Surveyor 19MDBLE cargo capacity

[Tschank]

First post here

Was really excited to pick up a new 2024 Surveyor 19MDBLE, but I’m already having some concerns.

When searching for a TT, my criteria was room for a family of 5 with a dry weight around 4000 lbs. I figured 1/2 the towing capacity of my Chevy Tahoe(8200 lbs) was going to be safe. Loaded up with gear, we would still give me plenty of margin to the towing capacity. However after getting it home and really looking at the numbers I see my yellow sticker reads only 660 lbs of cargo can be added.😬 This seems very under designed. That 660lbs is going to be used up very quickly.

Bikes and rack 110 lbs
Dishes and Cooking stuff 20 lbs
Camp chairs and table 50 lbs
Battery 60 lbs
Clothes/bedding 80 lbs
Food/beer 30 lbs
Misc 30 lbs

This seems like minimum 400 lbs

My plans of upgrading my batteries + solar and bringing water are almost out of the question.

Should I be concerned? Seem like Forest River is really doing a disservice to sell a trailer with a sleeping capacity of 7 and you can’t even add 100 lbs/ person.

[Boomerweps]

Yup, it is low.
But not uncommon for a single axle TT. My Wolf Pup 16BHS CCC is only 780#.
Likely your axle is rated 3500-4000#, basically the TT GVWR minus the rated tongue weight your tow vehicle will carry.
In five years, my 3500# springs were flat. I recently replaced them with ones rated at 5K. While not technically increasing my 3877# GVWR, I’m not near as concerned about weight now.
Yes, you will have to keep weight conscious. And rarely take fresh water along.
Weight loss bonus. IF you change from standard lead acid battery to LiFePO4 100AH, 65# down to 23#. It helps to offset extra solar panels.

[upflying]

The 8200lb tow capacity of your Tahoe is misleading, what is the cargo capacity of your Tahoe? That number will probably be exceeded with a family of five and the tongue weight.

[Reverse_snowbird]

Low cargo carrying capacity is very common with this type of trailer. You may have to take a second car to carry all your essential gear. Many people choose this option.

We have a van type motorhome and our cargo carrying capacity is low, but our friends with a 32' Class C were amazed to find that their CCC is similar to ours.


Welcome to the forum!

[Tschank]

The cargo capacity of the Tahoe is 1700 lbs. Our family currently is only about 600 lbs - small kids. The list tongue weight is 470. If I max out the trailer I'm still only looking at 600 lbs tongue weight max. That leaves 500 lbs of stuff I could theoretically cram in the tahoe, but there's not that much room. But to your point I knew actually pulling something 8000 lbs was not a good idea and the reason why I wanted a lighter trailer. Just feel like FR is doing a disservice to people because most will go way over that 660 lb limit and not even think about it.

Originally Posted by upflying

The 8200lb tow capacity of your Tahoe is misleading, what is the cargo capacity of your Tahoe? That number will probably be exceeded with a family of five and the tongue weight.

[Tschank]

Thanks, that's really not practical but might have to consider it. One of the reasons I wanted to "smaller rig" was better fuel economy, driving 2 cars doesn't help that cause.

Originally Posted by Reverse_snowbird

Low cargo carrying capacity is very common with this type of trailer. You may have to take a second car to carry all your essential gear. Many people choose this option.

We have a van type motorhome and our cargo carrying capacity is low, but our friends with a 32' Class C were amazed to find that their CCC is similar to ours.


Welcome to the forum!