How much cargo capacity is enough

[campdevo]

Hi all -

I’m in the market for out first TT, will be myself and two kids most of the time. We plan on dry camping off-pavement + bikes, inflatable boat and toys most always. I’m a little concerned about what I suspect is too low cargo in many many trailers I am seeing.

For instance I have a hold on a 2020 Jayco SLX 224BHS which I really like the floor plan, features, price but it only has 1095 cargo. Minus 400lbs freshwater leaves just 695lbs.

Some non-toy hauler TT’s have much greater, like a Forest River Wildwood X-lite which has more like 3000lbs cargo!!!

Im not gonna live full time but we want to be able to bring stuff, my questions:

Is the 224BHS too low cargo for us? I know it’s subjective but generally how much how much cargo do experienced folks recommend?

Why 3x cargo diff between these two? construction. Tired&axles.

Any recommendations on a brand/series’s with good value as far as price vs good cargo

Thanks a ton! Be safe and kind out there it’s a crazy crazy world nowadays.

[NewBlackDak]

It really depends on your usage. Our standard load out(always in the trailer) for a family of 7 is just over 500lbs. That’s lawn chairs, tables, grill, tools, electrical/water gear, fishing items, games, dvds, balls, dishes, linens, and outdoor games. Generator, fuel, water totes, and firewood went in truck bee. Food and clothes are very dependent on the trip length. The big difference makers for us(before the toy hauler and SxS/dirt bikes) was bikes, and kayaks.

[cherv]

Weight is your enemy. The bigger the hole the morestuff you will bring ust in case stuff. We whittled down our stuff if it was not used in 1yr. Try to find 2 uses for each item and fellow campers are very helpful for an item you do not have on board.

[Old-Biscuit]

you & 2 boys...........
Not only do you need to pay attention to Cargo Carrying Capacity but planning on Dry Camping you need fresh water/waste tank capacity otherwise you spend alot of your camping time hauling/dumping


Figure at least 1500# for you/boys and STUFF
Look for 50 gallon waste tanks........hauling fresh water in is easier then dumping/transporting waste


Good luck and here's to you/boys making memories!!

[Mtn. Lion]

Part of the payload discrepancy (3x) can be from fudging the numbers.

[tuffr2]

I started with paper plates, bowls,cups and plastic flatware.

Ended up with Corell Ware, Real silverware, thick coffee cups and beer mugs my Keurig, rake, shovel, bug killer and sometimes my heavy generator, my kayak, my bicycle and more clothing.

Now, I never went thru and got rid of anything because I liked having my stuff with me.

You probably need around 2,000lbs cargo capacity imho.

[campdevo]

I have two girls actually [emoji16] 9 and 10. We have done a bit of car camping max of about 4-5 nights dry between resupply. Found I need at least 21gals water in jugs and a couple water shower bags. Live in N. Arizona. That length prob not gonna change but could with a TT I guess.

It would be great to have 1500 to 2000 CCC so I don’t have to worry or make a spreadsheet and start weighing stuff. But looks like I would need to plan out stuff more carefully for the stated ccc of most units I see.

Is Forest River known for overstating? I mean non-toy hauler dual axle units prob mostly all have 3500lb axles and the same tires but maybe not. (Talking myself out of staying under a low ccc)

I have a 1/2 ton truck too with a ridiculously low cargo (2018 RAM Rebel). Following its numbers the last MTB road trip I took with 3 friends was likely overloaded.

... so much to learn and choices to weigh [emoji6]

This is great feedback coming in, thanks!!

[BirchyBoy]

Don’t forget a battery (or two) and propane tanks that both take away from CCC and affect tongue weight.

[BirchyBoy]

The CCC can’t really be overstated if you look at the yellow tag. That will give you the max weights and will say how much a full freshwater tank weighs.

[mb36912]

Like tuffr2, I would try to stay with at least 2000 lbs CCC. You will not regret it.

[gatorb8]

for me, 2000# minimum, I need “stuff”!

[SailorSam]

You can balance your cargo between the trailer and your TV. Many trailers don't allow a bike rack on the trailer bumper and may void your frame warranty if you make alterations to it like adding a mount for bikes. FWIW, I'm scared when I see a trailer with 4 bikes on the back. They bounce ALOT!

So the answer to how much capacity you need is very dependent on how you set things up.

[Rumline]

Our previous rig was a travel trailer with ~1800 lb payload capacity. I was concerned about weights, specifically tongue weight, so I made frequent visits to the CAT scale at the beginning. We're a family of three with two dogs, but we didn't bring that many toys, we didn't have a generator, and our fresh water tank was only 30 gals. But the most we ever loaded it up, for a two-week boondocking trip, we only used up ~1200 lbs of payload capacity. Just a data point for your consideration.

Cargo capacity on TTs is generally driven by construction materials used combined with what axles/tires are used. But they could also be playing games. Look at the axle weight rating compared to GVWR. Sometimes they install two 3500 lb axles but then say the GVWR is 7800 lbs...must be that new math they're teaching kids these days. No but really I think they're counting on you putting 800 lbs (in that example) on the tongue which in my opinion is malarkey. Yes you need at least 10% tongue weight but that doesn't count as extra carrying capacity; GVWR should never (IMO) be greater than the combined axle weight ratings at most.