optimal 5er carrying capacity

laknox wrote:

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

Good info Lyle.
Boondocking and dry camping: yes, maybe 25% of the time.
Washer/Dryer: yes
Generator: yes, a couple Honda 2000s

Folks posting their FWs actual weight figures so I can see GVWR, unloaded and loaded figures is extremely helpful.

Based on posts here and elsewhere and your comments Lyle, I put a few figures together:

2 Honda 2000s (100 lbs)
gas & container(35)
LP (2)30lb tanks: (60)
washer/dryer combo (170)
12 gals in water heater (96)
2 deep cycle batteries (120)
On water, I'm not sure, but assume worst case is leaving a dry camp/ boondock: gray and black at 90% full and fresh water tank at 90% empty assuming I had transferred water from the truck into the trailer.
Net water (leaving dry camp) (910)

Total (rounded): 1,500 This is an eye opener!

Wife and I are backpackers and bikers, so we understand weights and have higher end gear; aluminum, carbon, etc. As full timers, it seems reasonable to assume we could loan no more than 1,200 to 1,400 lbs of our own "stuff". Our 1 ton truck should be able to take some heavy items, since it will have excess payload capacity.

I can sure see why, for example, a 2014 Big Horn 3010 RE with only 2,035 carrying capacity (per web site) and 6,000lb axels won't work.

I'm struggling with FW length due to liking state and national parks, does anyone have a ball park on what it would cost to upgrade a 5 year old 35' long Big Horn FW from 6,000 to 7,000 lb axles, including going up from 16" to 17.5" wheels?