Math for determining CCC

Towing 4 down does have an affect on your GVWR, but it's minimal. Hitching equipment, accessories and a tow bar all weigh something.

msmith1199 wrote:
GCWR is the Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating. That is the max gross of the motorhome and the toad. GVWR is the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. That's the max weight of the motorhome alone. Neither of these numbers gives you the cargo weight capacity as you have to know how much the motorhome actually weighs first. These are max numbers, not the actual weight of the motorhome.

subtract UVW unloaded vehicle weight from GVWR, simple math

Here's the easy way. Weigh the coach and subtract that weight from the GVWR. Don't forget to add the tongue weight of a toad if you'll have one...won't be much anyway. The answer is what you can carry.

I'm pretty sure all new RVs/TT/5er's must have a sticker with actual weight of that unit as it left the factory. Unfortunately my schedule didn't work out to drive up to Hershey but when I was at a show in RI last year, everything we looked at had a sticker with actual curb weight. Once you have that, just subtract it from GVWR and that is what you have for cargo.

We were looking at Class C's and I will tell you it is disappointing that some of them are only around 1,000 lbs on cargo capacity, especially as they approach 30'. Make sure it's a Ford E-450 chassis or Chevy equivalent. Pretty sure 2015 and newer E-450's have 7500 lb tow rating instead of 5,000.

OutdoorPhotographer wrote:
Make sure it's a Ford E-450 chassis or Chevy equivalent. Pretty sure 2015 and newer E-450's have 7500 lb tow rating instead of 5,000.

I don't think they are putting class A's on the E-450 chassis and I don't think Chevy is in the Class A chassis at all.

I think the whole logic start in wrong point.
Unless you plan to tow ClassC, or Suburban, you can ignore GCWR.
That number usually come from hitch rating, what is easy to upgrade.
You critical numbers will be GVWR minus actual weight, what gives you cargo carrying capacity.
There is good reason why RV manufacturer hide those numbers from buyers.
Lot of RV have cargo capacity in hundreds of pounds >> not much for heavy family, full refrigerator, winter cloths and 60-100 gallons of fresh water.
Bottom line, when you shop for RV, step on the salesman to present those numbers, or drive with you to the scales.
Also might be good idea to check the tire ratings as lot of RV tires come overloaded from factory.

msmith1199 wrote:
I don't see on Winnebago's webpage where they list an empty weight of the RV. I don't recall seeing that number on any motorhome as they are probably variable. There is a lot of wood in a motorhome so identical motorhomes could have different weights. I have never weighed mine, but it's probably a good idea to do so. And just because the GVWR is 27,910, doesn't mean the axles are going to fall off if you load a thousand pounds or so over that.

Some manufactures list approximate unloaded weights in their spec sheets (Winne does not)to give you some idea on what you can carry. However they are required to have the finished weight as manufactured posted on the motor home.

To the OP - the CCC is normally printed and stuck to the door post. If not it is posted in a closet or near the driver's position.

If you really want to calculate it yourself, try this calculation from "How stuff Works":

"So how would you ever be able to determine if you were overloading an RV? After all, recreational vehicles carry things like furniture, appliances, televisions and people -- often lots of people. How much is too much? The short answer is that you would need to know the RV's cargo carrying capacity, or CCC. The long answer involves a little bit of simple math and a few definitions. Here's how to calculate an RV's cargo carrying capacity:

Start with the vehicle's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR)
20,000 pounds (GVWR)
Subtract the vehicle's unloaded vehicle weight (UVW)
The UVW is a manufacturer provided weight measurement of the vehicle that includes a full tank (or tanks) of fuel, coolant and oil
14,500 pounds (UVW)
Subtract the weight of the sleeping capacity weight rating (SCWR)
The SCWR is another manufacturer provided weight measurement (a maximum weight) determined by multiplying 154 pounds times the number of sleeping positions
924 pounds (SCWR) (6 sleeping positions x 154 pounds)
Subtract the weight of the propane fuel (LP gas)
Propane weighs 4.2 pounds per gallon
50.4 pounds (LP gas) (12 gallons x 4.2 pounds)
Subtract the weight of the fresh water on board
Water weighs 8.3 pounds per gallon
207.5 pounds (fresh water) (25 gallons x 8.3 pounds)
The result is the cargo carrying capacity (CCC) of the vehicle
4,318.1 pounds (CCC) (cargo carrying capacity)"

Easier to look for the label.