Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 10-30-2017, 07:12 PM   #1
KnP
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 449
Balancing the Load

I am wondering... on my TT the black water tank sits on the rear. Will be no harm to the trailer holding tank brackets/straps to add water as a mean of ballast? Just to keep with the 10%~12% nose heavy weigh.

I know a Gallon of Water weights about 8 Lbs. Totaly understand, by swiching the items inside the TT will do the desired effect but that is not always possible.

Towing the extra weight is no much of a concern to me. The Tow Vehicle can handle it. What matters to me is the weight distribution.

Tips or suggestions are welcome, thanks in advance.
KnP is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-31-2017, 03:22 PM   #2
Sham183
 
mopwr4me2003's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 626
I did it with my TT where o filled up the fresh water tank with some water to give me a little more tongue weight cause my TT was pretty much empty and I felt a little more weight on the tongue wouldn’t be a bad thing. I was really close with the empty TT to the 10% mark. I don’t see a issue with it the TT are designed to hold that water. The only downfall depending on your tank size and how much you put in you may feel the water moving around but not sure. Good luck.

Tim
mopwr4me2003 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-31-2017, 03:58 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Portage wi
Posts: 668
Our fresh water tank sits right over the axles and we find the tt tows better with a full tank of water
__________________
2011 gray wolf 25rb
Jmkjr72 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-31-2017, 04:43 PM   #4
KnP
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 449
The thing is... have not weighed the TT yet but according to specs, the tongue weigh is 516 Lbs. Assuming the TT dry weigh is correct from the placard, that puts me on 13% and some change. Adding the tools and trinkets on the fwd storage area, that might add another 100 Lbs towards the nose. After loading with some gear (fwd inside storage) that might increase another 100 lbs. I am thinking that will add more to the nose exceeding the 15% or more on weigh distribution.

So... if I add some fresh water on the Black Water Tank as a ballast, I can adjust the weight.

My concern is by adding weight (weight) on the tank, the support might fail during travel. Is capable of holding 30 gallons, as a rough estimate, 1 gallon is about 8 lbs. Since the tank sits on the rear, might bring the correct balance. My target is the 10%

My concern is by adding weight (weight) on the tank, the support might fail during travel. Will be fine even if the tank is full, is not going to fall off?
__________________
2016 Rockwood 2306
2016 Chevy Colorado Z82 / 2009 Pontiac G8 GT
KnP is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-31-2017, 04:48 PM   #5
Sham183
 
mopwr4me2003's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 626
Balancing the Load

First thing first. Weigh the unit! Get all weights loaded like you were heading out. The number on the tag for tongue weight is most likely wrong by a lot. Get the tongue weight this way you know for sure and are not guessing. You can make a cheap homemade tongue weight scale for about $10-15. It is not 100% but it gives you a very close idea to where your weight is instead of guessing. You might even be over for your hitch setup.

As far as the tank falling off from being full, I don’t think you have a issue to worry about unless you are going over pothole filled roads or extremely bumpy terrain. The unit is designed to travel with fluids in it. Although your ride may be a little off from it I would think you’re ok.

Tim
mopwr4me2003 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-31-2017, 05:59 PM   #6
KnP
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 449
I was thinking on the same thing. Yes, I do have a scale to weight the tongue. I want to weigh the whole thing with the essencial (ie tools, equipement) that stays permanent in the TT as a baseline. Later, all the extra things, I have a scale that I can use.

Again, my concern is not much how much it weight in total (my truck/car can pull it), is the distribution that I am more concerned and if I can use the Black Water Tank as a ballast.

Thanks for the imput :-)
__________________
2016 Rockwood 2306
2016 Chevy Colorado Z82 / 2009 Pontiac G8 GT
KnP is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-31-2017, 06:30 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
Bluepill's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Pensacola, FL
Posts: 1,645
On at least some (possibly most) FR trailers, the weight of the LP tanks and batteries are not included on the tag. If those items are on the tongue, you can have an added weight of 110 lbs for two tanks and one battery. A scale is a must.
__________________
2019 Coachmen Freedom Express 192RBS
2015 T12RBST Flagstaff Hardside

Disclaimer: The actual value of my "Two Cents" of advice varies just like a bitcoin.
Bluepill is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-31-2017, 06:31 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
rsdata's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Northern KY
Posts: 5,724
KnP

the tongue weight can be heavier than 10-15%, just not lighter... 10-15% is a target weight for packing purposes...

no reason to add weight behind the axles to lighten the tongue load unless you have to do that to reduce the tongue weight because your tow vehicle will not handle it... you said your TV could handle the extra weight of the water to add total weight, so am going to say that adding water to the black tank is really not necessary...
__________________
"nothing can now be believed which is seen in a newspaper. Truth itself becomes suspicious by being put into that polluted vehicle."
Thomas Jefferson to John Norvell pg. 2, June 11, 1807

2014 Shamrock 183
2014 RAM 1500 Bighorn Crew Cab, HEMI, 3.21 gears, 8 Spd, 4X4 TST TPMS
rsdata is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-31-2017, 06:59 PM   #9
KnP
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 449
I figure 140 Lbs + since it has 2, 30 Lb tanks plus battery.


Perhaps I am over thinking this. :-D
__________________
2016 Rockwood 2306
2016 Chevy Colorado Z82 / 2009 Pontiac G8 GT
KnP is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-01-2017, 09:23 AM   #10
Sham183
 
mopwr4me2003's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 626
Quote:
Originally Posted by KnP View Post
I figure 140 Lbs + since it has 2, 30 Lb tanks plus battery.


Perhaps I am over thinking this. :-D


As long as you are at the 10-15% mark for tongue weight your fine. Main thing like stated in the previous post is to be at or over you 10% mark.
mopwr4me2003 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-01-2017, 09:43 AM   #11
Senior Member
 
rp53's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Jonesborough
Posts: 923
Quote:
Originally Posted by mopwr4me2003 View Post
First thing first. Weigh the unit! Get all weights loaded like you were heading out. The number on the tag for tongue weight is most likely wrong by a lot. Get the tongue weight this way you know for sure and are not guessing. You can make a cheap homemade tongue weight scale for about $10-15. It is not 100% but it gives you a very close idea to where your weight is instead of guessing. You might even be over for your hitch setup.

As far as the tank falling off from being full, I don’t think you have a issue to worry about unless you are going over pothole filled roads or extremely bumpy terrain. The unit is designed to travel with fluids in it. Although your ride may be a little off from it I would think you’re ok.

Tim
how do you make that scale ?
__________________
2017 Micro Lite 21FBRS (sold)
2019 GMC Sierra 2500 HD extra cab Z71
looking for the perfect 5er over the winter
rp53 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-01-2017, 09:45 AM   #12
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 1,834
Unless the TV can't handle it, what's wrong with "too much" tongue weight? I've towed a lot of sh.....stuff, and things tow great with *lots* of tongue weight. Semis do it.....
aeblank is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-01-2017, 10:09 AM   #13
KnP
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 449
Quote:
Originally Posted by rp53 View Post
how do you make that scale ?
Easy Breezie.... I bought it ;-)



When it comes to tools and doing the job right, I buy good tools or outsource the work to someone that really knows and have the tools.
KnP is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-01-2017, 10:29 AM   #14
Senior Member
 
rp53's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Jonesborough
Posts: 923
Quote:
Originally Posted by KnP View Post
Easy Breezie.... I bought it ;-)



When it comes to tools and doing the job right, I buy good tools or outsource the work to someone that really knows and have the tools.
that's nice but i find it hard to justify $140 + for something i will use once or twice and where i live i doubt i would be able to resale
__________________
2017 Micro Lite 21FBRS (sold)
2019 GMC Sierra 2500 HD extra cab Z71
looking for the perfect 5er over the winter
rp53 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-01-2017, 10:30 AM   #15
Sham183
 
mopwr4me2003's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 626
Quote:
Originally Posted by rp53 View Post
how do you make that scale ?


Google home made tongue weight scale. Basically you use 2x4, home scale, couple pipes and brick or block. Pretty simple and cheap around $15. Or just buy one for around $150.

Tim
mopwr4me2003 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-01-2017, 10:48 AM   #16
KnP
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 449
I use it for other things too. So is fine with me. Yes is pricey, that cannot be denied.
KnP is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Forest River, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:33 AM.