Weighing Your RV
Your RV must be weighed when it is fully loaded. This includes passengers, food, clothing, water, fuel,
supplies, any towed vehicles behind a motorhome, and the tow vehicle for an RV trailer. It is important to
weigh your RV at a location that can provide axle-end specific weights. You should not expect to measure equal
loads at both ends of the same axle, because floor plans and component locations vary significantly, however,
you should distribute the load to obtain the best balance possible.
Use the following guidelines to ensure proper tire inflation pressure for motorhomes and RV trailer tow vehicles:
- Determine the heaviest end of each axle and use that load to select the inflation pressure for all tires on that axle.
- Refer to the appropriate Goodyear load and inflation table and select the inflation pressure for the load that is nearest
to, but not less than, the load you measured, by moving up the table to the pressure line. Note that load and inflation tables
include separate information for single and dual applications. For single applications, you can use the measured information
directly, while for dual applications, you will need to divide the wheel position load you measured by two, then enter the table.
Some places where you can weigh your RV:
- RVSEF Weight & Tire Safety Program a service offered at many RV rallies and shows
- CAT Scales
- Weber Son & Service Repair Inc.
- Truck stops
- Farm co-ops or feed mills
- Some sand and gravel yards
Special Considerations
Unless trying to resolve poor ride quality problems with an RV trailer, it is recommended that trailer tires be inflated to the
pressure indicated on the sidewall of the tire. Trailer tires experience significant lateral (side-to-side) loads due to vehicle sway
from uneven roads or passing vehicles. Using the inflation pressure engraved on the sidewall will provide optimum load carrying capacity
and minimize heat build-up.
Load Carrying Capacity
Single Versus Dual Tire Capacity Difference
A tire mounted as a single can carry a greater maximum load than the same tire mounted as a dual. This is because tires in a dual
set will carry unequal loads due to differences in the crown of the road. Tire to tire inflation pressure and tire diameter differences
also factor into the difference in load capacity.