Is it a red flag if the trailer Cargo Capacity is around 1500 lbs? I have notice a lot of trailers in the 24' to 26' range either have a 6500 - 6600 GVRW or a 7500 GVWR. Would you consider the ones with a higher GVWR to be more sturdy?

My own current 19' Coachmen's CCC is well over a ton so although I'd never carry anywhere near that much and always run it's GVW fully loaded & ready to camp (~ 4800 lbs worst case) well below it's GVWR of 5800 lbs. That in turn also means the trailer's entire suspension system is running well below it's various ratings which is certainly far better than running everything close to max. Remember also that part of that stated CCC will be lost to any options, accessories, even a battery or two, before any cargo is added so actual usable CCC will never be as great as stated. For me personally, considering my preference for plenty of buffer, I'd consider a stated CCC of 1500 lbs about as little as I want.

Knowing only what I have learned on this site over that past couple of weeks it seemed like a red flag to me as well, I was just sort of hoping that I was wrong. Why would someone make a Trailer with a UVW of 5200 lbs and a GVWR of 6500 lbs. That doesn't make much sense to me... but maybe I am missing something.

SoonerWing03 wrote:Why would someone make a Trailer with a UVW of 5200 lbs and a GVWR of 6500 lbs. That doesn't make much sense to me... but maybe I am missing something.A couple of years after we bought our 2014 Coachmen Freedom Express 192RBS which has a weight sticker on the side showing a CCC of 2043 lbs friends of ours who had been dedicated popup campers for as long as I can remember decided they liked our floorplan so much they decided to move up to The Darkside as well. They chose a Starcraft Launch 21FBS, a 2016 IIRC, and although it's another foot longer it's floorplan is identical, BUT it's CCC is only ~ 1200 lbs. :E The reason is simple - economics - Starcraft was simply not willing to fit this particular model with higher rated suspension components so that it could be rated for 2000 lbs of CCC. :( Considering all the **** these friends of ours take along on camping trips I'd have little doubt they're way over on pretty well every trip they take. :R

When Dad bought his last trailer a couple years ago, he asked about how some trailers seem to have low CCC. The sales manager indicated that some models were targeted for weekend use and not for longer stays where you need more clothes, food, etc. So between saving the manufacturer money in building, it likely is market driven.. remember, you can tow it with a half ton.

In a 24' to 26' trailer you are not going to be putting more than 1500 lbs of stuff in it. My 28' has about 1200 lbs., and I got everything I need.

Trailer Cargo Capacity | Good Sam Community

32 Replies

All_I_could_aff
Explorer
Jun 23, 2018
For those of you disappointed in your CCC, check out my numbers! 549 pound available for water and other cargo after adjusting the base trailer weight for the dealer installed air conditioning, awning, spare tire, and other options.
colliehauler
Explorer III
Jun 22, 2018
beemerphile1 wrote:
colliehauler wrote:
beemerphile1 wrote:
More cargo capacity is a good thing. I wouldn't buy a trailer without a large CCC. My trailer carries 800+ pounds of water before putting anything else in.

Under stressed parts last longer.
I would agree but you and I both pull TH'S that are built purposely to haul loads in. My little 17' TH has a built in Onan and over 100 gallons of water and the cargo capacity darn near exceeds the weight of the trailer.

That is why I tow a 13 year old trailer when I can afford any TT made. After shopping for two years and looking at just about every brand made, I gutted the inside of my trailer and built what I wanted. It is no longer a TH, but is exactly what I want with no worries about capacity.

When shopping I was turned off by low cargo capacity, small tanks, and poor quality.
Would like to see pictures of your customized trailer. Ironically enough I load my BMW into the truck so the Collies and I can have more room when traveling.
beemerphile1
Explorer
Jun 22, 2018
colliehauler wrote:
beemerphile1 wrote:
More cargo capacity is a good thing. I wouldn't buy a trailer without a large CCC. My trailer carries 800+ pounds of water before putting anything else in.

Under stressed parts last longer.
I would agree but you and I both pull TH'S that are built purposely to haul loads in. My little 17' TH has a built in Onan and over 100 gallons of water and the cargo capacity darn near exceeds the weight of the trailer.

That is why I tow a 13 year old trailer when I can afford any TT made. After shopping for two years and looking at just about every brand made, I gutted the inside of my trailer and built what I wanted. It is no longer a TH, but is exactly what I want with no worries about capacity.

When shopping I was turned off by low cargo capacity, small tanks, and poor quality.
colliehauler
Explorer III
Jun 22, 2018
beemerphile1 wrote:
More cargo capacity is a good thing. I wouldn't buy a trailer without a large CCC. My trailer carries 800+ pounds of water before putting anything else in.

Under stressed parts last longer.
I would agree but you and I both pull TH'S that are built purposely to haul loads in. My little 17' TH has a built in Onan and over 100 gallons of water and the cargo capacity darn near exceeds the weight of the trailer.
colliehauler
Explorer III
Jun 22, 2018
Huntindog wrote:
rbpru wrote:

Heavy TT = Bigger Truck = more Cost. There is little correlations between weight and quality. There is some degree of correlation between cost and quality.

Disagree here.
There was recently a thread here of a destroyed 30' TT, and the poster was saying how poorly it was built.... The video showed how weak the frame was.... Things that stuck out IMO... The gvwr was pretty low for a 30', and the frame was VERY thin. About 4".

My 30' TT has a HEAVY 10" thick frame and a GVWR of 11,500.
Obviously it will be far stronger. And of course will require a stronger truck to pull it.

The lite weight TTs serve a need. The trouble is when people start expecting too much out of them.
I would have to agree with Huntindog on this I never seen a light weight Excel, New Horizon, Spacecraft mfg, Continental Forks, Travel Supreme, DRV, Teton. I know their weight far exceeds my Forest River and Keystone and so does their quality.

A lot of families do not own heavy duty trucks and the market caters to the market who pull with half tons and SUV'S.

I owned one light model and did not care for it and traded after one trip. The frame was a joke.
Huntindog
Explorer
Jun 22, 2018
rbpru wrote:

Heavy TT = Bigger Truck = more Cost. There is little correlations between weight and quality. There is some degree of correlation between cost and quality.

Disagree here.
There was recently a thread here of a destroyed 30' TT, and the poster was saying how poorly it was built.... The video showed how weak the frame was.... Things that stuck out IMO... The gvwr was pretty low for a 30', and the frame was VERY thin. About 4".

My 30' TT has a HEAVY 10" thick frame and a GVWR of 11,500.
Obviously it will be far stronger. And of course will require a stronger truck to pull it.

The lite weight TTs serve a need. The trouble is when people start expecting too much out of them.
rbpru
Explorer II
Jun 22, 2018
My Dutchmen Lite is rated 5000 lbs. dry and a max of 7500 lbs. When loaded for the road it crosses the scales at 6200 to 6400 lbs. So it is fine for us.

Heavy TT = Bigger Truck = more Cost. There is little correlations between weight and quality. There is some degree of correlation between cost and quality.

If money is not a concern, expensive is generally better. If money is an issue, then like most you will have to buy the best you can afford.

Keep in mind that all of this is second to the proper floor plan.
mike-s
Explorer
Jun 21, 2018
pulsar wrote:
mike-s wrote:
pulsar wrote:
Among those regulations is that a full propane tank must be included as part of the vehicles UVW.
Note: that's tanks, not cylinders. Cylinders are the more common BBQ style containers.

Semantics?

Federal regulations are required, now, to be written in plain English. The final publication in the Federal Registry of the regulations refer to the Plain English executive order 12866. The requirement restricts technical terms and jargon. I think most people whole would say that BBQ style containers could be called propane tanks. Do a Google search for propane tanks and see what comes up.

Regardless, the regulation makes it clear that it they is referring to the type of containers you are referring to. The final publication states:S4.3.5 If the vehicle is a recreation vehicle trailer and is equipped with a propane supply, the weight of full propane tanks must be included in the vehicle's unloaded vehicle weight.

Tom
Nope. There are significant differences between cylinders and tanks in the regulations. Cylinders are the BBQ type things, are regulated by the DOT, and require regular requalification. Tanks are meant to be permanently mounted ("equipped with a propane supply"), are spec'd by ASME, and do not require requalification.

If you're going to cite things, do it right. You're referencing 49 CFR 571.110, S4.3.5.

The difference is described in the definitions at 49 CFR 171.8:
Cylinder means a pressure vessel ... having a circular cross section. It does not include a portable tank, multi-unit tank car tank, cargo tank, or tank car.

Cargo tank means a bulk packaging that ... Is permanently attached to ... a motor vehicle ...
myredracer
Explorer II
Jun 21, 2018
Our numbers don't jive.
GVWR = 6800 lbs.
UVW on sticker inside a cabinet = 5870 lbs
Brochure UVW = 5237 lbs
Actual wt. of TT as picked up from dealer = 6477 lbs
CCC on sticker on exterior = 930 lbs, calculated with full FW tank & HWH.

Going by actual wt. of TT as picked up at the dealer, available cargo capacity is a mere 702 lbs (with empty FW tank & HWH). But if we go by the exterior sticker and take away the wt. of the FW tank (333 lbs) & HWH (46 lbs), the available cargo capacity would be 1309 lbs.

An actual CCC of 702 lbs in a 29' TT is flippin' low! Sure glad I went to a scale before the TT got home and that the total weight of camping stuff & mods is only 674 lbs. We never tow with water in any of the holding tanks otherwise would be well over the GVWR.
SoundGuy
Explorer
Jun 21, 2018
pulsar wrote:
Semantics?

Federal regulations are required, now, to be written in plan English.

SoundGuy wrote:
What the heck is "plan English"? :h

pulsar wrote:
It's what you get when you old eyes don't see that you've dropped the "i" out of "plain."

Hey, I can relate to that! :W