Need Help With My Blue Ox-Ford Numbers

[Girtski]

Not sure where the gray and black tanks are. The drain is behind the axles but the pipes look like they go forward. I believe the black tank is right below the toilet which is right over the axles. I thought about relocating my propane and battery to the rear of the camper I don’t know what else to do

[mopwr4me2003]

What model TT do you have? If the fresh water tank is front of the axles and you fill it that could be where the extra weight is coming from. Not sure what size water tank you have but I’ll go off mine which is a 40 gal tank. 8.3 lbs x 40 = 332 lbs of possible extra tongue weight. I would weigh things as you have it now then empty the fresh water tank and see where your numbers fall. Seeing as how you have done everything else with your hitch this is where I would start just to see your numbers.

[Girtski]

Originally Posted by mopwr4me2003

What model TT do you have? If the fresh water tank is front of the axles and you fill it that could be where the extra weight is coming from. Not sure what size water tank you have but I’ll go off mine which is a 40 gal tank. 8.3 lbs x 40 = 332 lbs of possible extra tongue weight. I would weigh things as you have it now then empty the fresh water tank and see where your numbers fall. Seeing as how you have done everything else with your hitch this is where I would start just to see your numbers.

2012 8315BSS. Fresh water tank is behind the axles. From my scale slips it appears as though my current Trailer weight is 7660 without the water in the tank. My current tongue weight is 1260. Even if I move the battery and propane to the rear, I"m not getting down to 10% or 766. Even pushing the envelope to 15%, I'd be at 1149.

Length
34.25 ft. (411 in.)
Width
8 ft. (96 in.)
Height
10 ft. (120 in.)
Interior Height
6.5 ft. (78 in.)
Weight
Dry Weight
6,976 lbs.
Payload Capacity
1,474 lbs.
GVWR
8,450 lbs.
Hitch Weight
841 lbs.
Holding Tanks
Number Of Fresh Water Holding Tanks
1
Total Fresh Water Tank Capacity
43.0 gal.
Total Gray Water Tank Capacity
76.0 gal.
Number Of Black Water Holding Tanks
1
Total Black Water Tank Capacity
38.0 gal.

[lbrjet]

I have a Flagstaff 831 FKBSS which is a twin to your trailer. My tongue weight is 1100 with 7250 on the trailer axles. We travel several months at a time so are pretty loaded up. The front kitchen tends to account for the higher tongue weights with this model plus the tires are pretty far back. You are asking a lot from a 1/2 ton to be pulling that trailer.

[Girtski]

Originally Posted by lbrjet

I have a Flagstaff 831 FKBSS which is a twin to your trailer. My tongue weight is 1100 with 7250 on the trailer axles. We travel several months at a time so are pretty loaded up. The front kitchen tends to account for the higher tongue weights with this model plus the tires are pretty far back. You are asking a lot from a 1/2 ton to be pulling that trailer.

The point is more about relative tongue weight percentages. in my mind it wouldn’t matter if I had an F450, if my tongue weight exceeds 15% then I’m bound to have sway issues. My setup is spec’d To tow 10700 lbs with a gcwr of 16100.. I am well within those parameters. Seems as though one would have to have the hot water tank empty and all of the kitchen cupboard contents stored in the back bedroom. I am tempted to do just that and remove my propane tanks and battery to see if I am anywhere close to the prescribed 841 lbs.

[Girtski]

Well, I started over. Recently installed a rack on the back which holds the spare and folds down for about 150lbs worth of cargo.

Here's where I am at today

Sticker on hitch says tongue weight 500lbs or 1350 with WDH.

Purchased a sherline 2000 and weighed the tongue in the driveway. 1150 lbs

Aired up the truck to 50 psi all the way around.

Aired up the new Goodyear Endurance tires to 55 psi (Placard is 50, side wall is 80)

Went through the leveling of the trailer measuring the coupler height and the unloaded ball height. It appears as though I need to raise the ball up to the next set of holes. But, I went ahead and did the following;

Unloaded truck height at wheel well.
LF 37-3/8 RF 37-1/4
LR 39-1/2 RR 39-1/2
weights
FR 3320 lbs
RR 2560 lbs

Combo vehicle, WDH in bed
Heights
LF 38-1/4 RF 37-3/4
LR36-3/4 RR 36-1/4
weights
FR 2900 lbs
RR 4020 lbs
Trailer 6860 lbs

WDH included on 10th link
LF 37 RF 37-7/8
LR 36-3/4 RR 38
weights
FR 3260 lbs
RR 3540 lbs

WDH included on 11th link
LF 37-1/8 RF 37-3/8
LR 37-1/4 RR 37-3/4
weights
FR 3300
RR 3460
Trailer 7040

It seems as though with 11 links at this ball height is the best I'm going to get. I'm raising the ball one set of holes tomorrow and going to go through the same measurement and weight process.

For the experts out there, please feel free to analyze and comment on my numbers.