Flagstaff Micro Lite 22FBS Rough Measurements

[LJLeVine]

So...we recently purchased a 22FBS. Also purchased a Sherline Trailer Tongue Weight Scale to gauge rough weights. Both 30 pound propane tanks are full and a lead acid battery was present. The griddle and table were present in the pass through.

Sherline weight was 750 pounds.
Using wife as a test (120 pounds)- she stood in the rear of the unit and the tongue weight dropped to 700 pounds.

22 Tundra - height to bottom of rear real well molding was 38 inches.
Same measurement with unit hitched and equalizer installed was 37 inches - so a drop of 1 inch.

[Richard Dietzen]

I’m surprised you have had no replies, so here goes. Re-balancing the load further aft reduces tongue weight. I try to keep the weight low, and when possible, nearest the axles. Whatever is heavy and insecurely fixed on either end will shake and flex against the frame, axle, and exert or reduce force on the tongue to a variable and reciprocal degree.
Like a ship, the ballast should be low, and the pitch of the waves will be felt less intensely in the hold-just over the axles. I’m sure that’s why the rear bumper cargo hitch is limited to 300lb. Motor homes carry cargo between the axles, but the tongue weight (and frame stress at equivalent loading) on a TT can change drastically with weight distribution. But you knew that already.
There was a time when I was required to illustrate this with force vectors, but I don’t miss it a bit now. I’ve seen lots of posts about the surprises of measuring tongue weight after loading. When I first brought my trailer home, I decided that I would drive it unloaded except with a full tank of water upfront to see what that felt like. I’ll never do that again! I’d rather be cruising in 60 foot waves with the Diamond Princess through a severe Pacific storm in the Strait of Magellan.

[Traveling Circus]

Originally Posted by LJLeVine

So...we recently purchased a 22FBS. Also purchased a Sherline Trailer Tongue Weight Scale to gauge rough weights. Both 30 pound propane tanks are full and a lead acid battery was present. The griddle and table were present in the pass through.



Sherline weight was 750 pounds.

Using wife as a test (120 pounds)- she stood in the rear of the unit and the tongue weight dropped to 700 pounds.



22 Tundra - height to bottom of rear real well molding was 38 inches.

Same measurement with unit hitched and equalizer installed was 37 inches - so a drop of 1 inch.

I never keep the propane tanks full (but I live in Florida). I alternate tanks and only put in 4 gallons when one tank needs propane. I do keep my water heater filled. I keep 5 gallons in my black tank. The other tanks are empty when traveling. I typically will use my sherline scale once a year, when I know the TT is loaded at it's heaviest. My tongue weight is around 650lbs. Unit weighs approximately 4,400 lbs at cat scale with good balance on both drive and rear axels. I also tow with either a 2008 DC Tundra or 2016 CM Tundra. With my weight distribution set up, the truck stance is pretty level.
If you haven't done so, I recommend that you take it to a Cat Scale. Get the app, it's an easy process.
Happy, safe travels.

[GolfingDave]

I wasn't sure if he was asking for anything??

But I could not find anything in a Tundra owners manual for using a wdh and what the set up is. Ford and Chevy give you specs for wheel height changes.
Maybe some Tundra owners can elaborate.

He mentions the rear wheel clearance change only, not the front. The front is difference is what matters the most.

I wish I would have measured my tongue weight before and after installing a good mattress. Just out of curiosity.

[Chuck_S]

Is there anything more here than random weights?

A nearly 7000 pound trailer should be expected to have a tongue weight of at least 700 pounds -- no surprises here. And both are well within the published towing and cargo capacity of the Toyota.

-- Chuck

[LJLeVine]

The reason for the post was that there seems to be minimal info regarding weights on the 22 FBS (unless I've missed them). We will be taking the unit for its first shakedown during the weekend of 4/21. I don't expect us to have anymore than 1000 pounds of gear added to the unit. The Toyota manual basically says anything over 5000 pounds needs a WDH. I plan to remeasure again - and will include the front height of the truck. I don't expect much change. As far as the unit vs truck capabilities - we had no concerns going into this. I was mainly interested in numbers and providing them.

[Chuck_S]

Common (if not standard) for there to be two maximum towing capacities: (1) Weight carrying and (2) Weight distribution.

Seems you have the Equalizer. Just set it up in accordance with the instructions. 700 pound tongue weight is expected and fine.

-- Chuck

[Traveling Circus]

Originally Posted by GolfingDave

I wasn't sure if he was asking for anything??

But I could not find anything in a Tundra owners manual for using a wdh and what the set up is. Ford and Chevy give you specs for wheel height changes.
Maybe some Tundra owners can elaborate.

He mentions the rear wheel clearance change only, not the front. The front is difference is what matters the most.

I wish I would have measured my tongue weight before and after installing a good mattress. Just out of curiosity.

My manuals state WDH needs to be used for anything over 5,000lbs.

[LJLeVine]

So... I re-measured the height to the wheel well moldings all around - prior to hitching was 38 inches....after hitching and with about 800 pounds of cargo in the camper was 37 inches. I haven't brought the unit to a CAT scale yet....but...the tongue weight with full tanks was 720.