Went to the scales, how do my numbers look?

[Bilcin]

Just picked up my 2015 Palomino Puma 32DBKS yesterday. Went to the CAT scales today and wanted to share my numbers and would like any input as to whether they sound right?

First pass through the scales was with TV, Trailer WITH spring bars.
Steer Axle- 4160
Drive Axle- 4540
Trailer axles- 8160
Gross weight-16860

Second pass TV, Trailer WITHOUT spring bars:
Steer axle-3640
drive axle-5300
Trailer axles-7940
Gross weight- 16880

Third Pass TV only:
Steer Axle-4100
Drive Axle3-820
Gross weight-7920

So, my trailer was empty of any gear, just 2 30lb propane bottles and battery all on front of trailer.

If I am correct, I subtract Drive axle weight of 4540lbs from pass 1 from Drive axle weight of 5300Lbs from pass 2 which gives me 760 pounds, which is the hitch weight....correct?

I am using a Reese Draw-Tight WDH with 1200Lbs torsion bars. The specs for my trailer states dry hitch is 758lbs. I have 1 friction sway bar, I think I will need 2 as there was some swaying going on!

My GAWR Front axle is 4700
My GAWR Rear Axle is 5250

So guys, Am I good to go with this setup? Any comments would be appreciated!

The picture is from the CAT scales today. The setup looks level.
Thanks for your time.

[fonzie]

Hitch weights = Truck weight pass #2 - Truck weight empty as far as I'm concerned

So 8940 lbs - 7920 = 1020 lbs

[WolfWhistle]

Fonzie is right. You moved 760# off the drive axle with your WDH and had a TWR of a little over 11%.

[Bilcin]

Originally Posted by fonzie

Hitch weights = Truck weight pass #2 - Truck weight empty as far as I'm concerned

So 8940 lbs - 7920 = 1020 lbs

Ok, So I don't subtract The weight readings from the 1st pass with spring bar and second pass without spring bar?

Wow, was I wrong!!! Still under weight rating for my truck, or am I wrong about that also?

2005 Ford Excursion with 11,000 lbs max trailer weight, 1,100lbs hitch weight?????

[Bilcin]

Originally Posted by WolfWhistle

Fonzie is right. You moved 760# off the drive axle with your WDH and had a TWR of a little over 11%.

So by adjusting the WDH I should be able to take some weight off of the tongue and back onto the steer and trailer axles? I 1 free link in the WDH set up, by having 2 free links that would take weight off of the tongue or just the opposite?

Thank you

[Big Bill]

the nunbers look good to me, if you are still having sway try shortening chains 1 link ,re weigh, and test drive, if it doesn't make a difference have the truck checked out , even tho its new there could be a problem when loaded good luck

[Bilcin]

Originally Posted by Big Bill

the nunbers look good to me, if you are still having sway try shortening chains 1 link ,re weigh, and test drive, if it doesn't make a difference have the truck checked out , even tho its new there could be a problem when loaded good luck

What effect does changing the length of the chain. Shortening the chain puts more weight on the front TV axle and trailer?

[itat]

Here are your results:

[ependydad]

My site should help you with the math:
http://www.towingplanner.com

[spierce617]

Originally Posted by ependydad

My site should help you with the math:
Towing Planner - towing capability calculators

Wow. Very nice web site.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by spierce617

Wow. Very nice web site.

Thanks! It's mobile friendly, so it should help if you're actually at the scale and playing around.

[teddy]

You need to consider your TV GVWR. If thaat is above 8700, you are good.

Sent from my VS910 4G using Tapatalk 2

[Zolin]

Is it a rear loading toy hauler.?. Looks like you have a hitch wt around 1480 lbs unloaded based on your rear axle from pass 2 and 3. And that's considering no cargo in bed of truck behind rear axle. Your hitch rating was 1100 lbs so you may be over the capacity of your hitch tongue weight rating. Even distributing your load does not affect this weight rating on your hitch itself. At least from my own research. If it's a rear loading toy hauler then your tongue weight will be significantly less weight loaded. Otherwise, you have exceeded your hitch capacity with an unloaded trailer.

[Zolin]

Oops, I was just measuring rear axle only. Looks like pass 2 and 3 leaves you under your hitch rating.

Increasing tension in the spring bars will take weight off the rear axle of your truck and distribute more to the front axle and the axles of your trailer. Congrats on your purchase. You have an adequate tow vehicle. GAWR all are under. Go through again and weigh identically, but with fully loaded trailer, food, water heater, all passengers, full fuel and gear you intend to haul in your truck. That's the most important number! Sorry for first read....I was only comparing rear axle weights.

[Bilcin]

Originally Posted by Zolin

Oops, I was just measuring rear axle only. Looks like pass 2 and 3 leaves you under your hitch rating.

Increasing tension in the spring bars will take weight off the rear axle of your truck and distribute more to the front axle and the axles of your trailer. Congrats on your purchase. You have an adequate tow vehicle. GAWR all are under. Go through again and weigh identically, but with fully loaded trailer, food, water heater, all passengers, full fuel and gear you intend to haul in your truck. That's the most important number! Sorry for first read....I was only comparing rear axle weights.

Great, that is what I was looking for, will do just that! Thanks.

[Bilcin]

A many thanks to all the replies! Sharing knowledge and experience is what makes this site the best tool there is!!!!!

[WolfWhistle]

Originally Posted by itat

Here are your results:

Another Excel guy, I love it. Perfect.

Bilcin, based on standard WDH with chains (not all brands work the same); the more you bend or tension your load bars (the more chain lengths that "hang"), the more weight you distribute or move from the hitch; as well as off the drive axle; based on a ratio, part to the steer axle and part to the trailer axle pair. So, you are not only bringing the tail up, but the front end down. Based on TWR only, it looks about right. But, you didn't provide before and after measurements - front and back of the TV. You now know all you need to know about actual weight, now go by measurements only, IMO. If 11K# and 1100# is your limit you should be golden.

Typical WDH doesn't counter sway, only distribute weight, FYI.

So, if you haven't set up your hitch initially correctly, take a look at this Curt video. Their hardware might be slightly different, but the basics are the same.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkewkvU8Ot8

[frozen]

Help me understand why we'd be interested in the weight without spring bars in place. Since we don't tow without the spring bars, it seems that's an unimportant number in determining hitch weight. I've always weighed the tow vehicle alone, then hitch up with spring bars in place and weigh the tow vehicle again (trailer axles not on scale). The difference is the hitch weight.

[WolfWhistle]

Originally Posted by frozen

Help me understand why we'd be interested in the weight without spring bars in place. Since we don't tow without the spring bars, it seems that's an unimportant number in determining hitch weight. I've always weighed the tow vehicle alone, then hitch up with spring bars in place and weigh the tow vehicle again (trailer axles not on scale). The difference is the hitch weight.

You cannot know the TW with the bars in place. It redistributes weight from the hitch (drive axle) to front of the TV and trailer axle(s). So, with them in place you could have little or no TW if you over tension the bars, but would have no way to know how much was redistributed. The TW is still there only redistributed to the TV and trailer, we want to know how much. I see your point though. Weighing with WDH in place, will show you how well you set it all up, which tape measurements will do the same thing. It is level you are trying to achieve, while not over loading your equipment.

[Bilcin]

I am sorry, I am confused about how you determined the hitch weight.

If I were to go back to the scales with just my tow vehicle and weigh it once, front axle weighs 4000lbs and rear axle weighs 4000lbs. Now I weigh it again only this time I put a cargo basket that is attached to my hitch receiver and put 500lbs of rock in it. Now, wouldn't I simply subtract 1st pass from the 2nd pass to determine how much weight went to each axle?
Isn't this why we weigh with the spring bars and then without the spring boards????