What happens if we exceed the weight limit?

[stanczak]

Bought a used C class to drive down to Florida, we will not be camping it it just traveling.  On the cupboard door it says 1,668 would be left for people and luggage and etc....  After figuring everyone's weight we would only have about 240 lbs left for luggage and anything else. I figure we will have 5 duffle bags.

We could go without and water in the tanks, not sure how much they weight. We considered buying a platform to hook on the back for luggage, but it seems like that would add to the weight?

So are we in danger if we are a few hundred pounds over? We will be traveling from Indiana to Florida

 

[RoyM]

That little would normally not be noticeable. However, if you get into an accident and investigation shows you were over weight, the insurance company and police could make life difficult.

 

[Lowell]

You might also consider not filling up the fuel tank and making more frequent fuel stops.  A gallon of fuel weighs just over 6 lbs., so depending on your fuel tank size, it may or not help.  Not filling the watertank, will mean you have to make restroom stops anyway, so between the two, you should be able to get by.

 

[hes4all]

That little would normally not be noticeable. However, if you get into an accident and investigation shows you were over weight, the insurance company and police could make life difficult.

What he said. Not worth the risk. Goodluck

 

[Molaker]

Anything you add to the MH such as a luggage rack will not improve your load carrying capacity.  However, the one option might be a small cargo trailer.  The weight of a small 1500-2000 lb trailer on the MH GVW should only be the tongue weight (150-200 lbs or so) plus the hitch (if not already included in weights).  Your excess luggage, MH spare tire, etc. could be carried in the trailer.  Just make sure you stay below the GCWR of the MH and GTW of the trailer and hitch capacity.

 

[Quillback 424]

You won't need to guess if you weigh the rig.

Make sure your grey and black tanks are empty and dump the fresh water tank. Fill the rig with gas and go to a scale and have it weighed for about $10 with no people in the rig. Note on the scale ticket that you have a full tank of gas and estimate the amount of propane you have on board (no need to fill the propane if you will not be camping) and log that amount (1/4, 1/2 or 3/4) on the ticket.

Then, compare the actual weight listed on the scale ticket with the GVWR posted in the cupboard and you will know how much additional weight (people, water and stuff) the rig can carry safely without exceeding GVWR.

 

[dave61]

Certainly you should make an effort to travel as light as you can. Having empty tanks would be prudent since liquid is heavy and not a necessity while traveling. The weight you do carry would be best stowed as low as possible, not in the bunk over tha cab for instance.

From a safety standpoint most people here consider tires to need replacing when they reach 7 years, regardless of how much tread they may have. If you don't know about date codes on tires do a search here and check yours out. Being max weight and old tires may be asking for trouble.

Keep in mind most class c rigs of 24 (or so) feet out there on Ford E350 or Chevy 3500 chassis have about the same load carrying capacity.