Increase Gross on 2015 VRV 8524

[david]

[p]The gross weight of a trailer is derived from several factors: axle rating, tire rating and less obvious the stress on the trailer's frame. If LL offered a gross weight of 10,000 lbs for that trailer with the same frame, then changing the axles and tires would get you there easily. If they didn't then you could still change the axles, but there would be some risk that you would be overloading the frame.

And you almost certainly will be using a WDH with the VRV. The aluminum frame on LL trailers makes a WDH problematic. Some members here use a WDH with a 21 and have no problems except for the need to strengthen the coupler, which is easy.

This is a far out solution, but should solve all problems: Change to 10K axles (two pairs at 5k each) and higher load range tires. Then weld an aluminum plate doubler all the way from the coupler to the aft axle attachment point. Even a 1/8" plate welded to one side of the frame tubing should add enough strength to let the frame handle the additional load, but doing it on both sides would be better, but probably trickier due to the cross members.

A few years ago when I was considering a 21, I was planning to add a doubler to the front A frame on one side of each member to add strength for a WDH. That modification wasn't all that expensive, maybe $300. Doing it all the way back to the axle attachment point would probably triple the cost though.[/p][p]
[/p][p]LL offered to build the 21 using the frame section of the 24 which was deeper. That indicates to me that GVWR really does relate to frame strength. Whether the 24 can go to 10,000 lbs as is safely, is an open question however.

David[/p]

[keeena]

Pretty sure the 2015 only had the 8k GVWR.

The 2016+ has a GVWR of 9.8k GVWR (and taller too). I haven't seen one up close, but it does look like the two long frame members which run the length of the TT are taller than on the 2015. Not enough info to say for sure, but I'd think modifying the 2015 wouldn't be practical; frame changes probably required.