optimal 5er carrying capacity

outwestbound wrote:
Hi. I'm considering a number of 35-40 foot 5ers for full timing. I just read a comparison guide by Randall Eaton that I bought from JR Consumer Resources. In this, the author reports that payloads (GVWR minus "dry weight")for most travel trailers and 5ers run about 18% to 25% and that the optimal range is 25% to 35%. If payload is below 18% of the GVWR, the author suggests this could be problematic as it may lead to overload.

For example, Heartland's 2014 Big Country 5er BC 3070 RE's GVWR is 14,000 and dry weight 11,298, yielding a carry capacity of 2,702 or 19.30%; just making the cut according to the author.

I'm a newbie and clueless what all my "stuff" will weigh, but my wife and I will be full timers and this ratio concerns me. I would like very much to believe that I could NOT approach the GVWR, thereby allowing a good cushion.

Could folks chime in one what "stuff" weighs. I define stuff as everything (e.g., batts, LP, fluids, all personal and household)loaded onto the 5er.

Is maxing out carrying capacity wise?
Do you agree with this author's ratios?

I really appreciate it as I don't want to buy an in adequate 5er and then be unsatisfied when we load it up.

PS: TV is not an issue. I'm getting a 1 tone DWR.

First off, how much boondocking are you planning on doing? If little to none, then there's no reason for you to travel with more than minimal fluids in your tanks, so there's hundreds of lbs you don't need to worry about. If you =do= want to boondock or dry camp, then, YES, you will need to take this into account. Full propane tanks? It's only 60 lbs, net; not a major concern, IMO. Do you want you want a washer/dryer? Then that's not a light piece of equipment, as well as the water storage for it (fresh and grey), which takes away from other payload. Generator? Most are mounted right in the front, and also take a good portion of your payload. If you never plan to dry camp, then you don't need a generator, saving 300-400 lbs on a built-in and, if you plan on doing laundry at the CG facilities, then you don't need a washer/dryer. Leaves more room for "stuff", if you need it.

CCC is almost a made-up number, much as "dry wt" is, IMO. My '04 Komfort has a 4,000 lb CCC, but I have no idea where they get that number. The only way I can figure it is that the published "dry" weight didn't include most of the interior. Even if all my 3 45 gallon tanks were full, that's only just over 1,000 lbs and I =know= I can't carry 3,000 lbs of "stuff".

Lyle