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JkSchnoo's avatar
JkSchnoo
Explorer
Apr 11, 2025

How much cargo capacity do I need for TT?

I am looking at a Grand design imagine 2800bh. The sticker showed a UVW of 6900 lbs and a GVWR of 8500.  Is 1500/1600 pounds of cargo carrying capacity decent for a 32’ TT? We are a family of 3 with a little one and a couple dogs. 

I imagine there is a wide spectrum depending on how much stuff you bring, I just have no idea what a typical TT cargo capacity is.

Thanks!

11 Replies

  • I confirmed with GD that the 2025 2800bh has the 4400 lb rated axles. It looks like the 2025s are coming out of the factory around 7k UVW (saw a 2025 on YouTube that was 7100 lbs form the factory, even though the rep I talked to said the average weight was 6300?)  So I guess with the addition of the hitch and propane, probably be around 7300lbs, and with 20 gallons of fresh water be around 7500 like Grit mentioned. Leaving about 1k for cargo. Even if I go full fresh water tank that puts me at 7650 ish, with 850 lbs cargo. If I need more gear I throw a couple hundred pounds in the truck bed? I really don’t want to talk myself out of this camper!

  • Quite the range of replies. None of which are more than anecdotal. Not bad, just anecdotal. 
    Before my anecdotal response, and the fact that 1500lbs ccc in a big ole kid sleepin luxury TT is totally lame. That trailer is sitting at 7500 easy just full LP, water spare tire , etc, before you load a single pop can, bottle of sunscreen or the dogs stuff. 
    However the only thing you need to know is if it has 3500 or 5200lb axles. Should have 5k axles as GDs are nice trailers and 3.5ks would be tapped out. 
    if 3.5, get your deposit back.  
    With 5k axles, not an issue. Load er with reckless abandon and go camping!

    it’ll be fine. 

      • Grit_dog's avatar
        Grit_dog
        Navigator

        The Lippert 4400lb specials….

        Ok well then your real gvw is around say 9500lbs.  Depending how you load it.  Most printed gvws try to take into account a certain amount of ignorance and owner stupidity.  
        If you’re worried, one trip to the scales after you’re loaded for bear will tell you how much is on the axles and how much is on the truck hitch/axle.

        Nothing concerning about packing a sufficient amount of stuff for sure.

         

  • Based on CAT scale, we usually run about 2000lb of cargo. 

    Certainly it's possible to keep it to 1500lb but keep in mind, a lot of folks have no idea what their rig weighs, so they are likely running over their GVWR.

    • StirCrazy's avatar
      StirCrazy
      Moderator

      wow, I can't imagine 2000lbs of "stuff" haha  I don't even come close to the GVWR of the 5th when we are loaded for a long trip.  

      • valhalla360's avatar
        valhalla360
        Navigator

        Full 50gal water tank - 400lb (I don't always run full but sometimes you won't have water if boondooking)

        2 propane tanks - 60lb

        Full fridge and pantry - 300lb.

        2 batteries - 140lb

        That's around 900lbs of stuff most people don't think about when figuring payload.

        Add clothes, grill, bike rack, generator, blocks, tools, etc... it's not hard to add another 1000lb, especially if taking a family of 4.

  • That's a lot of capacity, you won't have a problem. Well maybe if you want to bring your kids 100 gallon fish tank along you might push the limits. I think my trailer has about the same capacity, When my kids were young we would pack really full with unnecessary stuff. Like for a a weekend we would go to Costco and buy flats of soda and juices. And being lazy I would just pile 3 or 4 flats of sodas on the floor by the couch. At least two barbecues and whatever the kids wanted to bring. I never bothered to check the weights and now after 20 years the trailer is still going strong.  Just load it with what you think you want and go camping.

  • Thanks for the replies. I started to panic after I put my deposit down, thinking that I wouldn’t have enough room for basic gear.  But I guess the 2800bh is a very popular trailer, so people must be doing fine with the cargo capacity.

    Worst case I guess I can put heavier stuff in the bed if my truck under a tonneau cover. My ram 2500 has a payload just over 3k, so should have some room there too 

  • when I used to have my 28 foot rv we would take about 500lbs of stuff.  with my 5th wheel it is around 800lbs and my truck camper is about 300lbs so it all depends on how you camp, what you take for chairs , tools, games, food, dishes and clothing when you go camping.  how many creature comforts do you like.  for me the 5th wheel is more as I take a Webber q and a pellet smoker when I am out with that.  so that's about 100lbs right there, plus its 40 feet and we have up to 8 people with the grandkids going out so we need to take more haha.

     the camper I take a light weight Colman stove and a small griddle and a couple chairs.  the rest is food and clothing 

  • 1500 lbs is plenty, many have a lot less then that and somehow the people seem to still be able to go camping. Mine goes down the road with about 1100 lbs and I don’t lack for nothing.

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