Cargo Carrying Capacity on r-pod 176

If it doesn't help sell more trailers the industry will fight it, regardless of whether it improves safety or not. The argument they would probably use in this case is that everypone's loading requirements are different so you can't take a one size fits all approach. There is some truth to that especially if the customer hasn't towed or camped using a trailer before.

But in reality rigs like people tend to gain weight over time. So if you're new at this and want to make a choice that provides for some headroom for load growth and safety factor, just use the gross weight (empty wt + ccc) of the trailer.

For the TV, use the curb weight and add 1000 lbs which would allow you to carry 4 "FAA standard" 170 lb adults (soon expected to be raised to 190 lbs average due to the increase in obesity) and about 300 lbs of gear, which is not really a whole lot.

Typically the above will require at least a 5000 lb rated TV.

The other consideration is tongue weight. Most 5000 lb rated vehicles will have a Max tongue weight of 500 lbs, or 10% of max trailer weight. 10% is the bare minimum to mitigate sway. Add to that that it's not possible to keep your tongue weight to a fixed number as your trailer loading changes (especially water weight) and you can see that often the TV tongue weight rating will be your imiting factor.

A typical 3% variation in tongue weight would put a 3800 lb Rpod in the range of 380-500 llbs on the tongue. Another reason why a 500 tongue/5000 tow lb rated vehicle With careful loading) is generally your minimum choice.

It's a very handy calculator: WDH Calculator

You're not in great shape necessarily. The tow rating you have assumes you have an empty tow vehicle, only a driver on board. You don't get to load 1600 lbs in the TV and at the same time tow a 5000 lb trailer.

Look at the MCGVWR (Max combined gross vehicle weight rating). Should be on your driver's door sticker. That is the most your whole rig can weigh. Assume your trailer weight comes in at or near it's max. That is very likely with an rpod especially if you boondock carrying water, dual batteries, or dual propane cylinders.

Subtract that weight from the MCGVWR. That is the most your Telluride can weigh. Subtract the SUV's curb weight from that. That is the the most all the stuff, people, pets etc in the Telluride can weigh. You'll find it's less than you think. I did.

Then you'll have to decide how close to the MCGVWR you really want to be driving down the freeway in bad weather in traffic. There is a difference between what is strictly legal and what is safe for the various conditions you will experience. Most people want to be well under their max ratings. I want at least a 10-20% safety factor personally.

Not saying you can't do what you're planning. My TV has a similar set of ratings to yours. But there are just two of us and I found we had to be very careful what we carried. Just the bare minimum stuff beyond what was required when boondocking.

Originally posted by billyingolden Thank you! So I guess the question I have is whether I should reconsider purchasing it? It'll be me and my partner and our 2 year old, and we should have quite a bit of room in our tow vehicle to keep bags and stuff, but I wasn't sure if that's just normal and it's fine, or if that quite low CCC should be cause for concern.

Originally posted by billyingolden Hi everyone! I'm a hopefully soon to be owner of a new to me 2019 r-pod 176 Hood River Edition (not 10th Anniversary, just regular), and have learned a ton reading through these forums. I have a quick question about the cargo carrying capacity because the sticker is quite confusing and also very different than the material published online. The dry weight on the sticker is 2945 lbs, and the listed cargo carrying capacity just below that says 518 lbs. Then immediately below that it says "Calculated with the fresh water tanks full: Cold 250 lbs, Hot 50 lbs." But then right under "Tire and Loading information" in the sticker below, it says "The combined weight of cargo should never exceed 818 lbs." Does this mean that the CCC assuming full tanks is really only 518 lbs? That seems wildly low and much lower than what's published, so I wanted to double check whether that seems correct and figure out if I should reconsider purchasing this trailer. Thank you!

LOL! Yes to all of the above! Why would you doubt the manufacturer?

The published Unloaded Vehicle Weight of my 180 is very close at 2950 lbs. Ready to travel, mine weighs 3122 lbs. R-Pods are designed to be unusually light so you won't be able to haul your gold stash in it.