GVW ratings question on gooseneck trailers

[Ken45101]

I have a 14,000# goose neck trailer. I assume that means that I can haul a total of 14,000#, trailer and cargo combined. But a portion of that 14,000# will be on the truck axle, meaning that only 11,000 or 12,000# will actually be on the trailer if it is weighed, which is well below the 7000#/axle that the axles are rated.

Is my understanding correct?

Thanks,

Ken

 

[kevinj]

I have a 14,000# goose neck trailer. I assume that means that I can haul a total of 14,000#, trailer and cargo combined. But a portion of that 14,000# will be on the truck axle, meaning that only 11,000 or 12,000# will actually be on the trailer if it is weighed, which is well below the 7000#/axle that the axles are rated.

Is my understanding correct?

Thanks,

Ken

You cannot haul anywhere near 14k. First you have to see what the truck can handle, then deduct the weight of trailer, chains, dunnage etc. 14k is absolute gross weight for the trailer.

 

[Ken45101]

You cannot haul anywhere near 14k. First you have to see what the truck can handle, then deduct the weight of trailer, chains, dunnage etc. 14k is absolute gross weight for the trailer.

Actually I said "trailer and cargo combined". So why can't I haul "anywhere near 14k"?

The truck is no issue, it's a C3500 dually diesel rated for 24 or 26,000 GCVW.

Ken

 

[JB4310]

We've been talking trailers, GVW, CGVW alot lately, the way I understand it your are right if your getting at "can't I have 14,000 on the axles"
With a goose neck you probably have 20% on the truck at least, so as long as you don't exceed the trucks GVW, the trailers axles/tires rating or the GCVW your OK.

Example: trailer weighs 4000# you put 12,000# on it, that equals 16,000# but you have 2000# on the truck via the hitch, so you only have 14,000# on the axles, if you weighed the axles alone it would read 14,000# thus not exceeding any of the critical rating of the trailer. Double check your axle specs and call the trailer manufacturer and get their take on it, but that's what I've gathered.

In fact I just bought an equipment trailer and right on the tag it says 9000#GVW but it also says only two 4000# axles so they are already figuring in 1000# on the tongue. So I have to watch the axle weight not the listed GVW. I don't like that way of specing but that's how mine is.

Good Luck, JB.

 

[kevinj]

Actually I said "trailer and cargo combined". So why can't I haul "anywhere near 14k"?

The truck is no issue, it's a C3500 dually diesel rated for 24 or 26,000 GCVW.

Ken

Sorry, I misread a part of your original post. I think JB has good advice to check with the trailer company. Regardless of how you cut it the 14K total is on the trailer, just not all on the axles, but split between the axles and the hitch. So I would take the 14K as marked on the trailer. The lawmen will go by the ratings also. You do have enough truck though.

 

[Diamondpilot]

We've been talking trailers, GVW, CGVW alot lately, the way I understand it your are right if your getting at "can't I have 14,000 on the axles"
With a goose neck you probably have 20% on the truck at least, so as long as you don't exceed the trucks GVW, the trailers axles/tires rating or the GCVW your OK.

Example: trailer weighs 4000# you put 12,000# on it, that equals 16,000# but you have 2000# on the truck via the hitch, so you only have 14,000# on the axles, if you weighed the axles alone it would read 14,000# thus not exceeding any of the critical rating of the trailer. Double check your axle specs and call the trailer manufacturer and get their take on it, but that's what I've gathered.

In fact I just bought an equipment trailer and right on the tag it says 9000#GVW but it also says only two 4000# axles so they are already figuring in 1000# on the tongue. So I have to watch the axle weight not the listed GVW. I don't like that way of specing but that's how mine is.

Good Luck, JB.

JB has it right. You can expect 15-20% on the pin so as long as when you drive it on a scale the weight on the trailers axles does not exceed 14K and you do not exceed the GVWR of the truck all while keeping below the 24K for the GCWR you are legal.

Chris

 

[QRTRHRS]

JB has it right. You can expect 15-20% on the pin so as long as when you drive it on a scale the weight on the trailers axles does not exceed 14K and you do not exceed the GVWR of the truck all while keeping below the 24K for the GCWR you are legal.

Chris

Someone else chime in if they have ever had their GVW and GVWR checked for other than an accident situation.

Regarding the combination in question, I would be concerned that the trailer tires are load rated for at least 3500 lbs each and that the truck is licensed to cover the actual GCVW. Keep in mind that in a perfect world, each axle is evenly loaded.

 

[Ken45101]

Regarding the combination in question, I would be concerned that the trailer tires are load rated for at least 3500 lbs each and that the truck is licensed to cover the actual GCVW. Keep in mind that in a perfect world, each axle is evenly loaded.

I did check the tires and they are rated for a little over 3600 each.

This is non commercial use in Ohio, so I don't have to worry about the truck license.

I don't plan on carrying over 9400# (trailer is supposed to be 4300#), but it's nice to know that I have a safety factor and I'm not right up at the limit.

Ken

 

[QRTRHRS]

I did check the tires and they are rated for a little over 3600 each.

This is non commercial use in Ohio, so I don't have to worry about the truck license.

I don't plan on carrying over 9400# (trailer is supposed to be 4300#), but it's nice to know that I have a safety factor and I'm not right up at the limit.

Ken

Might be a good idea to find a quiet scale somewhere for some empty weight checks. See if you can drop your trailer on the scale to see what it really weighs in at. Or, weigh your truck empty sometime then swing by with the trailer and do a combination followed by pulling ahead and doing the trailer axles only.

On some scales, you can place your rig to get the seperate weights without moving.