By Cheri Sicard
Joshua from RV Gear and Far discovered something absolutely unacceptable and something that anyone considering this particular rig needs to be aware of. And you should definitely check out any rig for this… It’s the RV cargo weight maximum.
In a new YouTube feature known as “shorts” (which, just as they sound, are short video clips), Joshua takes a look at the HUGE and impressive cargo carrying space on a new Grand Design Solitude 5th wheel. There is a TON of cargo carrying room!
BUT (and this BUT is so big you might as well name it Kim Kardashian), this RV comes with a warning that this enormous storage space can only carry a maximum of 1,550 pounds!
Pretty much everyone driving around in this rig is likely driving around with too much weight.
As Joshua says, this is unacceptable. With this much storage space, this RV needs a third axle. The RV cargo weight is simply FAR too low for the amount of space provided.
Take a quick look, especially if you are considering a Grand Design Solitude. I don’t know what this manufacturer was thinking!
Watch the super short video below and see if you don’t agree.
After you watch, make sure you read Dave Solberg’s article about towing capacities. Yikes!
##RVT1089
You also need to check the “CCC” does or does not include passengers, fuel, etc.
Sort of. CCC is only used on trailers, not motorhomes, so there is no fuel.
Motorhomes use OCCC (Occupant and Cargo Carrying Capacity) and yes, that number includes all fluids needed for the motorhome to do its thing as a vehicle, including the weight of a full tank of fuel, so there is no need to try and calculate how fuel affects the cargo loading limit.
“Passengers” are included in the GVWR calculations of a trailer by taking the number of “sleeps” specified by the manufacturer and multiplying that number by 154 lbs. “Passengers” are not cargo but yes, they still add weight to the GVWR and GAWR when parked.
Yup, I believe it.
Another reason why I bought a Montana 35′ which has 3750 CC. I usually travel with about 2500 lbs. Heavier frame and axles make a big difference!
Yep, same here.
When we were looking for a TT two years ago we were astounded by the misinformation we were given about weights and towing capacities (yellow sticker is something lawyers require but can be exceeded without any problems, tow vehicle capacities are set low to upsell to a bigger vehicle but your SUV can tow a lot more than they say it can). Lets just say we walked out of more than one dealership because of the outright lies we were being told. When we found a dealer that started the conversation by talking about tow vehicles and weights we knew we were in the right place.
WOW…. thank you for bringing this to our attention. Just went to the RV show & Grand design was one of the manufacturers we are considering. That is just SHADY!!!!
Wow, a young man who is mature enough to look up the stats for himself and understands what he reads! That video says it all. It should be required viewing for all newbies walking into a RV show. If they view it and it doesn’t register with them, they are sheep to be sheared.
Ray, if you would have left out the first sentence, I would totally agree with you. Can’t understand why some people can’t resist knocking younger generations. We were all young once!
Being young or being female doesn’t mean stupid know-nothings. Some of us make a point of learning as much as we can. I’ve been researching for 2 years now and I probably know as much about my future home as the manufacturer does.
I’m surprised that he didn’t mention: a full fresh-water tank will subtract 648 pounds from that 1550 limit. So EVERYTHING you load into your trailer must not exceed 902 pounds. Since the GVW is applicable when parked, let’s subtract two adults and two small kids (308 + 140 = 448), for a remaining allowable cargo of 454 pounds. I think I’m in agreement that everyone who owns one of those is running overweight.
They want you to pay the extra money to get the 8K axle upgrade so you can have the correct amount of carrying capacity. People need to look at the yellow tags!!
Agree these CCC’s are absurd. Meanwhile, over here in Dutch Star land, we have over 4,000 lbs of CCC, 3x what we had in out Winnebago gasser…but we can’t fully utilize it due to teeny tiny cupboards. 🙄
I’m not the least bit surprised. There’s nothing grand in their design. They are the most over hyped brand in the industry due to their YouTube marketing. The quality just isn’t there.
Video was not available as it is “private”.
Thank you, Bob. Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com