Went to the scales today and I'm confused about a couple of measurements.
Tow vehicle loaded for camping with WDH attached;
Front axle: 3120
Rear axle: 2580
Total: 5700
Went back with trailer hitched and got the following;
Front axle: 2980
Rear axle: 3600
Total: 6580
The difference between the rear axle weights would make me think my tongue weight is 1020. That seems high since the dry tongue weight is listed at 680 lbs. if I compare the total weight of the TV with the trailer hitched and unhitched the difference is 880 lbs. That is closer to what I expected since we don't have anything in the trailer yet. 880 versus 1020 could be attributed to the weight of the propane, battery, and other add-ons that the dealer installed. Can anyone help me understand the difference? I'm wondering if the WDH is set up incorrectly since I have more weight on the front axle without the trailer hitched.
The difference between 6580 and 5700 is not 1020, but 880 pounds. Your problem is you bought based on fictious numbers. No RV will ever weigh what they claim the dry number is. All you should care about is how much you scale when fully loaded ready to camp. And is that number under your tow vehicles specs.
I understand that. I said the difference in my rear axle weights was 1020; (3600-2580). And I didn't buy based on the "sticker" weights. I bought based on features and price. While I'm within specs on all weights, I'm just trying to reconcile the difference between 1020 and 880 since both should be the tongue weight.
Its my understanding tongue weight should be about 10% of the total trailer weight. I don't think you'll find your rear axle weight follow the tongue weight exactly. Your WD hitch should be transferring some of the trailer weight off of the rear axle.
The 140lb difference is coming off the front axle. You need a little more weight distribution to transfer it back. Keep in mind that your actual tongue weight is more than 880lbs because the WDH will transfer some of that weight to the trailer axles. Somewhere between 15-25% is common. So you really are probably at 1000lbs.
Couple of things, First find your yellow sticker (on a cabinet door someplace in the camper) that is the actual weight of the camper as built. Then depending on options add whatever the dealer put on (in the dealer added the battery, spare, etc) to that number. Now you at least have a real starting point to estimate from and determine if the numbers are making sense.
Next, by definition a WDH is supposed to distribute part of the load to the front axle, so something is either not right with your setup or the scale. The weight on the front axle should be higher with the TT hooked up.
Which WDH do you have? Have you measured TV drop with and without the TT hooked up?
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2019 Chevy 3500 4x4 Crew Duramax
2021 Wolf Pack Toy Hauler 2019 Street Glide
2023 Road Glide ST
I am sorry, but I can't tell you a whole lot from what you posted.
The actual camper wheel weight is critical to the calculations. There should be three axle weights Front; Rear; and camper.
Also are the "hitched" weight of the tow vehicle with or without the WD bars installed? I suspect it is without bars since the nose weight is less than the unhitched weight.
IF, and it is a BIG if, your WD bars are not connected, then your tongue weight is (the sum of the two TV axles hitched) minus (the sum of the two TV axles unhitched) or 6580 - 5700 = 880 pounds
If your WD bars WERE on, there is no way to calculate the tongue weight because some of it would be carried on the camper's axles.
As stated by Donn, DRY weight means nothing and is a meaningless number even on the brochure. The yellow "as built" weight is the true starting point. Actual loaded weight means everything.
It would be nice to know what the camper weighed so we can calculate whether you are safely loaded.
The actual tongue weight should be between 10% and 15% of your actual gross trailer weight for safe towing characteristics.
__________________
Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
I'm planning to check my weights and distribution in the next week. I suspect that I'm close but hopefully not too close to my limits. What weight measurements should I take on the scale and how do you calculate the critical numbers? I want to have at least a 10% safety factor or I'll be looking to upgrade my TV.
I'll be taking the truck and trailer to a local truck stop certified scale. Is there anything I should know before hand?
The 140lb difference is coming off the front axle. You need a little more weight distribution to transfer it back. Keep in mind that your actual tongue weight is more than 880lbs because the WDH will transfer some of that weight to the trailer axles. Somewhere between 15-25% is common. So you really are probably at 1000lbs.
Thanks for your response. I suspected that based on the different weights but wasn't sure.
Couple of things, First find your yellow sticker (on a cabinet door someplace in the camper) that is the actual weight of the camper as built. Then depending on options add whatever the dealer put on (in the dealer added the battery, spare, etc) to that number. Now you at least have a real starting point to estimate from and determine if the numbers are making sense.
Next, by definition a WDH is supposed to distribute part of the load to the front axle, so something is either not right with your setup or the scale. The weight on the front axle should be higher with the TT hooked up.
Which WDH do you have? Have you measured TV drop with and without the TT hooked up?
I have the Equalizer. I haven't measured that yet. That was going to be my next step depending on everyone's feedback.
I am sorry, but I can't tell you a whole lot from what you posted.
The actual camper wheel weight is critical to the calculations. There should be three axle weights Front; Rear; and camper.
Also are the "hitched" weight of the tow vehicle with or without the WD bars installed? I suspect it is without bars since the nose weight is less than the unhitched weight.
IF, and it is a BIG if, your WD bars are not connected, then your tongue weight is (the sum of the two TV axles hitched) minus (the sum of the two TV axles unhitched) or 6580 - 5700 = 880 pounds
If your WD bars WERE on, there is no way to calculate the tongue weight because some of it would be carried on the camper's axles.
As stated by Donn, DRY weight means nothing and is a meaningless number even on the brochure. The yellow "as built" weight is the true starting point. Actual loaded weight means everything.
It would be nice to know what the camper weighed so we can calculate whether you are safely loaded.
The actual tongue weight should be between 10% and 15% of your actual gross trailer weight for safe towing characteristics.
I measured the hitched weight with the WD bars installed. I didn't weigh the camper by itself. Hitched it weighed 6100 lbs. Besides the GVW of both the TV and trailer, I wanted to make sure my rear axle weight was within specs with the trailer hitched.
I'll be taking the truck and trailer to a local truck stop certified scale. Is there anything I should know before hand?
There is a thread here that explains it all, but it is faster to re-type it. I will also post some reading material.
It is very important to have the camper loaded as you would be driving it camping. I do my weights on the Wednesday prior to our departure on a Friday for example. Family in the car; full tank of gas; propane topped off; food and beer in the fridge; clothes in the drawers.
1) Hook up with the WD bars installed and drive to the scale.
2) Tell the operator you will want 2 weighs and then drop the camper and get a reweigh. (total of 3)
3) Put the front axle on the first platform (get out and check that it is totally on the first platform as it is the narrowest of the scales) and get out and look to make sure BOTH of your campers axles are on their own plate and your rear axle is on the second plate.
4) Get back in and wave to the operator (or press the button) to get your first weigh.
5) Get back out and REMOVE your WD bars and put them in the truck. Wave to the operator again (or press the button) to get your second weigh.
6) Drive off the scales and go to a safe place (there should be plenty of parking around the scales and DROP your camper.
7) Drive back on the scales and put the truck in exactly the same place (front tires on the first plate; rear tires on the second). Wave to the operator (or press the button) to get your final weigh.
Drive off; hook back up; pay the man for a weigh and two "re-weighs"; bring the weight slips back here and we can look at the numbers and give you the score.
5th wheels only need two weighs - hitched and unhitched.
__________________
Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
How would you recommend weighing tv and tt on a 100 foot long commercial scale?
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Moose Jaw Saskatchewan
2012 Surveyor 305 B-309
2010 F-150 4x4 supercrew Lariat 5.4 3.55 ratio
Power moon roof and back window
TV GVW without me 1/4 tank 5870 lbs
Days camping 20011-4 2012-26 2013-29
Thanks, Herk. I didn't know there are supposed to be multiple plates. I'll stop by the scales this weekend to check that they do. I'll be getting my weights on the 17th or 18th so I'll check back then.
I measured the hitched weight with the WD bars installed. I didn't weigh the camper by itself. Hitched it weighed 6100 lbs. Besides the GVW of both the TV and trailer, I wanted to make sure my rear axle weight was within specs with the trailer hitched.
If your WD bars were installed there is a problem with your hitch setup.
Your front axle is lighter with the WD bars in place. This is exactly incorrect. The WD bars are supposed to "distribute" a portion of the tongue load ONTO the front axle; not remove it.
__________________
Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
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