First weighing, are the numbers good?

[obsom]

Hi everyone,

I just got back from the cat scales with measurements for the tow vehicle and camper with WDH attached. This is also my first post, I suppose it is appropriate it is about towing safely.

I'm trying to make sense of the measurements and while it seems in spec, a second set of eyes would be helpful.

Measurements were taken with gear similar to our typical trips and passengers and the WDH bars were engaged.

Vehicle & Camper:
Jeep Gladiator Sport S w/ Max Tow Package, Forest River E-Pro E19BH, Eaz lift recurve WDH rated for up to 600lbs max tongue

Vehicle specs:
Front Axle GAWR: 3100
Rear Axle GAWR: 3750
GVWR: 6500
GCWR: 12800



Weigh 1 (Jeep + Camper)
Steer axle: 2660
Rear axle: 2980
Trailer axle: 3380
Gross: 9020

Weigh 2 (Jeep)
Steer axle: 2760
Rear axle: 2440
Trailer axle: 0
Gross: 5200


Assuming I math'd correctly, all #s are under the specs, and the tongue weight is 11.5% / 440lbs.

How much work should the WDH be doing here, given that the steer axle is 100lbs less with the camper hooked up? Can the numbers get better? What is "ideal" in this setup?

Thanks

[Bob K4TAX]

Personally, I prefer to take the measured tongue weight, divide it by 2, and add that number to the steer axle and to the rear axle by adjusting the WDH settings. Just do not exceed the vehicle axle ratings at any point. I always run 12% to 15% GVRW of the trailer as the measured tongue weight.

After all, what does Weight Distribution Hitch stand for? Seems to me, that distributing the weight equally is logical.

Bob

[corn18]

Originally Posted by Bob K4TAX

Personally, I prefer to take the measured tongue weight, divide it by 2, and add that number to the steer axle and to the rear axle by adjusting the WDH settings. Just do not exceed the vehicle axle ratings at any point. I always run 12% to 15% GVRW of the trailer as the measured tongue weight.

After all, what does Weight Distribution Hitch stand for? Seems to me, that distributing the weight equally is logical.

Bob

Well, the WDH distributes the hitch weight to the front axle, rear axle AND the trailer axles.

[Bob K4TAX]

Originally Posted by corn18

Well, the WDH distributes the hitch weight to the front axle, rear axle AND the trailer axles.

With the trailer connected, the Jeep front axle is 100 lbs lighter than the Jeep with no trailer. Weight has been lifted off of the steering axle. The rear axle with the trailer connected is 540 lbs heavier than the rear axle with no trailer.

Appears to me the WDH needs to be adjusted to add at least 250 lbs +/- to the front axle.

Here is the calculator I use.
http://towingplanner.com/ActualWeigh...ailerCatScales

Bob

[01tundra]

Originally Posted by Bob K4TAX

With the trailer connected, the Jeep front axle is 100 lbs lighter than the Jeep with no trailer. Weight has been lifted off of the steering axle. The rear axle with the trailer connected is 540 lbs heavier than the rear axle with no trailer.

Appears to me the WDH needs to be adjusted to add at least 250 lbs +/- to the front axle.

Here is the calculator I use.
Actual Weights - Travel Trailer/Bumper Pull Weights from CAT Scales - TowingPlanner

Bob

You both are correct, I think Corn18's point is that the OP can't "calculate" actual trailer tongue weight from the numbers posted above, since a smaller amount of tongue weight is transferred back to the trailer axle(s) by the WD hitch.

A third reading with the trailer attached and without the WD engaged could be used to determine the TW, if the OP really wants to know it.

[Bob K4TAX]

Originally Posted by 01tundra

You both are correct, I think Corn18's point is that the OP can't "calculate" actual trailer tongue weight from the numbers posted above, since a smaller amount of tongue weight is transferred back to the trailer axle(s) by the WD hitch.

A third reading with the trailer attached and without the WD engaged could be used to determine the TW, if the OP really wants to know it.

X2

The OP does not have adequate numbers or weights to perform a proper and reliable calculation.

Measuring tongue weight is amazingly easy. A couple of blocks of wood, a piece of 4x4 about 4 ft long and the old-fashioned bathroom scale. A basic law of Physics and very simple math applied. It has been and is explained is found by a search of messages on the site.

Bob

[obsom]

Originally Posted by Bob K4TAX

With the trailer connected, the Jeep front axle is 100 lbs lighter than the Jeep with no trailer. Weight has been lifted off of the steering axle. The rear axle with the trailer connected is 540 lbs heavier than the rear axle with no trailer.

Appears to me the WDH needs to be adjusted to add at least 250 lbs +/- to the front axle.

Here is the calculator I use.
Actual Weights - Travel Trailer/Bumper Pull Weights from CAT Scales - TowingPlanner

Bob

After another trip to the cat scales with the same cargo, and after making adjustments, I was able to get these numbers with WDH and camper attached.

Lowered angle on WDH by turning adjustment screw 180 degrees

Weigh 3 (Jeep + Camper)
Steer axle: 2760
Rear axle: 2840
Trailer axle: 3440
Gross: 9040

Lowered angle on WDH by turning adjustment screw 90 degrees

Weigh 4 (Jeep + Camper)
Steer axle: 2840
Rear axle: 2700
Trailer axle: 3480
Gross: 9020

After this weight I ran out of daylight.

It seems we are closer to the 250lbs suggested on front axle. However, the WDH bars are starting to flex to where the paint is cracking. I wonder what the limit there is.

[GolfingDave]

Originally Posted by obsom

How much work should the WDH be doing here, given that the steer axle is 100lbs less with the camper hooked up? Can the numbers get better? What is "ideal" in this setup?

No idea what year you have but straight from Jeeps 2023 owners manual. Look at yours and see what is says.

Are you anywhere near that?

From your statement "However, the WDH bars are starting to flex to where the paint is cracking. I wonder what the limit there is." my guess is you are going to far.



Edit: And you are following the WDH set up procedures also?