Tongue Weight Question From New Tower

[01tundra]

Mini/Micro Lites are tongue heavy.

Ours scales out at 15% of our scaled weight.

[Mike134]

Originally Posted by 01tundra

Mini/Micro Lites are tongue heavy.

Ours scales out at 15% of our scaled weight.

And we should point out there is nothing wrong with a heavy tongue weight if you have the WDH properly set up. To light causes issues, to heavy is just more "payload" on the towing vehicle

[alwsjr]

Seems like 15% is the go-to number for planning purposes. Weighing tongue is best probably. Thx again for another reply to this. Al

[ARhappycamper]

12% has always been the TW estimation number for TT GVWR. 15% for 5th wheels.

[alwsjr]

Ah. Got it. Thx, Al

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by ARhappycamper

12% has always been the TW estimation number for TT GVWR. 15% for 5th wheels.

Not necessarily for single-axle trailers. They are more of a balancing act.

Think about moving a heavy weight back-and-forth in the region between the two axles of a double-axle trailer. It may change the weight distribution between the two axles, but it won't change the tongue weight much.

Now, visualize the same heavy weight moving back and forth in the region of the single axle of a single-axle trailer. It will have a much more dramatic effect.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Larry-NC

Not necessarily for single-axle trailers. They are more of a balancing act.

Think about moving a heavy weight back-and-forth in the region between the two axles of a double-axle trailer. It may change the weight distribution between the two axles, but it won't change the tongue weight much.

Now, visualize the same heavy weight moving back and forth in the region of the single axle of a single-axle trailer. It will have a much more dramatic effect.

I always recommend using at least 13% of GVWR for single axle trailers. Especially since these new hot selling single axle trailers that have the axle set way back.
For example:

https://images.app.goo.gl/yd6RdV9nMHkutWnR9

[Airdale]

There are no valid rules, they are all guesstimates.

Load-up and weigh it. If over expectations, reload and try again. Your trailer may not be unique but your tongue weight will be.

[ysidive]

Originally Posted by alwsjr

Seems like 15% is the go-to number for planning purposes. Weighing tongue is best probably. Thx again for another reply to this. Al

Big question is what is the payload capacity of your tow vehicle... Payload capacity is usually listed on the door jamb of the driver side of vehicle. Should be a yellow sticker that has tire size and capacity....

[CCrew]

Originally Posted by ARhappycamper

I am replacing my 400-800 bars with the 800-1200 bars. My new TW will be around 1000# at GVWR
15% is usually the pin weight for a fifth wheel.

My understanding on a 5'er you use 22% on the pin.

[coop06w]

Just my 2 cents. I have blue ox set up and have 1000 lb tounge weight I had 1500lb bars, i ended up going down to the 1000 lb bars. Reason being is blue ox bars need a good bend to have effective sway control. I could not achieve the bow with 1500lb bars. The 1000lb bars bow good and I get good weight transfer. Just remember every set up is different, I tow with a ram 1500 have a vibe 24x 5700 empty 7200 gvwr has and empty hitch weight of 700lb .

[Bhrava]

Originally Posted by coop06w

Just my 2 cents. I have blue ox set up and have 1000 lb tounge weight I had 1500lb bars, i ended up going down to the 1000 lb bars. Reason being is blue ox bars need a good bend to have effective sway control. I could not achieve the bow with 1500lb bars. The 1000lb bars bow good and I get good weight transfer. Just remember every set up is different, I tow with a ram 1500 have a vibe 24x 5700 empty 7200 gvwr has and empty hitch weight of 700lb .

Was going to post the same thing. Been there, done that. I still have the 1500 pound bars tucked away in the garage.

Rule of thumb 80% or BETTER weight on the bars. For 1000# bars, that is a starting TW of 800 pounds. The 1500# bars are 1200#. The 1500 will redistribute weight just fine, which is OK for a 3/4 ton and up, but not a 1/2 ton since you get no sway control under 1200# TW. Even passing SUV will be felt as they go by.

I follow a simple rule, 13% TW from the GVWR to size up the bars, and see if there will be enough payload. Example, a 7900 GVWR trailer will have 1027# on TW @13%. Middle of the road. That's provided it is equally distributed, and maxed out. Chances are likely not to be maxed out, so 1000 pound bars will work fine, 1500 will not.

[alwsjr]

I spoke with Blue Ox twice and told them I had 7800 lb. loaded TT and they said to use 15% calc. for tongue thus 1170 lbs. and 1500 lb. bars would be best.

They said 1500 bars support 1000 to 1500 tongue weights.

I told them I thought 1500 bars might be overkill and give stiff ride and may not take care of sway as you indicate but they disagreed.

Al

[Bhrava]

They are assuming you are going to max out the trailer, because that will be the only way to reach 15% with enough weight to activate sway control. I have packed a lot of stuff, with full fresh water tanks and never hit 15%, some trailers can't even hit 15% without exceeding GVWR. Also, do you have enough payload, and what is the receiver rated for? While the TW may not exceed the receiver rating, there is still the 80 pounds of weight to add with the Blue Ox to your payload, so you need at least 1250 pounds available payload after everyone and everything is in the truck.

[alwsjr]

1770 payload

[ARhappycamper]

Originally Posted by coop06w

Just my 2 cents. I have blue ox set up and have 1000 lb tounge weight I had 1500lb bars, i ended up going down to the 1000 lb bars. Reason being is blue ox bars need a good bend to have effective sway control. I could not achieve the bow with 1500lb bars. The 1000lb bars bow good and I get good weight transfer. Just remember every set up is different, I tow with a ram 1500 have a vibe 24x 5700 empty 7200 gvwr has and empty hitch weight of 700lb .

That's right at 12% tongue weight empty.

[ARhappycamper]

Originally Posted by Bhrava

Was going to post the same thing. Been there, done that. I still have the 1500 pound bars tucked away in the garage.

Rule of thumb 80% or BETTER weight on the bars. For 1000# bars, that is a starting TW of 800 pounds. The 1500# bars are 1200#. The 1500 will redistribute weight just fine, which is OK for a 3/4 ton and up, but not a 1/2 ton since you get no sway control under 1200# TW. Even passing SUV will be felt as they go by.

I follow a simple rule, 13% TW from the GVWR to size up the bars, and see if there will be enough payload. Example, a 7900 GVWR trailer will have 1027# on TW @13%. Middle of the road. That's provided it is equally distributed, and maxed out. Chances are likely not to be maxed out, so 1000 pound bars will work fine, 1500 will not.

So I take it I should be fine with the 800-1200 bars and 8600 GVWR ?

[Mike134]

Originally Posted by ARhappycamper

So I take it I should be fine with the 800-1200 bars and 8600 GVWR ?

GVWR is a useless number. What's the real weight?

I say useless because my TT has a GVWR of 7700 yet CAT scales at 6200. All my setup would be WAY off using GVWR

[Meritman]

I have always find when looking at towing and or trucks bigger is always better :

[NavyLCDR]

My vote is for the 1500# bars.