I went in tonight to work on a deal for a new Jayco Hummingbird 17RK. It has the perfect layout for us as we re-enter the RVing world after becoming empty nesters. Then a bit of snooping caused me to slow down. I thought I would check with the expert opinions here to see if I am interpretting correctly. The sticker on the side says a cargo carrying capacity of 646# should never be exceeded. On the same sticker, it says a full tank of water will weigh 262#. We plan a lot of dry camping and this leaves only 384# of cargo left before exceeding limits. For a light weekend, this is reasonable, but for anly longer routes we may take (or if our college daughter decides to come with for a weekend!) it seems that there is little cargo carrying margin left.What am I missing? Why would a builder as experienced as Jayco build something so close to the edge of the cargo carrying capacity?

Because it is a single axle short (under 20') light weight trailer....but it does come with nitrogen filled tires

megsfolks wrote: Why would a builder as experienced as Jayco build something so close to the edge of the cargo carrying capacity?Because people will buy it. That's the answer. It's very light. Some people like that and will take it in exchange for much less cargo capacity. Yes, this is a deal breaker if you're not just an overnighter type RVer. Sounds like you need a bit more. Good thing you caught it

Also, I'm not so sure that dinette is all that comfortable for long term sitting.If you are not limited by length for driveway parking etc., consider a little larger floorplan at the same time, keeping the weight down. If your plan is to travel for any length of time, I would want to have dual axles . I preferred a non slide floorplan (Jayflight 23RB) using aluminum skin and no slide to save weight, with a sofa, dinette and Queen island bed for increased comfort and larger holding tanks. There are a few floorplans on the market like that in the 6,000# neighborhood with a 700-750# real tongue weight. At 27' I don't find it any more difficult to move around (back into tight spaces) than the smaller trailers I also tow.

megsfolks wrote:I went in tonight to work on a deal for a new Jayco Hummingbird 17RK. What am I missing? Why would a builder as experienced as Jayco build something so close to the edge of the cargo carrying capacity?Simple. The purpose is to offer a travel trailer with a GVWR within the capability of smaller SUVs and minivans ... so unless this is your situation why would you want to suffer with such a restriction? Keep in mind also that this trailer's real world CCC, with any options or accessories it may have, plus the weight of a battery and any water you may carry in the tanks will further reduce the rated factory CCC. When we downsized from a 24' triple bunk bed trailer to our current 19' couples trailer I considered at least 1500 lbs of available CCC to be minimal, as it turned out I have in excess of a ton, leaving me with the ability to carry whatever we may want without having to be concerned about exceeding any of the trailer's various ratings.

Good catch Mike and Lisa. Too many folks don't discover this important information until after they purchase.

Jayco Hummingbird CCC---is this a deal breaker?

bobndot
Explorer II
Jun 28, 2016
Also, I'm not so sure that dinette is all that comfortable for long term sitting.

If you are not limited by length for driveway parking etc., consider a little larger floorplan at the same time, keeping the weight down.

If your plan is to travel for any length of time, I would want to have dual axles . I preferred a non slide floorplan (Jayflight 23RB) using aluminum skin and no slide to save weight, with a sofa, dinette and Queen island bed for increased comfort and larger holding tanks. There are a few floorplans on the market like that in the 6,000# neighborhood with a 700-750# real tongue weight.
At 27' I don't find it any more difficult to move around (back into tight spaces) than the smaller trailers I also tow.
pira114
Explorer II
Jun 28, 2016
megsfolks wrote:
Why would a builder as experienced as Jayco build something so close to the edge of the cargo carrying capacity?

Because people will buy it. That's the answer.

It's very light. Some people like that and will take it in exchange for much less cargo capacity.

Yes, this is a deal breaker if you're not just an overnighter type RVer. Sounds like you need a bit more. Good thing you caught it
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Jun 28, 2016
Because it is a single axle short (under 20') light weight trailer....but it does come with nitrogen filled tires

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Jayco Hummingbird CCC---is this a deal breaker?

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