Can a Trailer Axle be Overloaded Overnight When Camping with a Rooftop Tent

Question:

Could you help me understand the axle weight rating of a trailer? We are thinking about getting a small trailer with a 2000 lbs axle rating onto which wed like to mount our roof top tent. When towing the trailer well definitely be under the axle weight rating, but when sleeping therell be 4 people on there. Especially as the kids get older and grow up this may put us over the axle weight rating. Is that an issue as its only while sleeping? I guess part of the weight of the tent and people in the tent will actually be transferred to the tent ladder, so not everything will sit on the axle, but I was just wondering whether I need to be concerned about it at all or not.

asked by: Berit T

Expert Reply:

The most important thing to note about trailer weights is that you are always limited by your least rated component (weakest link type of thing). So if your axle is rated for 2,000 lbs but the trailer itself is only rated for 1,800 lbs then you would be limited to the 1.8K rating. The GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) of a trailer can be a little higher than the axle rating though because the tow vehicle or trailer jack will be helping to support some of the tongue weight. Your safest route to go is find the GVWR of your trailer and be sure that you do not overload it.

If you think you may be going over the GVWR of the trailer but you still want to try it then you would need to contact the manufacturer to see what their concerns about overloading the trailer during the night while you are camping.

I hope this helped you understand it a bit better. If you have additional questions please don't hesistate to reach out. I have attached some helpful articles that address some weight rating issues (mainly tongue weight) for towing that you can reference as well.

expert reply by: Jon G