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TigerTrek's avatar
TigerTrek
Explorer
Nov 08, 2015

Jayco Greyhawk Math Help

Hello All, I'm doing some math here and could use some expert opinion.

My 2010 Greyhawk 31FS has a GVWR rating of 14,500 lbs and GCVR of 19,500 lbs. I'm looking to take 9 people (2 men under 200 lbs, 3 women under 140 lbs, 3 young teens at under 100 each and a toddler under 50. I have taken all the camping gear (we are just using it for driving across the plans, not into the mountains) out of the motorhome but we will need luggage for a week of skiing, including skis....so let say 375 lbs of luggage and skis. I'm running with my water tanks in winterized mode with just enough antifreeze treated water to do some toilet flushing...so let's say 5 gallons. Propane will be topped off after season so let's say 50 lbs and the ladies will bring snacks and drinks probably under 15 lbs.

Most info I can find on various forums indicates the 2010 Greyhawk series net carry capacity at around 1,850 lbs and by my math humans, food, water and propane are at around 1200, let's add another 75 lbs for bedding and add on entertainment stuff (TVs, DVDs) and emergency tools.

I am also towing a 2007 Honda Odyssey which has a weight of 4360 lbs and using my sweet new combo tow dolly which is really nice but kind of heavy at 750 lbs, but with a tongue weight of only 315 lbs.

First question, do you think this is do able? Second question, should I put the luggage and skis in the Odyssey or keep them in the motorhome? And third question which is general..does fuel reduce net carry capacity?

Thanks.
Class C
  • NWboondocker's avatar
    NWboondocker
    Explorer
    Nov 13, 2015
    I wouldn't sweat it, certainly not worrying about 50lbs here or there. Even +1000 lbs on 14,500 is only 7%, minor when compared to safety margins on tires (hot weather being more concerning), brakes (which you have supplemental), suspension, & chassis. You'll hardly notice it, and you can increase your driving safety margins (speed, following distance, etc.) to further reduce any concern.
  • TigerTrek's avatar
    TigerTrek
    Explorer
    Nov 12, 2015
    Ok, got her all weighed. 13,100 even with me, one teenager and the toddler. Figure I will pull out the pots and pans and a 27 inch flatscreen and some camping stuff - say 50 lbs. So one more adult male at 170, women at 125, 145 and 105, two more young teenagers at 90 each. So that puts me at 13,775 plus tongue weight of 315 so 14,090. Leaves me with 410 for luggage and skis.

    The van and trailer are at 5,110 already. But I'm thinking I will put the skis in the mini van and the luggage in the RV cargo compartment. A typical clothing bag at the airport when we travel is about 40 lbs which usually includes one adult and one kid, so another 200 lbs. Put's me about 200 lbs under in the RV (a slight margin of error) but including skis about 200 lbs over in the tow vehicle.

    I've pulled this van on a lighter tow dolly before and I can't even tell its back there performance wise. And this new dolly is much more solid and has trailer brakes which will be nice.

    Does this seem doable? Unfortunately this has to be determined on the theoretical level, because if we decide to load this rig there won't be any going back.

    And as far as the comfort goes, the alternative for these kids is to be strapped into a really crowded mini van for 20 hours, so while this conversation is still theoretical, if it can't be made to work then that is the alternative.

    Thanks again for indulging me.
  • Snowman9000's avatar
    Snowman9000
    Explorer
    Nov 09, 2015
    Yeah, I can't imagine 9 people in any 31' MH. Not even saying about seat belts. Sitting on jacknife sofa and dinette seating would be miserable, for me anyway.
  • DrewE's avatar
    DrewE
    Explorer II
    Nov 09, 2015
    The weight listed on the inner door sticker is supposedly what that particular unit weighs from the factory.

    It sounds like you would be very close to all the limits, or slightly over, if your weights are accurate. I can see two reasonable options. The first is to just go for it, after making sure the tires are fully up to their proper pressures, and drive carefully and hope for the best; you shouldn't be grossly overweight, and are not operating outside the law. I would avoid putting heavy stuff in the minivan in this case because it's maxing out the (assumed) 5000 pound hitch empty.

    A better plan IMHO would be to leave the tow dolly behind and have someone drive the minivan with some people and/or stuff separately. This would ensure you're well under all the limits and generally be safer; it might also be somewhat more comfortable than having 9 people in the motorhome, depending on the people and their congeniality and the layout of the motorhome.
  • TigerTrek's avatar
    TigerTrek
    Explorer
    Nov 09, 2015
    Thanks for your replies. I'll weigh "empty" this week and post what I get.

    By the way, looked at the inner door label which says loaded with fuel and propane the Greyhawk weighs 12,600 and says all cargo including water and tongue weight of trailer is not to exceed 1,575.
  • lanerd's avatar
    lanerd
    Explorer II
    Nov 08, 2015
    yep... all info is useless without knowing what the mh weighs as it sits, before you put everything in it. Critical piece of info.

    Ron
  • j-d's avatar
    j-d
    Explorer II
    Nov 08, 2015
    I get 1170 for humans only. Our older Jayco 31 has 08 seat belts in the House plus two in the cockpit. I was surprised. Problem with your calculation is the ratings are absolute (Ford doesn't want your coach to weigh more than 14500) but the numbers like 1850 NCC are Estimates. You won't know what you're working with unless you weigh the Jayco and the Honda.
  • sch911's avatar
    sch911
    Explorer
    Nov 08, 2015
    So how much does the Greyhawk weigh? Get it weighed. GVWR - What It Weighs = What you can carry. GCWR - What it Weighs = What you can tow.

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