Knowing your RV’s weight limitations is just as important as it is to know its height and weight limitations.

How much weight can your RV carry?
Every RV comes with a factory-recommended weight. In today’s times, gross vehicle weight ratings (GVW) are calculated so close to its empty weight, that loading up few clothes and some books are enough to set it weigh over the recommended weight. Ouch.
While, we all are so accustomed to hoarding on items, it become potentially impossible for us to downsize to just bare essentials. However, it is important for all RV owners to understand that is vital for them to not be over the recommended weight, as loading weight towards the rear can drastically after your vehicles handling characteristics.

Determine your RV’s empty weight
We would never advise you to pull up into a DOT weigh station for two main reasons:

• This service is usually for commercial vehicles, and your RV is definitely not a commercial vehicle.
  In the event that it turns out that you’ve maxed out the capacity of your RV and are in fact overweight, chances are that you would straight away receive a ticket and would be forced to park it there, until and unless you get your recreational vehicle’s weight to comply with the legal limits.
• Instead, empty up your RV, fill up its propane tank, as well as all the water tanks. Next, drive down to a neared truck scale and have your vehicle weighed. This number, shall be the true empty weight for your vehicle.

Calculate the amount that you can safely add
Now that you have a clear understanding of your RV’s true empty weight, you can now calculate the total amount that you can safely add by calculating the difference between the empty weight and the GVW indicated by the manufacturer.

Identify things that affect your RV’s weight
Did you know that water weighs over eight pounds per gallon? Imagine this and mentally calculate the total sum of thirty-five gallons that are present in three tanks present in even the smallest of the RV’s.
Moreover, cookware, and other kitchen related items, along with sheets, pillows, and blankets all drastically add to the overall weight.
TV, and other electronics that are provided by the manufacturing, also add to the weight. You did be surprise to see how easily you’ve reached the GVW rating.
Let’s not forget outdoors items such as a portable grill, umbrellas, small swimming pools, lawn chairs and a bag of charcoal all drive you over the maximum weight.

Always avoiding overloading
A survey conducted by Recreation Vehicle Safety Education Foundation (RVSEF) found that upto a quarter of RVs were overweight by around nine hundred pounds, with twenty-eight percent being out of balance from one end of the axle to the other by four hundred pounds or even more.

It is upmost important that you keep track of the overall weight of your RV. An overloaded RV can be a threat not only for you, but also for others that are on the road. Moreover, staying within the maximum limits help you maintain the performance of your vehicle and prevent unnecessary wear and tear.