Whether you are brand new to towing or have owned many travel trailers in your life, knowing the trailer weight at various stages of use is essential, both for purchasing a hitch and for the vehicle’s life.
So, if you are wondering, “How much does a travel trailer weigh?” you’ve come to the right place. This article will be helpful if you are trying to figure out the size of a travel trailer to purchase for towing your current or future vehicle.
Travel trailers range in weight from 1,200 to about 9,000 pounds. They come in various styles, lengths, and constructions, allowing for a wide range of weights. Smaller travel trailers have an average maximum weight of around 3,500 pounds, while larger models can reach over 10,000 pounds when fully loaded.
Keep reading for more information!
Table of Contents
How Much Does a Travel Trailer Weigh
The weight of a travel trailer can vary significantly, and no one answer fits all because there are many influencing factors.
For example, the longer the travel trailer, the heavier it will be. The type of construction, features (i.e., slide-outs), and the appliances inside also significantly affect the weight.
The following is a complete explanation of common trailers.
1. Kayak And Canoe Trailer
These models are commonly used to haul personal water vehicles, such as kayaks, paddleboards, and canoes.
Their weight ranges from 100 to 400 pounds when unloaded, and the maximum weight can range from 200 to 800 pounds when carrying a watercraft.
2. Jet Ski Trailer
On average, the empty weight of jet ski trailers is 300 pounds. Smaller models weigh around 100 pounds, while heavier ones weigh close to 500 pounds. When loaded, the weight of this trailer type can range from 800 to 3,000 pounds.
3. Motorcycle Trailer
These trailers are used to transport motorcycles, allowing you to tow them with another vehicle. Their weight ranges from 300 to 800 pounds without motorcycles loaded. However, their maximum weight can be somewhere between 1,300 and 3,500 pounds when loaded.
4. Fishing Boat Trailer
The empty weight of the fishing boat trailers ranges from 3,000 to 5,000 pounds, depending on the trailer length and the boat itself.
5. Small Open Utility Trailer
These trailers have an average weight of about 700 pounds when they are emptied. However, their weight can vary greatly, from 300 to 1,100 pounds, depending on many factors, such as width, texture, features, and more. The average cargo load for these trailers is 1,800 pounds.
6. Tow Dolly
These models typically weigh about 600 pounds if not hooked up to another vehicle. The weight of a tow dolly ranges from about 400 to 800 pounds, depending on the style and construction. Their average capacity can be up to 3,400 pounds.
7. Small Enclosed Trailer
Empty weight for these models is somewhere between 400 and 1,800 pounds with brisket. Their weight is mainly determined by the material used to make the trailer, as well as the number of axles. The weight of these hooks can be up to 7,000 pounds when fully loaded.
8. Teardrop Trailer
The weight of a teardrop trailer ranges from 500 to 3,200 pounds, depending on the features included. When fully loaded, it can be up to 4,000 pounds.
9. A-Frame Camper
The weight of this trailer is between 1,200 and 2,300 pounds when it is emptied. However, the total weight may range from 2,500 to 3,600 pounds when it is fully loaded.
10. Car Trailer
The empty weight of car trailers can range from 500 to 2,800 pounds, depending on the length, style, and construction. They can weigh up to 15,000 pounds when loaded with one or more cars.
11. Large Boat Trailer
The empty weight of this trailer ranges from 1,100 to 4,400 pounds. When it loads a large boat, its weight can increase greatly, ranging from 5,400 pounds to 34,400 pounds.
12. Pop Up Camper
The empty weight of these campers can range from 1,400 to 3,000 pounds, while their GVWR can range from 2,700 to 4,000 pounds.
13. Large Enclosed Trailer
Large enclosed trailers typically weigh from 900 up to 5,200 pounds, depending on the number of axles, frame construction, and other factors. When loaded, they can weigh from 3,000 pounds up to 10,000 pounds.
14. Small Travel Trailer
Small travel trailers are typically about 22 feet or less in length, with an unladen weight range from 1,200 to 3,900 pounds. Meanwhile, their GVWR can vary from 1,900 pounds to 4,500 pounds.
15. Small Horse Trailer
The empty weights of these trailers range from 2,300 to 3,900 pounds. When loaded, their GVWR ranges from 7,000 or 8,000 pounds. So, they can be used to transport one or two horses that weigh between 2,300 and 3,900 pounds.
16. Large Flatbed Trailer
Large flatbed trailers can weigh between 500 and 7,700 pounds when they are empty. However, when it comes to their GVWR, the lowest is around 2,900, and the maximum is about 26,000 pounds.
17. Dump Trailer
A dump trailer can weigh from 1,100 to over 10,000 pounds when it is empty. Meanwhile, the GVWR of this trailer can be 3,000 pounds or up to 30,000 pounds.
18. Large Travel Trailer
When not loaded, large travel trailers weigh from 4,500 pounds to about 9,000 pounds, depending on the types of features and number of axles they have. However, when filled with cargo, fluids, and supplies, they can weigh between 6,300 and 10,500 pounds.
19. Gooseneck Flatbed Trailer
These trailers can be somewhere between 4,700 pounds and 10,000 pounds for empty weight. They are designed to carry heavy cargo, so their GVWR can range from 16,000 pounds to 36,000 pounds.
20. Large Livestock Trailer
The weight of large livestock trailers ranges from 4,200 pounds to nearly 11,000 pounds when unloaded. Yet, when carrying animals and cargo, that range is 14,000 pounds to 24,000 pounds.
21. Toy Hauler
When unloaded, the toy haulers weigh between 3,600 and 11,400 pounds. When loaded, they can weigh from 15,000 to over 22,000 pounds.
22. 5th Wheel Camper
The 5th wheel camper weight can range from 5,000 pounds to 16,000 pounds at no load. But, when fully loaded and ready for towing, you can expect the 5th wheel weight to be somewhere between 17,000 and 20,000 pounds.
Why Is Determining the Weight of Travel Trailers Important?
Determining the weights of travel trailers is very important.
You should keep the weight of your trailer close to the minimum towing capacity to ensure its long life. This is especially crucial if you regularly tow mountain passes during strenuous drives.
The overall weight of the trailer when loaded is also essential. You don’t want to fill your trailer with heavy objects that exceed its capacity. In this case, even if the tow vehicle can handle it, it’s not the best idea if you want to prolong the life of your trailer.
Travel trailers are designed to carry and transport recreational vehicles or heavy equipment. However, they also have their limits. That’s why if you overload trailers, their frames can warp and bend.
The trailer weight also affects the level of control when you are on the road. For instance, a heavier trailer may be more challenging to handle than lighter models when you are on extensive freeways, as well as other roads.
The arrangement of the objects inside the travel trailer is also important! For example, if you put too many objects in front of the trailer, you will most likely find it harder to tow.
Understanding The Trailer’s Various Weights
If you’re new to the world of RVs, you might feel a little confused about the RV trailer weight. Bear in mind that buying a travel trailer too heavy for your vehicle can cause irreparable harm.
Fortunately, manufacturers always include weight-related specifications of any travel trailers they provide.
Here are some basic terms you need to know when weighing your trailer.
1. GVWR – Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
It shows the weight of your trailer when fully loaded, including passengers, cargo, liquids, dry weight, and other optional accessories. GVWR does not include the weight of the tow vehicle.
2. GCWR – Gross Combined Weight Rating
GCWR refers to the total weight of both your trailer and tow vehicle. This includes any passengers or cargo placed in either vehicle.
3. UVW – Dry Weight or Unloaded Vehicle Weight
UVW indicates the trailer’s weight when manufactured at the factory, excluding the weight of cargo, passengers, liquids, propane gas, etc. In other words, it is the trailer’s weight with nothing inside of it.
4. HW – Vertical Load Rating (Or Tongue Weight)
It is the downward force exerted at the coupling point of your vehicle and the trailer. That means you are checking for the maximum vertical load you can carry.
5. GAWR – Gross Axle Weight Rating
GAWR refers to the maximum allowable weight that each axle assembly is designed to carry.
6. CCC – Cargo Carrying Capacity
CCC is the greatest amount of weight your belongings and gear should total to. It is possible to weigh items separately before loading to accurately track your cargo’s weight.
What Affects the Travel Trailer Weights
The following are common factors that can affect the travel trailer weights.
1. Design
As mentioned above, trailers come in many variations, and their design directly affects the weight.
2. Size
Size is one factor that directly contributes to a trailer’s weight. For instance, a 13-foot trailer and a 20-foot trailer are both considered small trailers. However, they differ significantly in weight.
3. Materials
Manufacturers use different materials to maximize the innovation of their trailers, resulting in significant weight differences between trailers of the same size.
4. Facilities
Higher-end trailers will come with many facilities, such as wood cabinets, kitchens, bathrooms, and more. In contrast, beginner-level models will have fewer facilities, and therefore, carry less weight.
Final Thought
There is nothing better than the peace of mind that comes from knowing how much your new trailer weighs!
The travel trailer’s weight will depend on many factors, such as design, size, materials, and facilities. The list may seem endless, but we need to factor everything in.
Hopefully, we have answered your question about how much a camper weighs.
Okay, so I’m Philip Lopez. I join Riverside Trailer as an editor, where I will be doing research for both content and reviews. I contribute to studies aimed at understanding the most typical problems encountered by RVers on the road. I also keep up with the newest RVing gadget innovations so that I can promptly evaluate and recommend the best options.