Insufficient cargo capacity 30rk & 31rk

These are discussions that contain lots of good info, so did not want to eliminate it. It has closed so we can take advantage of making the forum easier to find what you are looking for.
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bayoubengal
Posts: 421
Joined: Sun Jun 24, 2007 6:44 pm
Location: Louisiana Amite
Cardinal Owners: 2008 31RKLE
Location: Louisiana Amite

Insufficient cargo capacity 30rk & 31rk

Post by bayoubengal »

I am really concerned about only having 1800 lbs cargo capacity on these units. At our dealer they are all coming equipped with geny prep. A built in generator is going to weigh approx 300 lbs, The 65 gal fresh water filled weighs 452 lbs. That leaves about 700 lbs for stuff. We are packing for a trip and just for curiosity we started weighing everything. We have already loaded about 500 lbs and have not even started on clothes and food. Also, still have to pack all the tools and other items in the cargo area. Our dealer says this is not a problem, no one has complained. But if I have axle or tire problems the first thing Forest River and Alko are going to say is that I overloaded the unit. But how do you not, they have smaller 5vers with larger axles, why is this unit using the bare minimum. This sounds like a serious safety issue. And my dealer says Forest River won't upgrade these axles.

That carrying capacity, does it mean only weight on the axles, which doesn't include pin weight? Or is this total weight?
Vince & Kim
2011 Silverado 3500HD LTZ, SRW, D/A, Extended Cab, LB
2008 31RKLE
Nights Camped:
'02--74 '06--122 '10--24
'03--59 '07--47 '11--44
'04--83 '08--98 '12--76
'05--99 '09--84
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Shields
Posts: 443
Joined: Thu Mar 23, 2006 9:18 pm
Location: Michigan Dorr
Cardinal Owners: 31 RK LE
Location: Michigan Dorr

Post by Shields »

The load on the axles is actually the total weight minus the pin weight divided by the number of axles. But I admit I have never weighed mine loaded and "go by the grace of god". :) But, you have to be mindful of what your truck can haul so you should get that information and know what it is.
Al and Nadine
Cardinal 31RK, 2006
2009 Dodge Cummins 3500 Dually.
Dorr, Michigan
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bayoubengal
Posts: 421
Joined: Sun Jun 24, 2007 6:44 pm
Location: Louisiana Amite
Cardinal Owners: 2008 31RKLE
Location: Louisiana Amite

Post by bayoubengal »

I think you have misunderstood my post. I'm not concerned how much the 5er weighs, my truck can handle a much larger and heavier 5er. Our concern is that the cargo capacity is only 1840#'s. The 30RK and 31RK are the only Cardinal units with such a low carrying capacity. All other units range from 2580 to 3780#'s.
Vince & Kim
2011 Silverado 3500HD LTZ, SRW, D/A, Extended Cab, LB
2008 31RKLE
Nights Camped:
'02--74 '06--122 '10--24
'03--59 '07--47 '11--44
'04--83 '08--98 '12--76
'05--99 '09--84
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