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Old 10-10-2020, 03:25 PM   #1
rvwonderful
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How to increase RV cargo carrying capacity?

Looking at a 5th wheel bunkhouse floor plan:

Dry weight(UVW): 8295 lbs
Hitch Weight: 1338 lbs
GVWR: 10195 lbs
Fresh water tank: 62 Gal
Grey Water tank: 78 Gal
Waste Water tank: 39 Gal

It is bunkhouse model and supposed to sleep up to 6 persons.

The cargo carrying capacity(CCC) is GVWR-UVW: 1900 lbs, which is too small for a family of 6 persons full time living, e.g. 4 adults and 2 kids.

62 gal fresh water is 62*8.3, about 500 lbs.
Grey/waster tanks: assume half empty 500 lbs
6 persons: e.g. 800 lbs.
Food: 200 lbs
Cooking utensils: 100 lbs
Clothing: 50 lbs * 6 = 300 lbs
Propane: 60 lbs
Portable washer: 50 lbs
Misc: 200 lbs

the CCC of 1900 lbs is just too small. Is there a way to increase CCC to about 3000 lbs? Thanks.
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Old 10-10-2020, 03:28 PM   #2
sourdough
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You need to go to a large, full profile 5th wheel. 6 people living full time in an RV is...a lot. Is it going to be stationary or are you going to actually tow it?
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Old 10-10-2020, 03:37 PM   #3
rvwonderful
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Originally Posted by sourdough View Post
You need to go to a large, full profile 5th wheel. 6 people living full time in an RV is...a lot. Is it going to be stationary or are you going to actually tow it?
Half stationary half travel. E.g. stay in a RV park for a month, then travel, go to another park, stay one month. Full profile 5th wheel is much heavier, 3000-5000 lbs heavier. Hope to find one that is half ton or 3/4 ton towable, up to 80 percent of the truck towing limit to be safe.
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Old 10-10-2020, 03:38 PM   #4
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Specs you list show the hitch weight of 1338. The hitch weight is better estimated by using real world numbers as the fully loaded weight is 10195 lbs. The hitch weight will be 20-23 percent of this number so between 2050 and 2300 lbs. If you add stuff to the bed of your tow vehicle this will eat into your available payload allowable for your truck. OEM hitch weights are based on a totally empty camper as delivered to the dealer. They are never helpful or represent reality.
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Old 10-10-2020, 03:39 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by rvwonderful View Post

the CCC of 1900 lbs is just too small. Is there a way to increase CCC to about 3000 lbs? Thanks.
Short answer is no. Have you looked at toy haulers? Two bunks on garage, loft, master bedroom?
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Old 10-10-2020, 03:56 PM   #6
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OP I think the best thing you could do for us and you is post the type of truck you have and the payload/gawrs from the stickers inside the driver door. It sounds like you are trying to buy a small 5th wheel for 6 people then figure out how to put 3000+ lbs. in it then tow it with a 1/2 ton??? That just won't happen.
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Old 10-10-2020, 04:08 PM   #7
rvwonderful
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Small and light weight is more friendly to national/state parks, and easier to tow. Prefer 5th wheel since it is easier and more stable(no or less sway) on road to tow than TT.

The floor plan is designed to accommodate 6 persons, but it does not have enough CCC. The manufacturer should have put more powerful suspension and tires.
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Old 10-10-2020, 04:17 PM   #8
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OP I think the best thing you could do for us and you is post the type of truck you have and the payload/gawrs from the stickers inside the driver door. It sounds like you are trying to buy a small 5th wheel for 6 people then figure out how to put 3000+ lbs. in it then tow it with a 1/2 ton??? That just won't happen.
Looking for both 5th wheel and towing truck. Prefer smaller, access more parks, easier to go through gas station, ...
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Old 10-10-2020, 04:20 PM   #9
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Your going to be very hard pressed to find a “light weight” trailer with 3000lbs of CCC. And if you do find any trailer with 3000 lbs of CCC a 1/2 ton and most 3/4 ton trucks won’t be enough.
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Old 10-10-2020, 04:22 PM   #10
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How to increase RV cargo carrying capacity?

3000 CCC is optimistic.

Best I could find was 2084 lbs for the FW in my signature that can handle an extended family of six somewhat comfortably for a week getaway and 3/4 ton gas towable.
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Old 10-10-2020, 04:29 PM   #11
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Why are you adding 800 pounds of people to the cargo capacity? They aren’t riding back there while you are driving. Please don’t tell us that.
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Old 10-10-2020, 04:48 PM   #12
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Originally Posted by rvwonderful View Post
Looking for both 5th wheel and towing truck. Prefer smaller, access more parks, easier to go through gas station, ...
I'm sure a salesman would tell you differently, but a half ton just isn't gonna cut it with a fifth wheel, especially a bunk house or a toy hauler. Figure out what your requirements are as to how many people it sleeps then do your homework on what size truck you need. Again, don't ask a salesman, whether RV or vehicle. They really just don't know and all their information is fueled by sales numbers and quotas.

Don't be afraid to go big. In reality, towing a "small" fifth wheel isn't much different from a "big" fifth wheel. What's important is to have to have an adequate truck that is capable. Obviously if you get into the bigger units you seriously need to consider going with a diesel engine. I know the gas versions will do the job in many instances and will most always show a bigger payload number, but you'll have to decide what you can live with vs what you have to pull up the hill. And understandably, what your bank account can live with. I haven't owned a gas powered truck in many years and I don't see myself going back to one, but that's on you. Just make sure to err on the side of bigger vs smaller. And understand that the difference in price between a 3/4 ton and a one ton isn't significant. But the difference in what you can tow with each is significant. The dimensions of a half ton, a 3/4 ton and a one ton truck are virtually the same also, so don't let that sway your decision.

Good luck with your decision, it's great that you are doing your research ahead of time! Many come here and ask questions AFTER they have made a decision without the benefit of research and that can be financially devastating.
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Old 10-10-2020, 06:02 PM   #13
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Originally Posted by rvwonderful View Post

the CCC of 1900 lbs is just too small. Is there a way to increase CCC to about 3000 lbs? Thanks.
NO!

In fact it may even go lower with dealer installed options.
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Old 10-10-2020, 06:15 PM   #14
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Originally Posted by rvwonderful View Post
Half stationary half travel. E.g. stay in a RV park for a month, then travel, go to another park, stay one month. Full profile 5th wheel is much heavier, 3000-5000 lbs heavier. Hope to find one that is half ton or 3/4 ton towable, up to 80 percent of the truck towing limit to be safe.
Well it sounds like you are going to be Full Timers. I will tell you now if you are currently a family of six, two adults and four children you don't want anything smaller than 38' and 40' would be better for your sanity.
You would be wise to get a one ton DRW to tow it with, six people in the tow vehicle at 800# takes a bit from the payload of the TV.

The idea of a Toy Hauler is not too bad as without toys, the garage could serve as a kids room/space.
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Old 10-10-2020, 06:16 PM   #15
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Originally Posted by rvwonderful View Post
Looking at a 5th wheel bunkhouse floor plan...the CCC of 1900 lbs is just too small. Is there a way to increase CCC to about 3000 lbs? Thanks.
Short answer - NO. The cargo capacity is fixed by the manufacturer and can't be increased unless you want to remove the top, sides, and contents of the trailer. The GVWR for the trailer (which includes cargo capacity) is certified by the manufacturer and can not be modified by the user (unless recertified by an authorized authority). You can't add heavier axles, springs, etc. All you will end up doing is overloading the frame. The GVWR is the GVWR.

You can not "cheap" your way into an RV carrying 6 people for several months of extended living using a 1/2 ton tow vehicle and expect to be comfortable or safe. You are going to need a much larger trailer and AT LEAST a 1 ton. For something like a toy hauler with beds front and back (and cargo capacity of 3000#) you will need a DRW (dual rear wheel) tow vehicle. Our Raptor 353TS has a 3100# cargo capacity - trailer GVWR is 17,000 and it takes a dually for sure.

Hope that helps.
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Old 10-10-2020, 06:20 PM   #16
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So OP is looking for a 5er, around 30' to use in NP campgrounds, sleeps 6, 3,000 lb cargo capacity and 1/2 or 3/4 ton towable. That's a pretty good description of a Unicorn
Reminds me of a poem I once knew:
You'll see green alligators and long-necked geese
Some humpty-backed camels and some chimpanzees
Some cats and rats and elephants, but sure as you're born
You're never gonna see no unicorn.

Sorry, just running a bit late taking my meds....
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Old 10-10-2020, 06:24 PM   #17
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This really needs music to go with it (ha-ha).
Good job!
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Old 10-10-2020, 07:23 PM   #18
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Couple of facts;
You WILL NEVER be able to tow the 5th wheel you're looking for with a 1/2 ton pickup regardless of what ANY rv or truck salesman may tell.
You won't find a 5th that will fit your family of 6 comfortably with ALL their stuff under 38-40', most likely a toyhauler.
That 38-40' toyhauler WILL require at minimum a diesel 1 ton with a diesel dually being the best option.
There are rv parks all across the country that will accommodate this setup not just state parks.
A lot of state parks limit your stay to 14 days, some/most don't have full hookups which will be almost a must for a family of 6 fulltiming & some/most only have 30 amp electric, with a rig that size you absolutely need 50 amp for the 2 air conditioners (possible 3) that will be mandatory for a toyhauler.
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Old 10-10-2020, 07:34 PM   #19
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[QUOTE=travelin texans;415688]Couple of facts;
You WILL NEVER be able to tow the 5th wheel you're looking for with a 1/2 ton pickup regardless of what ANY rv or truck salesman may tell.
QUOTE]

quoting you to append: "or what some members of this forum may argue"

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Old 10-10-2020, 07:45 PM   #20
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So OP is looking for a 5er, around 30' to use in NP campgrounds, sleeps 6, 3,000 lb cargo capacity and 1/2 or 3/4 ton towable. That's a pretty good description of a Unicorn
Reminds me of a poem I once knew:
You'll see green alligators and long-necked geese
Some humpty-backed camels and some chimpanzees
Some cats and rats and elephants, but sure as you're born
You're never gonna see no unicorn.

Sorry, just running a bit late taking my meds....

Ho ho ho! Is this what the OP is looking for?

Edit: posted the link for the song because the above post reminded me of it and DW loves it. OP, the conversation/search for that 1/2 ton 5th wheel is pretty much useless unless you post what you intend to pull it with. If TV is up in the air, and an option, what is that?

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