19 Ft Visa GVW Concern
I have been looking into the Gulf Stream Visas, in particularly the 19RSD. We were looking at a unit that had a UVW of 3109 lbs and the GVW is 3900. Here me out, and try to explain to me the reasoning of this:
These units are equipped with 14" tires that each read a maximum load capacity of 1750, totaling 3500 lbs max. How can the GVW of the trailer exceed the rating of the tires?! I called Gulf Stream directly and they informed me that the remaining 400 lbs rests on the tongue.
Question 1 to the forum: Has anyone else heard of a company separating tongue weight from the weight on the axle to come up with the GVW?
Taking this one step further, lets say you load up your trailer with all the odds and ends, and reach the 3900 lbs GVW (which is not hard to do when you only have less than 800 lbs to work with). How many Visa owners use a weight distribution hitch? Since the Visa line of campers is marketed to the "mini-van/SUV" crowd, I would assume that much of them are. In fact, every dealer that I have called to inquire about a price for this camper has asked me if I already have a weight distribution hitch, thus signifying to me that it is highly recommended. Using a weight distribution hitch takes weight off the tongue and redistributes it to the trailer axle and the front of the vehicle. Right there you are exceeding the 3500 lb weight capacity of the tires on the trailer.
So Question 2 to the forum: How do you justify a 3500 lb axle on the Visas and state the Maximum Gross Vehicle Weight is 3900 lbs when you are marketing your product to a population of people that are most likely using weight distribution hitches?! I asked this question to Gulf Stream today and they said they would "get back to me."
I am not trying to bash these trailers because I think they are absolutely awesome. However, I don't think I will every consider the 19 models, only the 23. Unless they upgrade the axle to accept 15" tires with a higher rating.
Thoughts?
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