If you’re planning a camping trip or considering purchasing a trailer for any other reason, understanding trailer weights is crucial. Trailers come in various types, each designed for specific purposes, and their weight can significantly affect your towing capacity and overall camping experience.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the different types of trailers, their average weights, and important terms associated with trailer weight.
Types of Trailers
Kayak Trailer
- Average Empty Weight: 200 lbs.
- Empty Weight Range: 100 to 400 lbs.
- GVWR: 200 to 800 lbs.
- Average Load Capacity: 200 lbs.
Kayak trailers are designed for hauling canoes, kayaks, and even paddleboards. They are lightweight, with an average empty weight of 200 lbs, making them easy to tow. Depending on the model, they can have a GVWR ranging from 200 to 800 lbs.
Jet Ski Trailer
- Average Empty Weight: 300 lbs.
- Empty Weight Range: 100 to 500 lbs.
- GVWR: 800 to 3,000 lbs.
- Average Load Capacity: 1,500 lbs.
Jet ski trailers are used for transporting jet skis or personal watercraft. These trailers typically weigh around 300 lbs when empty and can have a GVWR ranging from 800 to 3,000 lbs, allowing for a load capacity of about 1,500 lbs.
Motorcycle Trailer
- Average Empty Weight: 500 lbs.
- Empty Weight Range: 300 to 800 lbs.
- GVWR: 1,300 to 3,500 lbs.
- Average Load Capacity: 1,900 lbs.
Motorcycle trailers are designed to transport motorcycles safely. They have an average empty weight of 500 lbs and can handle a GVWR ranging from 1,300 to 3,500 lbs, providing a load capacity of approximately 1,900 lbs.
Fishing Boat Trailer
- Average Empty Weight: 600 lbs.
- Empty Weight Range: 200 to 1,100 lbs.
- GVWR: 900 to 6,000 lbs.
- Average Load Capacity: 2,700 lbs.
Fishing boat trailers are used to transport fishing boats. They typically weigh around 600 lbs when empty and can have a GVWR ranging from 900 to 6,000 lbs, providing a substantial load capacity of about 2,700 lbs.
Tow Dolly
- Average Empty Weight: 600 lbs.
- Empty Weight Range: 400 to 800 lbs.
- GVWR: 3,000 to 5,000 lbs.
- Average Load Capacity: 3,400 lbs.
Tow dollies are used for dinghy towing a vehicle. They weigh approximately 600 lbs when empty and can handle a GVWR ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 lbs, allowing for a load capacity of about 3,400 lbs.
Small Open Utility Trailer
- Average Empty Weight: 700 lbs.
- Empty Weight Range: 300 to 1,100 lbs.
- GVWR: 1,000 to 3,000 lbs.
- Average Load Capacity: 1,800 lbs.
Small open utility trailers are versatile and lightweight, with an average empty weight of 700 lbs. They can have a GVWR ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 lbs, providing an average load capacity of 1,800 lbs.
Small Enclosed Utility Trailer
- Average Empty Weight: 1,000 lbs.
- Empty Weight Range: 400 to 1,800 lbs.
- GVWR: 2,000 to 7,000 lbs.
- Average Load Capacity: 2,200 lbs.
Small enclosed utility trailers offer protection for your cargo. They typically weigh around 1,000 lbs when empty and can have a GVWR ranging from 2,000 to 7,000 lbs, providing an average load capacity of 2,200 lbs.
Teardrop Trailer
- Average Empty Weight: 1,700 lbs.
- Empty Weight Range: 500 to 3,200 lbs.
- GVWR: 2,000 to 4,000 lbs.
- Average Load Capacity: 700 lbs.
Teardrop trailers are compact and lightweight, with an average empty weight of 1,700 lbs. They can have a GVWR ranging from 2,000 to 4,000 lbs, offering an average load capacity of 700 lbs.
A-Frame Camper
- Average Empty Weight: 1,700 lbs.
- Empty Weight Range: 1,200 to 2,300 lbs.
- GVWR: 2,500 to 3,600 lbs.
- Average Load Capacity: 1,200 lbs.
A-frame campers are a type of pop-up camper trailer. They weigh around 1,700 lbs when empty and can have a GVWR ranging from 2,500 to 3,600 lbs, providing an average load capacity of 1,200 lbs.
Car Trailer
- Average Empty Weight: 1,900 lbs.
- Empty Weight Range: 1,500 to 2,800 lbs.
- GVWR: 6,000 to 15,000 lbs.
- Average Load Capacity: 7,100 lbs.
Car trailers are used for transporting vehicles. They weigh approximately 1,900 lbs when empty and can have a GVWR ranging from 6,000 to 15,000 lbs, offering an average load capacity of 7,100 lbs.
Large Boat Trailer
- Average Empty Weight: 2,200 lbs.
- Empty Weight Range: 1,100 to 4,400 lbs.
- GVWR: 5,400 to 34,400 lbs.
- Average Load Capacity: 11,400 lbs.
Large boat trailers are designed for hauling yachts and heavy watercraft. They typically weigh around 2,200 lbs when empty and can have a GVWR ranging from 5,400 to 34,400 lbs, providing a substantial load capacity of 11,400 lbs.
Pop Up Camper
- Average Empty Weight: 2,300 lbs.
- Empty Weight Range: 1,400 to 3,000 lbs.
- GVWR: 2,700 to 4,000 lbs.
- Average Load Capacity: 1,100 lbs.
Pop-up campers are versatile and lightweight. They weigh around 2,300 lbs when empty and can have a GVWR ranging from 2,700 to 4,000 lbs, offering an average load capacity of 1,100 lbs.
Large Enclosed Utility Trailer
- Average Empty Weight: 2,700 lbs.
- Empty Weight Range: 900 to 5,200 lbs.
- GVWR: 3,000 to 10,000 lbs.
- Average Load Capacity: 4,400 lbs.
Large enclosed utility trailers provide ample cargo space. They typically weigh around 2,700 lbs when empty and can have a GVWR ranging from 3,000 to 10,000 lbs, providing an average load capacity of 4,400 lbs.
Travel Trailer
- Average Empty Weight: 5,800 lbs.
- Empty Weight Range: 2,000 to 9,000 lbs.
- GVWR: 6,000 to 12,000 lbs.
- Average Load Capacity: 6,200 lbs.
Travel trailers come in various sizes and weights. They weigh around 5,800 lbs when empty and can have a GVWR ranging from 6,000 to 12,000 lbs, offering an average load capacity of 6,200 lbs.
Fifth-Wheel Trailer
- Average Empty Weight: 12,000 lbs.
- Empty Weight Range: 8,000 to 16,000 lbs.
- GVWR: 14,000 to 18,000 lbs.
- Average Load Capacity: 2,000 lbs.
Fifth-wheel trailers are larger and heavier, typically used for full-time RV living. They weigh around 12,000 lbs when empty and can have a GVWR ranging from 14,000 to 18,000 lbs, providing an average load capacity of 2,000 lbs.
Important Terms
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
GVWR is the maximum weight a trailer can safely carry, including its own empty weight. It’s a crucial specification to consider when loading your trailer.
Tongue Weight
Tongue weight is the downward force exerted by the trailer on the hitch ball of the towing vehicle. It should typically be around 10-15% of the trailer’s total weight for stability.
Payload Capacity
Payload capacity is the maximum weight your trailer can carry, excluding its own empty weight. It includes all cargo, equipment, and passengers in the trailer.
Curb Weight
Curb weight is the weight of the trailer when it’s empty, without any cargo or passengers.
Dry Weight
Dry weight is similar to curb weight and refers to the weight of the trailer when it’s empty, but it may include essential factory-installed equipment.
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
GAWR is the maximum weight that an axle can safely support. Trailers have multiple axles, each with its own GAWR.
Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR)
GCWR is the maximum weight of the towing vehicle and the trailer combined. It’s important to ensure your towing vehicle’s capacity is sufficient for the trailer you plan to tow.
Hitch Weight
Hitch weight is the portion of the trailer’s weight that rests on the towing vehicle’s hitch. It’s crucial to stay within your vehicle’s hitch weight capacity.
Conclusion
Understanding trailer weights and related terms is essential for safe and enjoyable towing experiences. Before hitting the road, be sure to check your vehicle’s towing capacity, the trailer’s GVWR, and adhere to proper weight distribution and loading guidelines to ensure a safe and stress-free journey.
