tongue WEIGHT

[avolnek]

Well like the title suggest I am in the process of creating a trailer tongue WEIGHT!

I have a 2013 surveyor SV305. It is 37' long, weighing roughly 9,000 pounds when fully loaded. When loaded I have calculated I am right at the 900 pound mark for tongue weight on this trailer. Throughout the last year the trailer had a tendency to want to wiggle when at 65 mph. It also like to buck up and down on certain stretches of road.

I did some testing with different positions with the weight distribution hitch as well as tried different air pressures in the tow vehicle tires and camper tires with little success. I finally decided to throw some water jugs, with nearly 100 pounds of water on the tongue for one of my last rides home and holy cow the trailer pulled MUCH nicer...

I pull this trailer with a 2006 dodge ram 2500 cummins quad cab short box. I have installed air bags as well as a hellwig rear sway bar.

Attached are a couple of pictures of the bare tongue of my trailer. The spare tire was actually hanging off the back bumper originally but I relocated it to the tongue to help with tongue weight, and it did help some.

I have had my work laser cut me a 1/2" steel plate weighing in at 140 pounds to match the tongue of the trailer. I will be stitch welding this plate to the tongue. I have a tool box and propane tanks that will go back on the tongue and that is what the holes are for in the plate. I am also thinking of welding some brackets to allow me to pin a rack of some sort in to give me more cargo space for wood or anything of the nature... that is still in the thinking process!

[OldCoot]

Sounds and looks like you're on the right path.

[avolnek]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

Sounds and looks like you're on the right path.

One of the few I was hoping to reply!

Any other suggestions? am I stupid for doing this? I am aware the warranty will be voided, but I voided that moments after leaving the lot...

[OldCoot]

I think you have it covered quite well. I would do the same.

[Flagstaffer06]

Yes, looks like you are on the right path. There are a few folks who placed a pickup truck diamond plated toolbox up front. It would certainly add tongue weight and give you ability to store some items.

[EricInColorado]

Could you bolt it on, so that you could pull it off if needed? Weld is so darn.....hard to reverse.

[avolnek]

Originally Posted by EricInColorado

Could you bolt it on, so that you could pull it off if needed? Weld is so darn.....hard to reverse.

still contemplating this...

to weld it i have to hook it to my truck and pull the truck forward into the garage so my welder can get close enough to weld it...

bolting it would require some rather long bolts thought to pass through the frame like I would like it to.

still up in the air with this... Both are feasible...

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by avolnek

still contemplating this...

to weld it i have to hook it to my truck and pull the truck forward into the garage so my welder can get close enough to weld it...:

I'll loan you my 50' extension cord that we use on our mig welder.

p.s. But you have to pay shipping both ways and promise not to use UPS.

[avolnek]

gimme 8 hours on the road and I'll be there to take ya up on that!

[dieselbobcat]

You could add a pair or two of trojan 6V batteries and pickup a quick 150lbs per pair and gain the ability to go without electric hookups for a days at a time...

[kz08h5]

You don't have things stored behind the trailer axles you could move in front of the axles? I move anything I can forward of the axles to get my tongue weight up. I shoot for 15%. That 10% figure everyone advertises results in the problem you are experiencing. I also don't travel with anything in the tanks behind the trailer axles.

[avolnek]

Originally Posted by kz08h5

You don't have things stored behind the trailer axles you could move in front of the axles? I move anything I can forward of the axles to get my tongue weight up. I shoot for 15%. That 10% figure everyone advertises results in the problem you are experiencing. I also don't travel with anything in the tanks behind the trailer axles.

Not really... All my storage is up front and nothing but blankets in back bedroom. I had actually stopped loading the rear fridge with drinks and putting them under the front bed with minimal results. Adding water to fresh, gray or black tanks didn't do much either...

My plan is to add this steel weight and maybe a second battery as well if I feel it is needed... Would like to be able to load my beer fridge down heavy!!!

[campingwilliamsons]

Could you weld in some L brackets or angle so you could use shorter bolts through the side of the frame. Again, then you can reverse it for the next guy (should there be a next guy...).

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by campingwilliamsons

Could you weld in some L brackets or angle so you could use shorter bolts through the side of the frame. Again, then you can reverse it for the next guy (should there be a next guy...).

With a cut off wheel on a 4"/4-1/2" grinder, skip welds are easy to cut.

[asquared]

Your goal should be a tongue weight of 13-15%. I have seen a huge difference just by moving a 20 lb tent from the back of the tt to the front. Looking at the floor plan, what do you have stored in the bunkhouse? Anything behind the axles off loads the tongue weight. Anything in front of the axles will be on the tongue weight. Just remember in your build designs, too much tongue weight can be a problem too. Another option for build designs is a tongue mounted bike rack. Good luck.

[SKnight]

I'll second, load that puppy down with batteries! I also do a good bit of primitive camping too, depends on your personal preferences.

[avolnek]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

With a cut off wheel on a 4"/4-1/2" grinder, skip welds are easy to cut.

That is my plan... quick and easy. Especially with how the frame is rounded on the corner where it will meet the plate there will be a nice void to fill with the weld, and like you said easy to cut... So my plan will be to stitch/skip weld as you mentioned.

Below are some pics of the plate just laying in position for now. It is in the garage drying from the numerous coats of paint from last night. Should be able to weld it on Saturday some time.



For those asking about shifting weight forward, I have a bunk house model and all that is rearward of my axles is the bunk house, and all that is stored in the bunk house is some towels and blankets, not enough to make a difference...

I do plan to add a second battery after my first trip or two out with just the plate installed.

I want to be able to load the rear kitchen, primarily the fridge, with whatever I want and not worry about it being too light on the tongue. I also tow a single jet ski behind with maybe 50 pounds of tongue weight...

Fairly confident the addition of the plate alone will be a major improvement!

[jgroff]

looks great!!

i would definitely stitch weld it. and why cut it off when you sell it. unfortunately you are sorting out the problem with your trailer and the next person who owns it will reap the benefit of you doing that

Originally Posted by avolnek

That is my plan... quick and easy. Especially with how the frame is rounded on the corner where it will meet the plate there will be a nice void to fill with the weld, and like you said easy to cut... So my plan will be to stitch/skip weld as you mentioned.

Below are some pics of the plate just laying in position for now. It is in the garage drying from the numerous coats of paint from last night. Should be able to weld it on Saturday some time.



For those asking about shifting weight forward, I have a bunk house model and all that is rearward of my axles is the bunk house, and all that is stored in the bunk house is some towels and blankets, not enough to make a difference...

I do plan to add a second battery after my first trip or two out with just the plate installed.

I want to be able to load the rear kitchen, primarily the fridge, with whatever I want and not worry about it being too light on the tongue. I also tow a single jet ski behind with maybe 50 pounds of tongue weight...

Fairly confident the addition of the plate alone will be a major improvement!

[SKnight]

Also, odds are it won't fit the next one. I almost cut my battery box off my TT when I traded it, but what would I do with it? The next owner can make use of it and when I need I'll build another one.

[avolnek]

I dont plan removing the weight when/if i sell the trailer. I dont plan to remove it at all honestly...

the thought behind removing was more or less if a modification needed to be made down the road or it flat out didn't work...