Cat Scale - 2011 Durango and 2018 23MK

MillMitch · 04-28-2018, 07:05 PM

We bought our TT last fall, and today the weather was nice enough that I finally got the rest of our gear loaded up and hit the CAT scales - thought I would share. This weight won't mean much to anybody else but basically includes everything for us except clothes, coffee pot, food and fresh water fill up. Highlights: 50' of 30amp cable, 30' sewer, 50' white hose, 25' garden hose, dutch oven, cast iron skillet, dishes, cups silverware, utensils, grill set, general tool set, 1/2" socket set, 2 sets of levelers, 4 wheel chocks, 2 Xchocks, 2 lawn chairs, various electric adapters, surge.
TV specs: 2011 Durango w/ tow package and 5.7L GVW 7100, max front axle 3200, max rear axle 3900, GCVW 13,100
TT specs: yellow sticker unloaded 5,234, GVW 7600,
CAT scales: front axle 3020, rear axle 3740, TT axles 4900, Combined 11660
TV back for reweigh after dropping off trailer: front axle 3080, rear axle 2940, combined 6020 (which puts the TT at 5640 without water)
2 passengers, 1/4 tank gas, telescoping ladder in back and bunch of junk.
Dealer setup our E2 hitch last fall which worked fine when the trailer was empty. I added another washer (total of 7 now), which brought my front fender measurement to 32-7/8 from orig of 33". Rear measurement is at 32-1/2 vs orig of 33-3/4.
TT looks a little nose high in picture (not sure if it's an optical illusion), but I measure top of coupler at 24", which is what the ball is set at, and coupler sits at on level. Tows much better, but need some more towing mileage to judge.
Wanted to share - happy camping.

SeaDog · 04-29-2018, 08:16 AM

Read up on the setup for your wdh each is different. On mine starting on a level surface with the trailer level I measure to the top of the coupler. Then set the ball 2" higher, before hookup measure front and rear wheel well heights. I use the bar tension to bring the truck back close to original wheel well setting. I use the washers to keep the ball level with the coupler. I need to do the cat scale this year

MillMitch · 04-30-2018, 08:59 AM

Thanks Seadog, and yes, I still have some tweaking to do to the setup. I probably should have mentioned that I actually called Fastaway about the E2 setup. The Durango has a mechanical self leveling rear suspension that can't be turned off as per WDH setup instructions. The tech I talked to said they had the best luck in those situations by bringing the front fender measurement back to or slightly under the measurement without the trailer.

**ependydad** · 04-30-2018, 09:58 AM

Good on you for weighing.

jbrosecity · 04-30-2018, 02:54 PM

the thread caught my eye because I use a 2016 Durango R/T as my tow vehicle for my car hauler trailer which weighs in at about 5600 # with my MGB in there. I use the Andersen WDH hitch and it tows great. I don't see you mentioning what brake controller you have. I am using a Tekonsha Primus IQ Electronic Brake Controller that will actuate the trailer's electric brakes. Seems to work pretty well. Had it installed by the best hitch specialist in the area.

MillMitch · 05-01-2018, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbrosecity

the thread caught my eye because I use a 2016 Durango R/T as my tow vehicle for my car hauler trailer which weighs in at about 5600 # with my MGB in there. I use the Andersen WDH hitch and it tows great. I don't see you mentioning what brake controller you have. I am using a Tekonsha Primus IQ Electronic Brake Controller that will actuate the trailer's electric brakes. Seems to work pretty well. Had it installed by the best hitch specialist in the area.

I had an MG Midget in college (which was a very long time ago), and I think i could fit 2 of those in that trailer

Dealer installed the brake controller last fall and I don't remember what kind it is. But it does work.

jbrosecity · 05-01-2018, 11:30 PM

MGB is a little longer than the midget... still pretty small. The trailer is 20' - the MG is about 14' long... but it gives us extra room for bicycles and other stuff for road trips

MillMitch · 05-02-2018, 08:08 AM

Thanks for the pic, that is awesome. I started dating my wife when I owned the MG, she was really annoyed when i sold it and bought an old beat up Plymouth Duster.
Enjoy the summer!

rfaulkner99 · 05-02-2018, 02:41 PM

MillMitch, thanks for posting. I have an E2 hitch that I am in the process of adjusting.

I made the mistake of keeping the adjustments from the guy who sold me the trailer, and let's just say that on my camping trip that was only 2 hours away, I had several white-knuckle moments when the big trucks would pass me and start me swaying pretty badly.

I stayed off the interstate on the way home, and when I started measuring things I noticed that my hitch was about 6" higher than the trailer when it was parallel to the ground. I ended up having to buy a longer shank to drop the hitch that much. We'll see how it goes, but your post confirmed the information that I had that the hitch ball should match the height of the top of the hitch.

Can I ask the purpose of adding the additional washers?

MillMitch · 05-02-2018, 03:05 PM

Adding washers does the same thing as raising the L-bracket, it adds lift in the rear and pushes more weight to the front axle and TT axles. Towing felt soft in front when I put the TT away in storage last fall, and again when i pulled it out last weekend. It felt way better towing with the xtra washer added.
If you are towing with a pickup, everything I've read says longer wheelbase TV's will need more washers, so you might start at 7. You can also get the E2 owners manual online if the guy didn't give you his.
Good luck.

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