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Spacemission · 01-15-2013, 09:19 PM

So am researching a lot and figuring out what coach and coach lines have what rough capacity. Amazing variability. But need to get smarter on what kind of capacity are we likely to need? We will be reverse snow bird types, so a few months at a time. Probably a 40-43 ft. Don't think we'll haul tons of toys. And our toad will be a small car. So what kind of rough magnitude cargo capacity would everyone advise?
Thanks

tuffr2 · 01-15-2013, 10:14 PM

Winnebago increased cargo capacity in 2008 with their Maxum chassis and Fleetwood increased capacity in 2009 with their Power Bridge chassis. Lots of people do 4 to 5 months with 40 ft MH's.
If I were to buy a MH I would want as much pass thru storage as I could get. Also 2 slide out trays.

JMonroe · 01-16-2013, 08:37 AM

You'll be surprised how fast the weight goes up as you load even just the essentials. Pots, pans, plates, utensils, lawn chairs, hoses, electric cords, on and on, not to mention people and pets.

At the least you want to know the empty weight "wet", with full fuel and water tanks. Compare that to the gross vehicle weight, which should be on a sticker on the wall next to the driver's seat. Do NOT use the shipping weight for any calculations.

I'd think a minimum of a 4,000 lb usefull load (the difference between you wet weight and the CCC - cargo carry capacity), but even that can be exceeded if you're not careful. Things get a bit more complicated though when you stop to consider where that load is (axle weight). Many coaches seem to have a problem with, especially, front axle weight capacity being exceeded. Some have reported here that their 40' coaches have less than a 2,000 lb CCC after fuel and water are added to the equation (manufacturers have not always considered the practical use of their product, they're only interested on getting it out the door).

Shop carefully and you won't have to worry about overloading your rig. Ours, as example, with full fuel and water (100 gallons) still has almost a 9,000 lb CCC.

No doubt any of the toads meeting the parameters you've suggested will fall under the tow capacity of any 40 or 43' rig, but you do still have to be cognizant of the gross combined weight rating - the weight of the loaded rig plus the weight of the toad. That gross number should be on that same tag.

Good luck!