Hit the Cat Scale

[casflynn]

Here are my numbers from todays weigh, 17 Expedition, 19 Mini Lite 2508, Hensley Hitch:

Truck Specs, 3550 Steer, 4300 Drive, 7500 GVW, 15200 GCW

Trailer Specs, 5980 GVW, 4464 Dry, 660 Hitch dry

1) Truck Only, 3120 Steer, 3180 Drive, 6300 Gross

2) Truck, Trailer, bars loose, 2580 Steer, 4620 Drive, 7200 GVW, 4000 Trailer, 11200 Combined. Wow did the front get light, rear axle is 320 over.

3) Hensley 1000lb bars jacked all the way, 3080 Steer, 3940 Drive, 7020 GVW, 4180 Trailer, 11200 Combo. Tongue weight calculates to 900 pounds (this included the entire Hensley set up, 2 full 30lb propane, battery and stuff in front storage, Hensley stinger was weighted with the truck, so my best guess is true tongue weight is 700).

** Fender measurements went like this,
Truck 35-1/2 F 34-5/8 R
Combo no bars, 36-1/2, 32-3/8
Combo with bars, 35-1/2, 33-1/2

Impressions: Under all weights for the truck, but close on rear axle by 360lbs. Front fender come back to same, but Ford wants a 50% return????, and the weight almost all returns sans 40lbs. Should I back off the jacks? Trailer looks level, still some sag from rear of truck at 1-1/8". Tongue weight % is almost 18%. Would going to a straight stinger as oppose to a 2" drop maybe lighten the load, but then I think the trailer would be slightly nose up? I also still haven't packed all the kids crap in the back bunks.

Took out on I-80 today in PA to get to the scale, seemed to tow fine, was running 65 getting passed by dump trucks and semis, no sway, not a lot of porpoise at all, little squirm from the P rated tires and independent rear. But all in all a good tow.

Any Feedback would be appreciated!!!!

Thanks!

[wannabeowner]

I have a general, probably dumb, newbie question: how can the trailer weigh less than its dry weight when the WDH isn't hooked up? Is that normal?

[casflynn]

Tongue weight, gotta add the tongue weight to the trailer axle weight

[MillMitch]

I think your numbers look good, and would drive it some more before adjusting. Man those Expeditions are big
I put your TT at 4900#, combined of 11,200 less truck by itself of 6,300

[Chief T]

To get true numbers, you need your Expy and TT loaded as if you're going on a trip. That includes all the pax and stuff as well.

If you can't get the TT level, slightly nose down is better than slightly nose up.

Also make sure you add air to the tires as close to the max cold psi.

Safe and happy travels.

[Chuck_S]

Very nice job!

Can you post or forward the actual Excel sheet? I hate to reinvent the wheel and we have the same truck. I'm only showing 1418 pounds of cargo capacity vs your 1488. I have the HD Tow Package. You?

I noted you have less weight on the front axle than when empty meaning it's unloaded albeit slightly. You need more weight transfer ("more WDH"), not less, to push the front down. I'd try to push another 100 - 200 pounds or so to the front. This is where it gets very much trial and error as any change will also push weight to the trailer axles. Good luck, though, the Hensley hitch is a complete PITA to adjust and seems needlessly complicated. If you push more weight onto the front axle there will be less on the rear and consequently less sag. It's all a matter of distributing the weight.

Recommendation for safe towing is 10% to 15% of the trailer's weight on the ball.

Recommend everyone take advantage of the work done here and note there is more weight on the trailer axle when hooked up with the WDH than just sitting all alone. This is how it works.

-- Chuck

[casflynn]

Thanks chuck, to be more specific, I am slightly concerned that by returning back most of the weight to the front axle, I also returned most of its height change, which goes against what ford says. They state a 50% fender height return in the front.

Yes, HD tow, and whichever engineer said one of these things could tow 9200lbs is just plain nuts, I understand that number is stripped down with minimal tongue weight, but to other camper tow guys out there, I think 6000 ish loaded would be the max

[casflynn]

Try this, https://www.dropbox.com/s/och5g6y4ds...late.xlsx?dl=0

[lbrjet]

Your numbers look great. I would leave it alone.

[clarkbre]

casflynn:

Your numbers look great and I don't think I would change a thing. It's awesome to see that my spreadsheet was useful for you.

I recently traded the F150 for a F250 and have to rework the hitch and spreadsheet.

Safe travels.

[Boomerweps]

I'd try the next step on the bars. Push the front down a little and a little less drop on the rear of the TV. Essentially leveling the TV a little better.

[casflynn]

Originally Posted by clarkbre

casflynn:

Your numbers look great and I don't think I would change a thing. It's awesome to see that my spreadsheet was useful for you.

I recently traded the F150 for a F250 and have to rework the hitch and spreadsheet.

Safe travels.

Thanks for it, have found it a few different places, never was sure who came up with it, hats off to you

[Chuck_S]

Perfect is the enemy of good enough. And this setting is well within the later category.

-- Chuck