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

beemerphile1
Explorer
Jun 21, 2018
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.
mike-s
Explorer
Jun 21, 2018
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.
pulsar
Explorer
Jun 21, 2018
afidel wrote:
My trailer has a bit under 600# of CCC, hasn't been an issue for us. We did 3 weeks 5k miles with 5 people in our little 18' trailer and still managed to be about 100lb under the GVWR. One thing that helps is that our CCC sticker is true weight, it included all options and the weight of a battery and full propane tank.

Once upon a time (prior to 2008) there was no real enforcement of accuracy on CCC claims by manufacturers. CCC was a labeling requirement of RVIA that was suppose to be followed by all members. But...

In 2007, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, published rules that all RV manufactures are required to follow. That doesn't mean that some are dishonest, I wouldn't know. But, now, enforcement is backed by federal regulation.

Among those regulations is that a full propane tank must be included as part of the vehicles UVW. As far as options, if added by the manufacturer, they must be included as part of the UVW. If added by the dealer: (from the federal regulations)
If weight exceeding 45.4 kg (100 pounds) is added to a motor home or RV trailer between final vehicle certification and first retail sale of the vehicle, the load carrying capacity values on the RV load carrying capacity labels (Figures 1 and 2) required by S10.4 must be corrected...

In other words, all RV's are required by federal regulation to have a "true weight" CCC label.

Tom
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Jun 20, 2018
Winnebago is strange about this issue. The 27RBDS has only a little over 1300 pounds for stuff yet my 2101DS has 3220. Seems you’d carry more in the 30 1/2 foot 27RBDS than my little 22 footer. Except you can’t.
Huntindog
Explorer
Jun 20, 2018
SoonerWing03 wrote:
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.
What you are missing is cost.
Many owners never weigh their TTs or care if they are over. Many others claim that they always pack light.
A TT with a lower GVW will cost less to produce, and with so many potential buyers not concerned about it.... A need is created, and the manufacturers will meet the need.
afidel
Explorer II
Jun 20, 2018
My trailer has a bit under 600# of CCC, hasn't been an issue for us. We did 3 weeks 5k miles with 5 people in our little 18' trailer and still managed to be about 100lb under the GVWR. One thing that helps is that our CCC sticker is true weight, it included all options and the weight of a battery and full propane tank.
pulsar
Explorer
Jun 20, 2018
Be aware that water counts against the CCC; it is considered cargo. The label that states the CCC should also state what a full load of water would weigh. At 8.34 lbs. per gallon, can be a big factor in how much "stuff" you can carry.

Tom
troubledwaters
Nomad
Jun 20, 2018
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.
hawkeye-08
Explorer III
Jun 20, 2018
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.
SoundGuy
Explorer
Jun 20, 2018
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

Forum Discussion

Trailer Cargo Capacity

32 Replies

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

Ram 1500 Towing Capacity

Towing capacity vs max cargo weight rating

Cargo Trailer Conversion

How much cargo capacity do I need for TT?

Cargo trailer bathroom plan