,180 lbs.) was 4680 lbs. That is 400 lbs less than the stated 5080 lbs GVW. I love my little old Toyota and wouldn't trade it for a new Tacoma.

cwd

 

[CougarCouple]

Hay cwdtmmrs
That’s the front axle on top and the rear at the bottom. You got to add them together. .....................




Just kidding

 

[takesiteasy]

I just don't understand the heavy weighs. Attached is a copy of the weight slip for my 1986 Toyota turbo pickup with a loaded FWC Ranger II. This is NOT a shell. It has 3-way fridge, battery, stove, heater, full water tank, full propane tank, tank-less water heater, BBQ, 350W Honda lunch box generator, some recovery, gear, and 2 weeks worth of gear for a 2 week elk bow hunt. The total camper weight was 980 lbs. wet, and the total weight of truck and camper (less me,180 lbs.) was 4680 lbs. That is 400 lbs less than the stated 5080 lbs GVW. I love my little old Toyota and wouldn't trade it for a new Tacoma.

cwd

Check out this page: https://truckyeah.jalopnik.com/the-1986-toyota-truck-and-2016-toyota-tacoma-compared-s-1710386683

The GVWR for your Tacoma is approx. 3900 lbs, so you are similarly overweight. The 86 Taco's curb weight is 2800 lbs vs 4000 for the 2016. The newer trucks have gotten a lot heavier with the same payload, so they weigh proportionally more loaded.

 

[cwdtmmrs]

Well.....I did have the tires filled with helium!

cwd

 

[cwdtmmrs]

takeiteasy, Just going by the tag on the door that says GVWR 5080, front axle 2425 and the rear axle is 3000.

cwd

 

[cwdtmmrs]

Here is picture from the original owners manual. Truck Yeah doesn't have the facts correct.

cwd

 

[klahanie]

this shows payload of 1400 lbs, so math adds up.

Our old Granby is plated as 971 lbs wet, with std equip. Best as I remember this is pretty accurate. So I'll say to be 980 for an albeit smaller but optioned out and loaded camper is simply remarkable. Well done cwd !

 

[cwdtmmrs]

Klahanie, thank you. Plus, no air bags, special suspension mods or brackets to tie the camper down.

My point is why are the newer campers so much heavier? Even the Eagle shell with maybe a heater/fridge was about the same as my older Ranger II.

cwd

PS. My house battery is mounted in the truck bed and not included in the camper weight, only the total GVW

 

[takesiteasy]

takeiteasy, Just going by the tag on the door that says GVWR 5080, front axle 2425 and the rear axle is 3000.

cwd

Well, that should be accurate... I guess I can't believe everything I read on the internets, haha. I'm just jealous 'cause my newer truck carries less weight. I have a shell camper and am still overweight sometimes.

 

[shellback]

"Just going by the tag on the door that says GVWR 5080, front axle 2425 and the rear axle is 3000." As you can see, the manufacturer doesn't just add the front and rear axle capacities together to come up with the GVW. My 06 Dodge 1/2 ton had front and rear axles at 3900#'s each, but the GVW was 6600#'s. My present 2016 Chevy 1/2 ton has front and rear axles at 3950#'s each, but the GVW is 7200#'s. I really don't know where they come up with the GVW number. I think it would be safe to say on a truck in good condition that you could probably exceed the GVW by 10%. The engineers must put a good safety factor in before a failure would occur. Of course the legal implications of being overweight is a whole other story. On my Chevy, the difference in the light weight with me in the truck and the truck's GVW is 1320#'s But my glove box sticker shows a recommended camper weight of 1000#'s. I'm guessing that they have to take into effect the tip over probabilities with a hardside camper. Our FWC have a lower CG.

 

[JaSAn]

Interesting, pretty much everyone with a full size 1/2 ton down to a small/midsize truck is over gvw.
I'm curious if, we were to be in an accident, whether we caused or not the insurance company could wiggle out of a claim.?

I think this is a VERY important question, all of us are overweight, are we still insured??

A quick search didn't show up any examples of lawsuits (they would probably be behind a paywall), I did find two discussions on the topic:

The first is about towing but I would think that it would also apply to carrying over GVWR:
“Juries are looking for an easy solution. If you’re overweight, that’s an easy solution.”
These scary words come from Ashley de la Cerda, partner in the Dallas law firm of Walters, Balido & Crane, addressing towing lawsuits at the recent ProPickup Truck Expo in Dallas . . .
“In a court of law, towing beyond a vehicle’s maximum trailered weight, as set by the manufacturer, is driver negligence,” Smith says, stating he regularly sees contractors, landscapers and public entities exceeding the 5,000-pound half-ton weight limit without using a proper hitch. (September 2013, Equipment World)

And a thread in Expedition Portal from 2006:
"However, a bigger problem is your insurance which is probably void if you are over the manufacturers stated max weight, my policy clearly states this and I assume this clause would apply regardless of what mods you have made to account for the extra weight."

http://forum.expeditionportal.com/threads/3342-How-much-can-we-go-above-GVWR Post #7

jim

 

[Malamute]

One aspect rarely mentioned in discussions of truck weight carrying is the axle bearings. The tires and springs arent the only factor to consider. The majority of half ton and most recent 3/4 tons (formerly called light duty 3/4 tons) have rear axle bearings that ride right on the axle shaft. This is a very poor system for weight carrying, for especially one that is left carrying weight all the time. I dont recall exactly, but Ive replaced about 8 or more axle shafts over the years in various pickups and Suburbans from bearings wearing into them and causing metal pitting and metal loss on the shaft where the bearing rides. Leaking axle bearings is usually the clue theres a problem, and replacing the axle shaft is the only way to make them right after the shaft begins to wear. The thin repair sleeve that are supposed to be a remedy are not a good answer. In one light duty 3/4 ton Ford I had, when it needed axle shafts replaced, I just bought a true 3/4 ton full floater rear end. They have tapered bearings with replaceable races, they dont wear the axle shafts. All older 3/4 tons had such axles, now only the heaviest type, or 1 tons have that type axles. If you want true, heavy weight capacity that doesnt end up damaging your axles, its the best way. The recent 3/4 tons Ive seen, such as Suburbans and pickups, had 6 lugs, some had 8 lugs, but were still the light duty axle assembly. The true heavy duty ones have the center part of the axle in the middle of the wheel sticking out several inches, and 8 bolts attaching the axle shaft to the wheel. If I were doing a full time or heavy camper rig, Id not consider a light duty rear end for a second.

Interestingly, as far as I understand, the Japanese pickups have the tapered bearings with replaceable races.

Full floater type rear end

http://image.fourwheeler.com/f/9305322+w600+cr1/131_0603_04_z%2Baxle_tech_info%2Bfull_floating_axle.jpg

 

[BBZ]

Anyone know the weight of the older Fleets? mine is 82-83 ish.. gutted inside and rebuilt with very little inside just a shelf, bed,tables and benches, new insulation and walls.. want to try to figure out if I am over weight or not..

It feels light.. I can move on the camper dolly easily and can pick up a corner

 

[fredrahm]

2013 Fleet on a new 2017 Tacoma Access Cab 4X4. Just weighed my truck without and with camper. Results: Camper fully loaded is
1540 lbs. 2 batteries, 20 gallons of water, compressor refrigerator, 2 propane tanks, furnace, sink, stove and normal camping gear.
Gross Vehicle Weight 5960 lbs.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating 5600 lbs. From Sticker in door jamb. (360 lbs over).

Gross Axle Weight FRT 2560 lbs
Gross Axle Weight Rating FRT 2910 lbs. From Sticker in door jamb (350 lbs under).

Gross Axle Weight RR 3400 lbs.
Gross Axle Weight Rating RR 3280 lbs. From Sticker in door jamb. (120 lbs over).

I had my local Spring Service Shop add a leaf to each side of the rear. This leveled the truck when the camper is on. They said the springs should add about 600 lbs additional weight carrying capacity.

The weigh station charged me $11.00 for each weigh but they would give me a free weigh if done within 24 hours. CAT Scale at the local truck stop.

 

[moveinon]

2011 Fleet on a 2011 Tacoma access Cab 4X4.
Fleet is pretty fully equipped with awning, steps, backup lights, 3 way fridge, stove, 1 battery, 2 propane tanks, sink, furnace, stove, water heater, 160 V fixed/portable solar. Fairly lightweight camping gear except for good IPA.
I am 290 lbs over GVWR based on truck scales.
I am under Gross Axle Weight rating on front by 390 lbs.
I am over Gross Axle Weight on rear by 72 lbs.

Checked axle bearings all around this last summer and they were in great shape.

I have added Ride Right air bags, commercial air hoses and upgraded shocks and E rated KO2 tires for the added weight. I believe that the suspension and tires are the limiting issues for a Tacoma’s weight carrying capacity. I have over 50,000 miles, about 3/4 of which is off paved road, on this setup with camper without a single problem. I will be upgrading my brakes when the current ones wear out just as an improvement, but it brakes OK now.

As you can imagine there are pretty good records of car wrecks. In the 100’s of thousands of wrecks with pickups over the last 20 years there is no record of even a single truck ever been weighed or any insurance company using weight as a liability issue. The data says this is as common an issue to worry about as an airplane landing on your truck/camper would be.