Cargo Capacity

Tony B wrote:
BTW, how does one go about getting weighed?

Most truck stops have scales. Usually you're looking for a "CAT Scale" sign.

Here's how you go about doing it:
http://learntorv.com/how-to-weigh-a-fifth-wheel-camper-at-cat-scales/

Our 5th wheel has a CCC of 3435# with a GVWR 14,375# and when we FTd we had a scale weight of 13,873#

CAVEAT:
I could open ANY compartment, drawer, cabinet and SEE everything in it. Didn't have to dig thru stuff to find anything.
Less is More

Our motto was---1 bag IN/2 bags OUT

And yet we used up all but 500# of CCC (we did carry FULL fresh water tank at all times)

Read through RV-Dreams.com they are fulltimers plus used to weigh RVs as a side business. There are posts on how they and others have handle weight vs cargo capacity.

Tony B wrote:
WE just put money down on a Denali 293RKS.

It has a cargo capacity of 2100 lbs. That sounds like a lot and also sounds like not all that much.

We will be living aboard permanently. We try not to have too much 'stuff'.

If I carry an inflatable boat/motor/gas I will have a combined weight of 300 lbs.
Add to that probably at least 500 lbs of tankage while traveling.

Pots, pans and kitchen appliances about 150 lbs.

Washer/Dryer Combo 150 lbs.

Misc Tools 100 lbs

Thats 1200 lbs already.

WE have lived full time aboard boats for over 20 years and always rented a mini-storage. But that was mainly because of space, not weight.

Does anyone here live aboard full time have any idea including clothing and books how much more weight I will have to add?

BTW, we are not junk collectors or hoarders.

Main comment is, how often will you travel with full tanks? Personally, I travel with empty grey and black tanks and minimal fresh water. Doesn't mean that I =haven't= ever traveled with near-full holding tanks, but that's only been 2 occasions, where my dump stations were closed and I had to go a long distance to find another. I only travel with full fresh water when I stop about 30 miles from our annual boondock site and fill up; the other 100 miles are near-empty. In extremis, I have zero problem dumping all my fresh and all my grey to lighten my load.

Since you'll be full-timing, you'll likely be near to stores for shopping, so you won't need to keep lots on board, which cuts your load a bit.

Switch to e-books and you'll save =lots= of weight. If you like to save magazines for specific articles, take a camera and shoot all the pages of the article and copy to your computer then dump the mags or, better yet, give them to a neighbor to enjoy.

If you have the room and payload capacity, carry the boat and tools in the truck bed while you travel and keep it out of the FW. Move it to the FW storage when you set up and not moving.

Lyle

Our Montana has over 4,000 lbs capacity and the DW lit up when she saw that. Not really an issue since we tow with a dually but I told her just because it can does not mean we have to. Needless to say she has everything she wants in there now. My point is some people can show control on stuff like that and watch the weight and some don't care.

Not enough!
My 36 footer was listed at 9800 dry and a 13,750GVWR. Guess what? Were at 13,500 on many trips, and we dont full time. Stuff, especially for full timers tends to add up really really fast. Keep looking would be my suggestion.

I'm 3,780 dry and 5,200-5,300 wet and loaded. About 1,500 pounds of water and stuff. Winnie's GVWR is 7,000 which allows me a great cushion. Your cushion will be less, you need to weight your TT wet and monitor every thing you add. Are your wheels and tires ok?

Tony B wrote:
Thanks everyone

So far, still lookin' good.

I allowed myself 500 lbs in tankage in my original estimate. I can always drop that to around 200 lbs or less if I need to.
BTW, how does one go about getting weighed?

Load up your trailer with everything you ideally would want to load up, then drive your trailer to a local truck stop to get weighed.

Thanks everyone

So far, still lookin' good.

I allowed myself 500 lbs in tankage in my original estimate. I can always drop that to around 200 lbs or less if I need to.
BTW, how does one go about getting weighed?

Consider the brochure weights are notoriously inaccurate and often are based on a basic unit with no options.
2nd A/C , dual panes windows upgraded fridge all deduct from the brochure payload.
See if you can find a similar equipped model and check the vin# specific weight stick on the unit and compare it to the brochure weight. You maybe in for a big surprise