Newbie Pre Purchase Questions

Ok, thanks for the info! - so it looks like if I want to jump to anything w a bunkhouse over 20' I'm in the 6k-7.5klb hitch weight range. This will put me right at the top of my cargo weight as most will be around the 900lb mark loaded (is it naive to think I won't max out my TT cargo weight?) So that means I'm over if I want to take another person in my car etc? In your experience how much wiggle room is there, realistically?

I guess I'm just trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. The sub 23' models look very cramped to me. And, frustratingly, there seems to be little difference in weight between 23-28' models.

Boomerweps wrote:

pasta4lnch wrote:
Thanks again for all the replys!! This is really helping me...
Sticker on my truck reads 1788lbs cargo. 13% of the larger Jayco we were looking at is 975lbs. That leaves just over 800lbs for us. I guess the question is, will I damage my truck by running at the max cargo weight?
Also, is the GVWR the dry weight + carrying capacity?

Damage your truck? Nope. A little harder on the wear and tear? Yup, but you're still within the factory design specs. Not a huge worry.
GVWR is Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. GTWR, substitute Trailer for Vehicle. GTWR is the dry weight plus the CCC (Cargo Carrying Capacity). On many trailers, especially the small single axle ones, the GTWR is the TT's GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) plus the TT Tongue Weight (that the tow vehicle effectively carries.)
Water can eat up a lot of the CCC. Many travel with minimal (for occasional toilet use during travel) or no water in their tanks to save towing and tongue weight.