Weight Issue

[MtnGuy]

Originally Posted by herk7769

One single platform?
No way to do it.

There is a way to calculate all of your weights on a single platform scale.

Weigh just the front axle of the tow vehicle.....just put the front axle on the scale, and nothing else.

Weight the tow vehicle with just those 2 axles on the scales.

Weigh the total of everything will all axles on the scale.

Pull the tow vehicle off of the scales, and just weigh the trailer axles.

Do that with just the tow vehicle, then the tow vehicle with the trailer without the spring bars in place, and then do it all over again with the spring bars in place. You will have to do a little calculating, but you can get the same figures as the mulitply platform scale.

[sellis1053]

Originally Posted by herk7769

One single platform?
No way to do it.

CAT scales have many platforms so you can place an axle on each.
Find one near you.

CAT Scale

Why can't it be done on a single scale? Fully loaded and hitched, drive front axle onto scale and take measurement. Drive your TV completely onto scale and take second measurement. To get rear axle weight, subtract front axle weight from total. Then drive TV off the scale, leaving trailer on the scale and take third measurement. If you need individual axle weights you can then pull front trailer axle off, leaving rear trailer axle on the scale and take fourth measurement.

[itat]

Originally Posted by herk7769

Awesome. Print out my post and take it with you when you go.
That way you won't forget a weigh when the big rigs are in line.

Do NOT let them rush you. You are paying for the scale just like they are and for the same reason. You want to be legal and safe.

Thanks again, Herk.

The CAT website has a great explanation and pictures, too.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by sellis1053

Why can't it be done on a single scale? Fully loaded and hitched, drive front axle onto scale and take measurement. Drive your TV completely onto scale and take second measurement. To get rear axle weight, subtract front axle weight from total. Then drive TV off the scale, leaving trailer on the scale and take third measurement. If you need individual axle weights you can then pull front trailer axle off, leaving rear trailer axle on the scale and take fourth measurement.

As mtnguy and you both stated it can be done. You now will need 8 weighs to do it (3, 3, and 2), and lots more time for the calculations.

If you can get that much time on the scale and the weighs are free, I say go for it.

[sellis1053]

Originally Posted by camper_Lucy

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 went and took some measurements today and discovered the following. The Equalizer manual states that the sway bracket assembly should be positioned 27 to 32 inches back from the center of the receiver, with 32 being optimum. Mine was set back approximately 27 and 1/2 inches. Does anyone know what moving it back to 32 inches would do to the weight distribution? All of the measurements are within specs, but the front axle was not compressed as much as the rear when the spring arms were attached.

[Triguy]

My understanding is that Progress mfg recommends 32" unless you cannot do that for some reason. Than you can move it forward (up to 27"). It seems to me you should be at 32" if it fits.

I'd really have to think about the physics involved for a reason why this is and if it would lower the front. I know that 32" is supposed to be a more comfortable ride and put less stress on the trailer and hitch.

[MtnGuy]

Originally Posted by sellis1053

Does anyone know what moving it back to 32 inches would do to the weight distribution?

Think about it this way. You are not using close to 5" of your spring bar. I would think that the recommended 32" would give you a better ride because you will then be using more of the spring bar. But you might have to readjust your hitch to accommodate that extra flex.

[Triguy]

Okay - I admit that mechanical engineering is beyond me

So I called Progress and their tech said that the distribution effect at 27" or 32" would be the same. They are good normally, but he was not able to explain to me why that is. I guess you need to experiment and post back to let us know.

But, he said that 32" will help with sway control compared to 27". The longer arms have a greater chance to work against sway and they cause less stress to the brackets.

[sellis1053]

Originally Posted by Triguy

Okay - I admit that mechanical engineering is beyond me

So I called Progress and their tech said that the distribution effect at 27" or 32" would be the same. They are good normally, but he was not able to explain to me why that is. I guess you need to experiment and post back to let us know.

But, he said that 32" will help with sway control compared to 27". The longer arms have a greater chance to work against sway and they cause less stress to the brackets.

Thanks for the info. I also just posted on another thread that my link plates for the L bracket may be upside down. I can't picture which style coupler I have. I'll have to go back out and look at it. Do you have any idea why the difference in assembly based on coupler type? The way it is I don't have any adjustment left. I need to raise the L bracket up one hole to see if it lowers the front of my TV. With it installed the way it is, it's as high as it will go.

[Triguy]

Sellis,
I really don't know why they do it except what Herk posted in the other thread sounds as good of an explanation as any.

I saw your other post but lets keep it here in your thread. First, I think you should post pics so we can look at the setup.

Definitely verify that you have the correct L-bracket setup for your coupler style.

Assuming the L brackets are setup correctly, I would start over with the manual checking off the list that starts on page 24. I really would.

The problem with the front end could be a number of things:

Not enough spacers.
L-bracket too low.
Incorrect hitch ball height (Maybe wrong shank).

By the way, what trailer and vehicle do you have? (Shameless plug to put info in sig line). Others with that model might be able to offer their personal experience.

[itat]

Originally Posted by itat

Thanks again, Herk.

The CAT website has a great explanation and pictures, too.

OK, Herk. Here are my actual weights from the scale.

My GVWR is 5,450 lbs.
Max. tongue weight allowed is 650 lbs.
My GCWR is 11,100 lbs.

Let me know what you think.

Thanks!

[bikendan]

itat, it seems to me that the WDH needs to transfer more to the steering axle.

just another opinion. as a 23SS owner, i hate to tell you but your 23SS hitch weight, loaded for camping, will surely exceed that 650 number for the Tacoma.

here's a pic from one of the longtime 23SS owner, who's famous for pics of everything on his 23SS.



and his 23SS is 7'6" wide, like mine, not 8' wide like yours. therefore yours will be heavier.
and i believe this tongue weight is without water and cargo.
so, for a 23SS that's 6" narrower and no water/cargo, his tongue weight is already 645lbs.

that's the problem with v-6 trucks/SUVs and why i didn't buy one to tow my 23SS. limited tongue weight.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by itat

OK, Herk. Here are my actual weights from the scale.

My GVWR is 5,450 lbs.
Max. tongue weight allowed is 650 lbs.
My GCWR is 11,100 lbs.

Let me know what you think.

Thanks!

Tired after driving home. I just deleted a long post by accident before I finished it.

I am starting over.

OK, Here's how I figured it:
Truck max weight - 5450
Truck unhitched - 4920
Truck hitched no WD - (2480+3000) 5480 - 30 pounds overweight
Truck hitched WD - (2520 +2910) 5440 - 10 pounds under max

Camper Weight - 10,160 - 4920 = 5240
Camper GVWR - 5979 Load available (5979 - 5240) = 739 pounds

Max tongue load 650 pounds
Actual tongue load - 5480 - 4920 = 560 pounds
Load ratio - 560 / 5240 * 100 = 10.7%

So every 100 pounds more you put in the camper with your set up you will add 10.7 pounds to the tongue.

While you could add more weight to the camper, if you do you will need to make sure it does not subtract from the tongue load. You don't want a lighter tongue than you currently have.

A heavier tongue would be desirable, but you are already at your trucks maximum weight.

IMHO

Your combined weight is just fine.
Loaded as you currently are you are just fine.
Don't mess with anything you could make it worse instead of better.

[itat]

Thanks for your help guys.

Bikendan, I suppose my WD hitch could put more weight to the front axle but it sits pretty level as its set now.

Herk, my yellow sticker says my trailer's GVWR is 6322 lbs so as I'm currently loaded I could put another 1082 lbs. of cargo in it, but frankly its more than heavy enough now for my Tacoma. Coming home today up a long grade I had no power to accelerate although the Equal-i-zer did a great job keeping it stable back there.

My weights were of course with all 3 tanks empty so as soon as I load up with water (with the FW tank located up front) it looks like I'm over my Tacoma's GVWR.

I was going to invest in some Air Lift air bags if the weights were better but I think I'd be better off upgrading to a full size truck since the air bags don't do anthing to improve my truck's GVWR or payload.

I bought the Tacoma a couple years ago thinking we would be getting a smaller trailer but we fell in love with the 23SS floorplan and decided to see how it went and upgrade the truck if need be.

I can live with this setup for now but I'll be keeping my eye out for a deal on a bigger tow vehicle. Definitely by next year. Particularly since with my current setup, my limited payload means I need a 2nd vehicle to transport 4 of our party of 6 passengers.

[Herk7769]

I just pulled the GVWR on the camper off a dealer's web site.
Your numbers off the camper are the one's to go by.

You are correct. The camper can carry more; but your truck won't be able to carry its share of that load.