One of the TT's that I am considering has the following weight ratings (taken from the stickers on the unit).UVW: 5020 lbsGVWR: 6500 lbsMax Cargo: 1440 lbs2 axel's each rated at 3500 lbsMy question is this, if the axel's can support 7,000 lbs, why would the GVWR be 6500 lbs? Does this mean that the frame is not strong enough to support more? Or does it mean that the tires cannot support that much weight? Or neither?

All of the above. GVWR is the sum of the weakest component. Could be tires, wheels, axles, or springs.

Without seeing it I’m guessing the limit is in the tires.

So with that said, if I upgraded the tires could I effectively increase the cargo capacity?

Also, how do you explain this one?GVWR: 6600UVW: 5160Cargo Capacity: 14002 axel's each rated at 3000 3000 x 2 = 6000 < 6600 GVWR :h

SoonerWing03 wrote:So with that said, if I upgraded the tires could I effectively increase the cargo capacity?Absolutely not. As stated, no one on this forum knows exactly why rt he capacity is what it is, they're just telling you what it might be. Ludicrous to think anyone can make that kind of engineering judgement based on the limited info you provided. Why don't you believe the folks who made the trailer?

What does this mean??? | Good Sam Community

moresmoke
Explorer
Jun 24, 2018
Could be similar to my TT. 3500 lb axles, about 6000lbs. loaded ready to camp. Due to the great condition of the roads on some parts of this continent, I bent 3 axles before I gave up and went to 5000 lb axles with air ride.
SoundGuy
Explorer
Jun 23, 2018
SoonerWing03 wrote:
So with that said, if I upgraded the tires could I effectively increase the cargo capacity?

trail-explorer wrote:
Only applicable if the tires are the weakest link.

Exactly. My Coachmen which was rated by the manufacturer at over a ton of CCC came with Chinese manufactured ST205/75 R14 LR C tires rated at 1760 lbs @ 50 p.s.i. When one of them split for no apparent reason last year I replaced all four with a set of Goodyear Endurance ST205/75 R14 rated at 2040 lbs @ 65 p.s.i. The improved difference in handling was startling but the trailer's CCC is no different than it was before because the rest of the suspension system components - 3500 lb axles, equalizers, springs, etc, are all still the same. I did also replace the stock nylon bushings with Never Fail bushings but that wouldn't improve CCC either. If the trailer had too little CCC then I'd be concerned but with more than 2000 lbs to work with it will never be an issue with a trailer of this size, even though I often also travel with content in the tanks. The bottom line remains the same - the more CCC the better. ;)
Terryallan
Explorer II
Jun 23, 2018
Looking at the GVWR / max cargo carrying cap. I would pass on the TT. It does NOT have the carrying capacity needed. Yes there is a good chance you won't load 1400lb into the TT. but there is a chance you might load more, IF you carry water.
IMOP. You need a TT with a lighter UVW, or a TT with a higher GVWR.
Bobbo
Explorer II
Jun 23, 2018
The numbers don't ever add up. They are not meant to. They are derived individually.
trail-explorer
Explorer
Jun 23, 2018
SoonerWing03 wrote:
So with that said, if I upgraded the tires could I effectively increase the cargo capacity?

Only applicable if the tires are the weakest link.
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Jun 23, 2018
Huntindog wrote:
dodge guy wrote:
It could also be the springs are rated lower than the axles.
Usually (maybe always?) the axles come from Dexter, LCI etc. with the springs as a matched unit. I have never seen an axle that for example, had a tag for 3500# not have 1750 # springs from the factory.

What I have seen is a 5200# axle that was the same as it's 6000# cousin, the only difference was the springs. But they were tagged at 5200 and 6000#.

So in that case, one could put the 3000# springs on it and have a 6000# axle. But it would still be tagged at 5200#.

I was wondering about that. I didn’t know if the axles came without springs and then they simply installled the springs they needed or if they came complete.
Huntindog
Explorer
Jun 22, 2018
dodge guy wrote:
It could also be the springs are rated lower than the axles.
Usually (maybe always?) the axles come from Dexter, LCI etc. with the springs as a matched unit. I have never seen an axle that for example, had a tag for 3500# not have 1750 # springs from the factory.

What I have seen is a 5200# axle that was the same as it's 6000# cousin, the only difference was the springs. But they were tagged at 5200 and 6000#.

So in that case, one could put the 3000# springs on it and have a 6000# axle. But it would still be tagged at 5200#.
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Jun 22, 2018
It could also be the springs are rated lower than the axles.
rbpru
Explorer II
Jun 22, 2018
The sticker is telling you that for whatever reason or reasons or safety factors or phase of the moon; the TT manufacturer is telling you the TT is designed for a specific maximum load.

My F-150's weight and max cargo is less than the axel ratings because that is what Ford wants based on whatever factors they consider.

You can play whatever guessing games you want, but you cannot change the fact that the TT maker only want you to haul a certain amount of weight.

You can ignore the factory numbers and haul what you like. I am sure many people do. But you do so at your own risk. At least when something goes wrong, you will know who to blame.
APT
Explorer
Jun 22, 2018
SoonerWing03 wrote:
It's not that I don't believe them, I am just trying to figure out why their numbers don't seem to add up....why the GVWR would be less than the axel rating.

Why do you think the axle rating should match GVWR?

If they do not match, then the axles are not the weakest component in the RV. The problem is that no one except the manufacturer does know what the weakest link is.