John & Angela wrote:
Higher GVWR means better axles, brakes, frame, tires etc.
This is the most important aspect of the whole argument here. A trailer rated to 7500 lbs likely has dual 3500 lbs axles. A trailer rated at 5500 lbs likely has dual 2500 lbs axles.
The brakes on the 3500 lbs axles are rated to stop more weight than the 2500 lbs axles.
The tires on the 3500 lbs axles are rated to carry more weight than the 2500 lbs axles.
If both trailers are loaded with the came amount of weight and the 5500 trailer is loaded to the max, the brakes are loaded to the max, the tires are loaded to the max and you have little wiggle room. The 7500 lbs trailer still has close to 2000 lbs of braking power that isn't being used, therefore it will stop better and longer. The 7500 lbs trailer still has at least 500 lbs per tire higher weight rating and is less likely to have additional flex and heat.
My trailer has something like 2700 lbs of cargo carrying capacity, that is AFTER 2 full 30 lbs tanks of propane, a battery, air conditioner, etc. I have never come close to that. I can carry 88 gallons of fresh water, or 734 lbs of water. My waste tanks carry something like 68 gallons of black and gray water, or 567 lbs of water. I NEVER travel over the highway with those tanks filled.
Even for an 18 day trip to Florida we don't carry nearly as much weight as some people estimate. We usually carry 7 days worth of clothes and wash them. We carry some specific groceries with us, but generally shop at our destination if staying for an extended time. Bikes and a trailer for the kids are in the bed of the truck. We usually carry a small LCD tv for longer trips, maybe 10 lbs there.
I haven't weighed the new trailer for a long trip yet, but I can assure you that I don't carry anywhere NEAR 2700 lbs of stuff. We never exceeded 700 lbs of cargo in our old trailer. We probably carry a little bit more now that we have a 3 year old and a 1 year old... but doubtful its more than 50 or 100 lbs of stuff. That still leaves over 2000 "spare" lbs of cargo capacity...
