If the gross weight of a trailer is 7000 LBS and it is over loaded 500 / 700 LBS or more, will the trailer break or receive damage to a lesser degree?
The trailer may weigh 7,700 LBS on a weigh scale all alone, however, when hooked up to a vehicle and weighed all over again with just the trailer alone on the scale , it may only weigh 6545, which is 15% less. The towing vehicle will always absorb 5% to 20% of the trailer weight, depending upon how the trailer is loaded. If the trailer is loaded front heavy then the towing vehicle will carry more weight and the trailer axles will carry less weight and vice versa, etc. If weight distribution bars / spring bars are engaged then more weight will be distributed to the front end of the towing vehicle. Thus the tandem axles on the trailer and the drive axle on the towing vehicle will have a decrease in weight. Manufacturers test trailers for much heavier weight than they warranty them for. Thus if a trailers gross weight is documented at 7,000 LBS, it has probably been tested with a weight of 8,000 LBS, 9,000 LBS or even 10,000 LBS prior to it being distributed to a dealer for retail sale. T
