Payload or Towing Capacity Question

[Sammici]

Is it better or worse for your tow vehicle if you put more weight in your bed or move it into your trailer.
Just asking because neither my TV or TT are maxed out but I can move all my gear into the TT with the bonus of less weight on rear axle on the TV.
Or does it even matter when both payloads are kept under GVWR?

[NavyLCDR]

Originally Posted by Sammici

Is it better or worse for your tow vehicle if you put more weight in your bed or move it into your trailer.
Just asking because neither my TV or TT are maxed out but I can move all my gear into the TT with the bonus of less weight on rear axle on the TV.
Or does it even matter when both payloads are kept under GVWR?

The biggest issue is that you want 10 - 15% (preferably 15%) of the trailer gross weight to be on the tongue. Increasing weight in the trailer rear of the axles will contribute to trailer sway and instability.

[Oaklevel]

You will usually run out of payload capacity in the truck before the trailer.

Going to a CAT type scale is probably the first step, weighing loaded

[njfishing]

Every pound you put in your truck eats up a pound of your tow vehicle payload. Every pound you put in your trailer translates to 15% of additional tongue weight which subtracts from your tow vehicles payload. I would load your trailer with the additional weight but make sure you try and keep it close to the axles or spread the weight out as evenly as possible between front and back. Cheat more to the front since too much weight in the back of the trailer is the usual cause of excess sway.

[NavyLCDR]

Originally Posted by njfishing

Every pound you put in your trailer translates to 15% of additional tongue weight

That is absolutely false. The contribution to or reduction of tongue weight depends upon where you are loading the cargo in the trailer. If you load the cargo behind the trailer axles, the tongue weight will go down - and so will the percentage of tongue weight to gross weight of the trailer.

[Sammici]

I've been on scales. Usually have 600 lbs below GVWR on the TT. And typically have about 300 in bed.
Also have timbren ses on the TV.
Will ride improve by shifting that weight over the TT axle instead of the bed. I have plenty of payload on the TV.

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by Sammici

... Also have timbren ses on the TV.
Will ride improve by shifting that weight over the TT axle instead of the bed. I have plenty of payload on the TV.

Timbrens (or Sumo Springs, or air bags) do not affect how much your TV can carry. They only change how much it squats and maybe how much it bounces.

Your ride will improve when you get the trailer balanced with respect to distribution of weight within the trailer and on the tongue, and also find the adjustment sweet spot for your weight-distributing hitch. Regarding the latter, that may mean changing the angle with washers (if that's an option) and/or adjusting the tension on the WDH springs.

Unfortunately, it's kind of a trial and error thing but you can get a big head start by weighing your TV and trailer at a CAT scale, as advised by others. Do that with both loaded for travel. That includes full tanks if you typically travel that way. Ideally, it also includes passengers but your family might not be pleased to have to sit through it. Consider using ballast instead of humans.

You can find weighing instructions and a useful trailer weight calculator and at TowingPlanner.com.

[NavyLCDR]

^+100 what chriscowles posted!

[bikendan]

Moved thread to the Towing/Tow Vehicles sub-forum.

Sent from my SM-G781U using Forest River Forums mobile app

[Rhumblefish]

Originally Posted by Sammici

Is it better or worse for your tow vehicle if you put more weight in your bed or move it into your trailer.
Just asking because neither my TV or TT are maxed out but I can move all my gear into the TT with the bonus of less weight on rear axle on the TV.
Or does it even matter when both payloads are kept under GVWR?

I see it's time to post this video again! (Yay, I love posting this video).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeEEC5eVNCk

This is exactly how weight and weight distribution (as well as speed and incline) impact vehicle stability. It's all a dance - you need to keep within all the limitations, and balance out loading. once you understand the principles at work (and perhaps SEE them working), it becomes second nature.

You can likely carry more gear if you load your trailer to max weight but having a heavier TV is better than a heavier TT.
No matter what, don't overload either your TV or TT.
10-15% of your TT weight goes on your Tongue, but don't overload your hitch or your car.
Weight is best concentrated over the TT axles.
- Distributed isn't good.
- Behind the axles is worse.
Keep your speed down
Trailer sway is worse going downhill, better going uphill
... simple, right?

[EdJunior]

Originally Posted by NavyLCDR

^+100 what chriscowles posted!

Agree! chriscowles has it just about nailed.

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by NavyLCDR

^+100 what chriscowles posted!

Originally Posted by EdJunior

Agree! chriscowles has it just about nailed.

Thanks. Let's also acknowledge @ependydad, who built the site I referred to.

[EdJunior]

Originally Posted by chriscowles

Thanks. Let's also acknowledge @ependydad, who built the site I referred to.

Absolutely acknowledged!

[Bhrava]

When you say you want to improve "ride", what exactly do you not like about the ride? Assuming all else is good with the WDH and tongue weight, etc. what are you looking to accomplish?

[Sammici]

Was wondering what was better for the trucks ride.
The video says heavier TV will have less sway, which is not my problem.
Mostly the DW thinks it bounces to much, hence I thought moving weight from bed to over TT axle in case the timbrens were causing it since the 1500 uses coil springs.

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by Sammici

Was wondering what was better for the trucks ride.
The video says heavier TV will have less sway, which is not my problem.
Mostly the DW thinks it bounces to much, hence I thought moving weight from bed to over TT axle in case the timbrens were causing it since the 1500 uses coil springs.

Are you describing cyclic bouncing of the front and rear of the TV, which some describe as porpoising?

[Sammici]

Yes, it happens occasionally, not all the time.

[Sammici]

BTW, the timbrens don't touch the axle when using WDH or no load on bumper for every day driving.

[Bhrava]

Whether it is in the bed of the truck, or the nose of the trailer, it will still cause bouncing.

Start with the basics, get a scale weight on all axles, try to determine if moving stuff forward in the trailer to decrease the aft end weight and get a little more up front helps. Sometimes getting more weight forward in the trailer can help correct bouncing. Equal weight fore and aft of the axles can cause a seesaw effect, and while chances are there is more weight ahead of than behind the axles, moving just a little more forward can be all it needs.

If you are already at your limits on tongue weight either @ 15% or at payload, hitch capacity, then the next thing to look at are different bars on the WDH. They could be right on the edge for the weight transferred, where they distribute the weight, but have more spring to them that is moving the truck on dips in the road.

Could always add Sumo Springs or Timbrens too. They attach to the frame, and are only in contact when fully loaded, taking some of the stress off the springs, and smoothing out the ride.

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by Sammici

I've been on scales. Usually have 600 lbs below GVWR on the TT. And typically have about 300 in bed. ...

Have you been able to do 3 weights at a scale? If you post the results it allows more informed advice. If not, we're kind of guessing, but I understand that CAT scales aren't everywhere and it's not always something you can fit into the family camping schedule.