2509s Tongue Weight

[s1njin]

Hey Guys,

For those of you that own the above, can you sound off w/ your trailer weight and corresponding tongue weights? I'm very interested to see what the average tongue weight percentage is.

I want to make sure my truck won't run out of payload if I decide to stretch for this model over a Roo.

Thanks much.

[67L48]

With the 2509S, there isn't that much CCC, so it's prudent to assume you'll be at the GVWR of the trailer = 6,800 lbs.

Proper loading will place no less than 10% onto the hitch and no more than 15%. Therefore, the range of weight onto the hitch will be 680 - 1,020 lbs. I would budget around 850-900 lbs onto your hitch.

2509S is a bunkhouse, so I'll assume 2 kids. That's 350 lbs for the parents and 150 for two kids = 500 lbs. Add 50 lbs of WDH and 150 of other gear, wood, and anything else in the bed.

So, to tow a 2509S, you'll want a truck with at least 1,600 lbs of payload. I have the same trailer weight, but 3 kids, I carry lots of wood, and a couple of bikes. I landed in the 1,800 - 1,900 range for the optimal payload for my needs.

Good luck.

[s1njin]

Yep, I had already figured worst case scenario based on the math you have above. My truck has 1797 (basically 1800 yah I know) pounds of payload w/ the Max Tow heavier duty rear axle.

I just don't want to consider this trailer heavily, have my family fall in love with it, and then screw myself on the pull home. I figure if most folks end up around the 12%-13% tongue that buys some pounds back.

[ependydad]

Based on the dry weight, it has a designed-in tongue weight percentage of 13.4%. Given that the layout and storage, that's likely to stay pretty consistent unless you start adding extra batteries to the tongue.

With a loaded weight of 6800 lbs., that'll give you a realistic 911 lbs. of tongue weight.

Here's the calculator I used to figure that out:
Estimating Tongue/Pin Weight from Dry Weights - Towing Planner

[s1njin]

Running max trailer GVWR and max 15% tongue I estimate about 200 pounds of payload left in the truck. I don't know if that's smart or not - I like to have a cushion w/ most things I do but maybe its fine.

Wheelbase wise at 145", they say the the first 110" gets you a 20' trailer and you get another 1' of trailer for every 4" of wheelbase. So my truck should be okay up to around ~29' or so. I have no intention at all whatsoever going that long, but the 2509s is 26'. Right about the limit for my 'cushion' factor.

[pilotpip]

Before I put anything in mine, with full propane tanks and 2 batteries I was already at 700lbs on a Sherline. These things are tongue heavy. On the up side there isn't a ton of space in the pass through. My truck's payload is 1675 and my kids are small so they don't have a ton of stuff (except the car seats adding weight) and With the cooler and a couple lawn chairs in the bed along with my tool box I'm guessing we are 200lbs under payload with my stuff in the passthrough bringing the tongue weight into the 900lb range.

The cat scale at the truck stop by my house just reopened and I plan on going over them this weekend.

[s1njin]

Originally Posted by pilotpip

Before I put anything in mine, with full propane tanks and 2 batteries I was already at 700lbs on a Sherline. These things are tongue heavy. On the up side there isn't a ton of space in the pass through. My truck's payload is 1675 and my kids are small so they don't have a ton of stuff (except the car seats adding weight) and With the cooler and a couple lawn chairs in the bed along with my tool box I'm guessing we are 200lbs under payload with my stuff in the passthrough bringing the tongue weight into the 900lb range.

The cat scale at the truck stop by my house just reopened and I plan on going over them this weekend.

2 batteries? They come standard w/ 1 right? I guess you boondock?

Why not put the cooler in the back of the trailer where the bottom bed folds up? This would lessen the tongue load and some of the truck payload?

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by s1njin

2 batteries? They come standard w/ 1 right? I guess you boondock?

Why not put the cooler in the back of the trailer where the bottom bed folds up? This would lessen the tongue load and some of the truck payload?

Towable batteries are a DEALER-installed item, not factory.
Most dealers will install a single cheap 12v dual purpose marine battery. If you want two batteries or a pair of 6v golf cart batteries, you have to negotiate during the buying process.

[s1njin]

Originally Posted by bikendan

Towable batteries are a DEALER-installed item, not factory.
Most dealers will install a single cheap 12v dual purpose marine battery. If you want two batteries or a pair of 6v golf cart batteries, you have to negotiate during the buying process.

Rephrase - “It’s standard they come with 1 right?”

I know that part is on the dealer.

[s1njin]

Originally Posted by pilotpip

Before I put anything in mine, with full propane tanks and 2 batteries I was already at 700lbs on a Sherline. These things are tongue heavy. On the up side there isn't a ton of space in the pass through. My truck's payload is 1675 and my kids are small so they don't have a ton of stuff (except the car seats adding weight) and With the cooler and a couple lawn chairs in the bed along with my tool box I'm guessing we are 200lbs under payload with my stuff in the passthrough bringing the tongue weight into the 900lb range.

The cat scale at the truck stop by my house just reopened and I plan on going over them this weekend.

If you weigh it please post how you made out.

[apezz]

When I got my 2020 2509S home from the dealer with two full propane tanks and one battery up front it weighed in at 700lbs as advertised.
We just started to put all of our stuff inside and will be taking our first trip next weekend. I plan to weight it again before we leave. Like others has mentioned there’s not much weight you can add to the front so I would be surprised if I’m only 150lbs heavier.

[Chuck_S]

10% - 15% of total trailer weight must be on the tongue for safe towing. From published weights of this trailer (5300 empty + 1569 cargo capacity = 6869 GW) that's somewhere in the range from 690 to 1030 pounds. That 15% number is more than the 920 pound coupler rating my '17 Expedition can handle with a WDH.

What is our vehicle rated to handle? Assuming you're loaded to the max, and it's hard to stay under max, you gotta keep it more than 690 but less than your capacity.

-- Chuck

[s1njin]

1320 with WDH. A max tow F150 comes with a beefier rear end.

[Chuck_S]

Good to go. Just keep in mind the tongue weight comes off the truck's cargo capacity. I'm limited to about 1450 pounds in the truck (and ball).

-- Chuck

[apezz]

Are you referring to exceeding the rating of your tow vehicles hitch? The coupler is attached to your trailer.

[Chuck_S]

Receiver, not coupler. Thanks for having my back.

-- Chuck