I've been looking at quad bunk model travel trailers with the separate room in the back and have noticed that some of the lite models have a very low cargo capacity. Some as low as 1200#. It seems like owners of these units would likely exceed the cargo capacity since the owners are probably families with kids. My Jayco 28BHS has a CCC of 2200#. Do you think the CCC on these lite units are being exceeded or are families with kids traveling very lite?

I look at CCC as the `cushion' available for that particular rig. To me the greater the cushion the more rugged is the build.I'm not a fan of `lite' models. To reduce the weight either the strength has to be compromised or the materials are very expensive to be strong but not heavy eg. carbon fiber.

It is obvious that a family would be close to maxing on a TT with a low CCC. Normally a low capacity is due to smaller, lighter duty axles. In this case, a trailer loaded to max, would be more apt to experience bent axles, suspension problems, lack of braking power, and tire failures.JMO, as it is possible to never have any issues, just some things to keep in mind.Jerry

Dick_B wrote:I look at CCC as the `cushion' available for that particular rig. To me the greater the cushion the more rugged is the build.Not necessarily ... manufacturers often use the exact same suspension components (axles, tires, etc) across an entire lineup, whether the trailer in question has a UVW of 3500 lbs or twice that, in which case the smaller, lighter trailer will have a much greater CCC. Such was the case with my own KZ Spree which wore the same suspension as much longer, heavier Sprees in the same line up - great for me as I had well in exess of a ton of CCC whereas friends with larger models could barely get by with the available CCC and remain within the trailer's ratings. The same holds true with my current 19' Coachmen Freedom Express - over a ton of CCC but not anywhere near as much with some of the larger models in the same line up.

To the original poster..I agree with you. A quad bunk house with only 1200 lbs of cargo capacity is going to be a problem with a family and all the gear.In contrast, we have an Arctic Fox on order (not a bunk house) that has a cargo capacity of almost 3200 lbs.It's all about the stoutness of the frame, and running components - axles, wheels, tires, etc.

The CCC numbers now are a different breed from the older RVIA numbers. The feds (NHTSA) developed their own standard, which manufactures are required to use.Under the new standard, water counts as part of the CCC - in the old standard, it did not.For example, a trailer with a CCC of 1200 lbs that is carrying 40-gallons of fresh water has used approximately 330 of the 1200 lbs. With the older RVIA CCC, the 40 gallons has not used any of the 1200 lbs, because the weight of a full tank of water had to be accounted for before calculating the CCC. In other words, a 1200 lbs. CCC with todays standards would be about 870 lbs. with the older standard.Note: the number of occupants had no direct bearing on the CCC of a trailer, since occupants should not be in the trailer while it is traveling. The weight of the occupants in a motorized RV counts as part of the cargo.Tom

Very low cargo capacity | Good Sam Community

scojohnson
Explorer
Jan 22, 2016
I agree with the others - Newer trailers are generally rated assuming you are carrying water, and in my opinion most state parks & national parks don't have adequate hookups - so probably good to do so.

Being over a pounds isn't going to break an axle, it's more important to watch your capacity of the tow vehicle. I wouldn't dramatically exceed the cargo capacity, but you don't have to weigh everything as it goes on board either.

2015 Chevy Colorado CC 4x4 Z71 LongBox (Smaller than most, but I get 18 MPG towing 7000 lbs)
2013 Kodiak 255BHS -> weekend use only, we still work for a living
beemerphile1
Explorer
Jan 22, 2016
pulsar wrote:
beemerphile1 wrote:
Many RVs are over their ratings. Also consider that many have less capacity than advertised after a few options are added. The advertised (brochure) cargo capacity is based on the base trailer without options.

This is no longer (legally) true for the CCC or OCCC labels. Federal rules require that a label be conspicuously displayed that gives the CCC (or OCCC for motorized RV's) for the vehicle as of final vehicle certification....

What you wrote is true and many of us are aware of that fact. However, that information is not available to a person shopping online and comparing RVs using the brochure specifications. I have to assume that reading the specs and looking at pictures online or in brochures is how most people start narrowing down their selection.
pulsar
Explorer
Jan 22, 2016
IdaD wrote:
bid_time wrote:
1200 lbs is a lot of stuff. My luggage doesn't weigh more then 100 lbs. total for three of us. Were the heck is the other 1100 lbs.

1200 lbs is nothing.

Just a typical load of water, propane and a pair of good batteries will run 500-600 lbs easy. We store a lot of our spring/summer/fall outdoor gear/clothing in the trailer because we generally use a lot of it when we're in the trailer and that stuff adds up (family of 5). Then just think about all the other stuff that's always in there - grill, bikes/toys/games, chainsaw, generator, outdoor chairs/tables/shelters, kitchen equipment/cookware/utensils, food and locally brewed beverages, sleeping bags/bedding/towels, TV/DVD, "camp stuff" like lanterns, outdoor stove, charcoal/starter, ax/saw and on and on and on.

People tend to expand into the space that's available. We started out in a pop-up and that thing was crammed. We recently upgraded to a 31' fifth wheel and I'm sure it'll end up equally crammed - CCC on it is a bit over 3000 lbs.

The weight of full tank or tanks (that ship from the factory) of propane is counted in the UVW and the weight of batteries that ship from the factory is counted in the UVW. That is, neither subtracts from the posted CCC.

Tom
pulsar
Explorer
Jan 22, 2016
beemerphile1 wrote:
Many RVs are over their ratings. Also consider that many have less capacity than advertised after a few options are added. The advertised (brochure) cargo capacity is based on the base trailer without options.

This is no longer (legally) true for the CCC or OCCC labels. Federal rules require that a label be conspicuously displayed that gives the CCC (or OCCC for motorized RV's) for the vehicle as of final vehicle certification. In addition the regulations require:
When weight is added between final vehicle certification and first retail sale, the load carrying capacity values on the labels must be corrected using one or a combination of the following methods: (a) Adding a load carrying capacity modification label within 25 mm of the existing vehicle (FMVSS No. 110) placard, and/or the motor home OCCC label, or RV trailer CCC label (FMVSS Nos. 110 and 120); (b) modifying the original permanent RV load carrying capacity label or vehicle placard with correct load carrying capacity weight values; or (c) replacing the original, permanent RV load carrying capacity label or vehicle placard with the same label or placard containing correct load carrying capacity weight values.

Federal Registry

Tom
bid_time
Nomad II
Jan 22, 2016
You'all are way overweight. Last time I weighed mine it was about 1050 lbs total; which included about 15 gals of water, which is all I need until I get were I'm going. That included, the grill, chairs, bikes, toys, awning mat, pots, pans, TV, ax, shovel, clothes, shoes, bedding, beach towels, electric cords, small appliances, food, beverages, snacks, and anything else I would typically need. I don't need a generator and 800 lbs of water (even if I filled my tank it would be less than 400 lbs.).

On edit: I just looked it up it was 1138 lbs. and I lacked nothing for a week in NY.
IdaD
Explorer
Jan 22, 2016
bid_time wrote:
1200 lbs is a lot of stuff. My luggage doesn't weigh more then 100 lbs. total for three of us. Were the heck is the other 1100 lbs.

1200 lbs is nothing.

Just a typical load of water, propane and a pair of good batteries will run 500-600 lbs easy. We store a lot of our spring/summer/fall outdoor gear/clothing in the trailer because we generally use a lot of it when we're in the trailer and that stuff adds up (family of 5). Then just think about all the other stuff that's always in there - grill, bikes/toys/games, chainsaw, generator, outdoor chairs/tables/shelters, kitchen equipment/cookware/utensils, food and locally brewed beverages, sleeping bags/bedding/towels, TV/DVD, "camp stuff" like lanterns, outdoor stove, charcoal/starter, ax/saw and on and on and on.

People tend to expand into the space that's available. We started out in a pop-up and that thing was crammed. We recently upgraded to a 31' fifth wheel and I'm sure it'll end up equally crammed - CCC on it is a bit over 3000 lbs.
beemerphile1
Explorer
Jan 22, 2016
My toy hauler carries over 800 pounds of water before adding anything else.
coolmom42
Explorer II
Jan 22, 2016
bid_time wrote:
1200 lbs is a lot of stuff. My luggage doesn't weigh more then 100 lbs. total for three of us. Were the heck is the other 1100 lbs.

First of all people in a RV are not travelling with luggage constraints, which is part of the great appeal of RV travel.

Geared towards outdoor activities, you need a variety of clothing and shoes, plus possibly bikes & other outdoor toys.

Most people with families travel with a lot of food, drinks, and kitchen equipment. All that stuff is heavy.

Add in a grill, outdoor chairs, a large door mat, at least a partial tank of fresh water, and the weight can get heavy pretty fast.
beemerphile1
Explorer
Jan 22, 2016
Many RVs are over their ratings. Also consider that many have less capacity than advertised after a few options are added. The advertised (brochure) cargo capacity is based on the base trailer without options.
bid_time
Nomad II
Jan 22, 2016
1200 lbs is a lot of stuff. My luggage doesn't weigh more then 100 lbs. total for three of us. Were the heck is the other 1100 lbs.

Forum Discussion

Very low cargo capacity

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

Trailer Cargo Capacity

Cargo capacity

Cargo Capacity

Cargo Carrying Capacity

Cargo Carrying Capacity CCC