tongue weight?

drtumolo · 08-09-2021, 08:51 AM

I have just purchased a 2018 Flagstaff microlite 25FKS. I am using this to dry camp at races and would like to carry a generator. My plans would be to add a frame mounted rear hitch and carrier to haul my 120lb generator and two 20lb cylinders of propane. My concerns are with tongue weight. Has anyone here done this and how did it work out?

rsdata · 08-09-2021, 09:05 AM

Quote:

2018 Flagstaff microlite 25FKS

Many people want to do this but fail to realize that any trailer with micro and lite in the description also have very minimal frames. The frame bends and the frame warranty is voided because of adding weight on the rear end when the trailer is not designed to do that.

https://mount-n-lock.com/customer-su...s-my-rv-bumper

check out this video...
https://youtu.be/8kO0N-tyd3Q

There are a hundred threads on this forum alone with information asking and telling what can be accomplished.

Also look here...
https://www.cruiserlifts.com/

Go to pages from Mount n lock and get info there on items to help accomplish what you want to do.

As far as tongue weight... yes you will certainly want to scale your tongue weight before towing. Always figure you need anywhere from 10-15% or more tongue weight of the GROSS WEIGHT of the trailer.

Chuck_S · 08-09-2021, 09:29 AM

Weight at the rear of a trailer will wag the dog. Don't do it. Propane can easily ride on the trailer tongue. Generator in the truck bed.

-- Chuck

TitanMike · 08-09-2021, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck_S

Weight at the rear of a trailer will wag the dog. Don't do it. Propane can easily ride on the trailer tongue. Generator in the truck bed.

-- Chuck

As long as one keeps proper tongue weight and doesn't add excessive weight to rear it's perfectly OK. Thousands of people have done it for years with no issues.

I carry a generator on a GennyGo platform and a Rhino 28 gallon tote hanging from the ladder on my MicroLite 25BDS. No sway problems. I also travel with a full tank of water which is forward of the axle.

My tongue weight is 850# (measured with Sherline "scale") with 6300# on the axles.

Adding a 100# generator and a couple propane tanks on the rear only removes 1/3 to 1/2 that amount from the tongue, depending on axle placement.

Chuck_S · 08-09-2021, 10:31 AM

The pendulum effect of weight on the back of a trailer "enhances" fishtailing - the real word for sway.

-- Chuck

trailerdude · 08-09-2021, 10:37 AM

That's a lot of weight on the back where it's a pretty violent bumpy ride putting a lot of stress on the hitch and frame. My brother in law recently flipped and totaled his new Lance 1995 after adding a rear platform with gen. If you do it make sure you weight everything so your tongue weight is where it should be.

TitanMike · 08-09-2021, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck_S

The pendulum effect of weight on the back of a trailer "enhances" fishtailing - the real word for sway.

-- Chuck

And yet no fishtailing or sway on my setup. I've only been towing TT's since the mid 60's. Learned a long time ago it's not the weight in back, it's whether there is weight up front to balance it. Tongue Weight.

I mentioned carrying water. I read constantly how people refuse to fill their water tanks while traveling. With empty tank, if tank is ahead of the axle, I can see why so many complain about sway issues.

Also helps to have tow vehicle tires properly inflated, especially the rears.

drtumolo · 08-09-2021, 12:07 PM

So to add some additional info I will be traveling with Freshwater tank full to the events. I am towing with a 2014 Ram 1500 crew cab 4x4. I have a hitch that bolts to the frame of the camper ( not the bumper) and I have an Equalizer Hitch.

D W · 08-09-2021, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drtumolo

So to add some additional info I will be traveling with Freshwater tank full to the events. I am towing with a 2014 Ram 1500 crew cab 4x4. I have a hitch that bolts to the frame of the camper ( not the bumper) and I have an Equalizer Hitch.

As long as you have a hitch that fastens adequately to the frame you should be in good shape. Where I live, it is not uncommon to see firewood and bungee cords scattered along the roads along with drag marks on the pavement where their non-reinforced bumpers let go.

TitanMike · 08-09-2021, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drtumolo

So to add some additional info I will be traveling with Freshwater tank full to the events. I am towing with a 2014 Ram 1500 crew cab 4x4. I have a hitch that bolts to the frame of the camper ( not the bumper) and I have an Equalizer Hitch.

I'd take a good look at the ready-made platform and supports for your rear bumper to carry your generator and Propane. Might want to remove spare from rear bumper if mounted there. I don't have room for Generator and Propane with spare located there.

May start carrying it in the bed of my truck and add a second platform for the propane tanks. The ready made platforms are more than strong enough and don't add tons of weight like some "weld up" solutions using heavy iron. The GennyGo platform is well engineered without being heavy. Also available as just the arms/struts for making your own platform out of plywood if you desire.

Here's the platform I installed back in 2019

Here it is with a Champion 3500 W Dual Fuel Inverter/Generator mounted.

Since installed I've logged just under 10,000 miles through at least 7 states with no problems.

One note, this generator weighs 100# and if I were to add a couple 20# propane tanks on the other end of the bumper, that will add another 75# or so. Total would be about the same as if a 175# person were to climb up on the bumper and jump on it. I weighed 220 when I installed the platform and I gave it the "jump test". No flex whatever in the bumper (with safety struts installed).

If you go this route I'd strongly recommend weighing tongue weight and trailer to make sure you have a good balance. A well balanced trailer, driven at a safe speed, will go down the road very nicely.

D W · 08-09-2021, 01:50 PM

While on the subject of fastening gear to the rear, check this thread out:

https://www.forestriverforums.com/fo...ml#post2614212

TitanMike · 08-09-2021, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D W

While on the subject of fastening gear to the rear, check this thread out:

https://www.forestriverforums.com/fo...ml#post2614212

A perfect example of what happens when one goes cheap.

BigH · 08-09-2021, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TitanMike

...

If you go this route I'd strongly recommend weighing tongue weight and trailer to make sure you have a good balance. A well balanced trailer, driven at a safe speed, will go down the road very nicely.

I'm happy your setup works but the fact (science) is a trailer that is as far away from 'balanced' is best. (no weight aft of the rear axle is the safest/most stable). How much weight can be added to the bumper before someone has a problem? Impossible to answer due to the differences in trailers but any weight added behind the rear trailer axles is tipping the balance making it easier for pendulum affect.

TitanMike · 08-09-2021, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigH

I'm happy your setup works but the fact (science) is a trailer that is as far away from 'balanced' is best. (no weight aft of the rear axle is the safest/most stable). How much weight can be added to the bumper before someone has a problem? Impossible to answer due to the differences in trailers but any weight added behind the rear trailer axles is tipping the balance making it easier for pendulum affect.

Perhaps a wrong choice of terms. In my head I was thinking a well balanced trailer has equal weight side to side and 10%-15% of it's weight on the tongue.

The term "properly balanced" doesn't always mean equal weight on both sides of the "fulcrum".

As of adding weight to the rear without being able to measure weight on the tongue I'd agree. I, like many others, have a tongue weight scale made by Sherline. No guessing, it's right there for me to see whenever load the trailer differently (short trip/long trip).

FWIW, most of the people I've seen on the highway that have sway problems aren't having them because of rear bumper loads. They are usually driving like their hair is on fire, way too fast, or have too small a tow vehicle.

Can't count the number of times I get passed (doing the truck/vehicle with tow speed limit) and the back of their trailer could be swinging a hula-hoop. 75+ is not unusual with a posted speed of 60.

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