Rockwood tongue weight?

[sims]

When Rockwood manufacture states tongue weight of rv trailer is 698lbs, do they mean this is what the tongue weighs when the camper is empty, or is it the max tongue weight for a loaded camper?

[ES_FR]

sims,

We would be happy to assist you with this question regarding tongue weight. Please contact Rayna Dimitroff in our Customer service department through the following personalized and direct link: http://www.forestriverinc.com/Direct...23466577954260.

This direct link is provided for your convenience in order that we may resolve your concerns as quickly as possible. We will strive to respond to you within 24 hours of receiving your correspondence.

Respectfully,
Forest River

[GL1800Rider]

Yes, it is based on dry weight. Not sure which model you are looking at but to use an example, the 2304DS Ultra Lite has a "dry" hitch weight of 690 based on 5654 unloaded weight which is close to 12%. That unit has a carrying load capacity of 2036 so add that to the 5654 to give you 7690. 12% of that weight would be about 923 pounds. Big difference

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by sims

When Rockwood manufacture states tongue weight of rv trailer is 698lbs, do they mean this is what the tongue weighs when the camper is empty, or is it the max tongue weight for a loaded camper?

Fictional "dry" weights, such as the brochure/website numbers, are based on a stripped-down version of the trailer.
So the published "dry" tongue weight number is without batteries, options, cargo or water. All it includes is the weight of full propane tanks.
So, loaded for camping, that 698 number could easily swell up to 900-1000lbs.

[itat]

I agree with GL1800Rider. If you are trying to figure out the weight you'll actually see, take the percentage from the dry weights and apply that to the GVWR for a more realistic weight that your tow vehicle will have to carry.

"Dry" seems to be the base model with no options, no battery and no propane tanks. On my past trailers, I've typically seen an actual weight in the range of 800 - 1000# more than the brochure "dry" weight. If you plan to full time in the trailer, you'll add even more weight than me as a weekend warrior and vacation user.

[rockfordroo]

Check the back page of your brochure:

UVW (Unloaded Vehicle Weight)* - is the
typical weight of the unit as manufactured at the
factory. It includes all weight at the unit’s axle(s)
and tongue or pin and LP Gas. The UVW does not
include cargo, fresh potable water, additional optional
equipment or dealer installed accessories.

*Estimated average based on standard build
optional equipment.

UVW is "dry weight." They SHOULD also tell you that the tongue weight assumes the trailer is at it's UVW, not GVWR, but they don't.

It's all a marketing ploy.

[01tundra]

The 2020 2109S has a listed dry tongue weight of 412 lbs.

Our current loaded tongue weight without bikes on the hitch rack is 760 lbs. We are running dual 6V batteries on the tongue.

[SeaDog]

Keep in mind the lounge weight the weight of the lounge as it is leaving the Mfg and does not include the propane tanks or batteries dealer supplied or what you might load. so you can easily add many more hundreds of pounds.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by SeaDog

Keep in mind the lounge weight the weight of the lounge as it is leaving the Mfg and does not include the propane tanks or batteries dealer supplied or what you might load. so you can easily add many more hundreds of pounds.

RV Manufacturers dry tongue weight numbers have included the propane gas weight, since around 2009.
Before that, it was empty tank weight only.
Propane gas weight is a known constant.

[SeaDog]

Originally Posted by bikendan

RV Manufacturers dry tongue weight numbers have included the propane gas weight, since around 2009.
Before that, it was empty tank weight only.
Propane gas weight is a known constant.

I have not been able to find what you are saying every thing I read says propane, water and batteries are not included could you provide a link to the information?

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by SeaDog

I have not been able to find what you are saying every thing I read says propane, water and batteries are not included could you provide a link to the information?

Look at post #6, where rockfordroo quoted a FR brochure.

[lbrjet]

It says propane is included in UVW. My experience is that it is not included in the TW. One reason why loaded TW's are so much higher than the brochure TW.

You and others may disagree, but that has been my experience.

[Chuck_S]

UVW is "dry weight." They SHOULD also tell you that the tongue weight assumes the trailer is at it's UVW, not GVWR, but they don't.

Should tell you the obvious? How do they know how you're going to overload it?

Anyway I'm "pretty sure" the weight given is based on an actual measurement of the trailer as-is, before the owner messes with it.

I guess if they get enough lawsuits they'll have to put the similar stickers on the trailers that they put on raw chicken: "Cook before eating." And on toasters: "Don't operate in the bathtub."

For safe towing travel trailers need a tongue weight in the 10% to 15% range of total trailer weight. Note that's a range. 13% is not a magic number. Gotta know the loaded weight, of course, which often has no relation to the gross axle weight ratings as some folks load their trailers. I'm guessing no more than a dozen folks here have legit tongue weight scales.

-- Chuck

[babock]

Originally Posted by Chuck_S

I'm guessing no more than a dozen folks here have legit tongue weight scales.

Sherline here!

And since I have a scale, I really don't care what the unloaded tongue weight is and what it includes. I load up the trailer and then measure!

[st4]

Our 2020 2109s has a 412 tongue weight 1 battery, full of propane, front compartment loaded, no water in fresh tank, hot water heater full and we are at 640lbs at cat scales

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by Chuck_S

Should tell you the obvious? How do they know how you're going to overload it?

Anyway I'm "pretty sure" the weight given is based on an actual measurement of the trailer as-is, before the owner messes with it.

I guess if they get enough lawsuits they'll have to put the similar stickers on the trailers that they put on raw chicken: "Cook before eating." And on toasters: "Don't operate in the bathtub."

For safe towing travel trailers need a tongue weight in the 10% to 15% range of total trailer weight. Note that's a range. 13% is not a magic number. Gotta know the loaded weight, of course, which often has no relation to the gross axle weight ratings as some folks load their trailers. I'm guessing no more than a dozen folks here have legit tongue weight scales.

-- Chuck

If it was so obvious, why are there literally dozens of people on the forum that are surprised to learn that their actual TW is going to be a lot more than what the manufacturer says?

[Lzerarc]

Originally Posted by lbrjet

It says propane is included in UVW. My experience is that it is not included in the TW. One reason why loaded TW's are so much higher than the brochure TW.

You and others may disagree, but that has been my experience.

For what it's worth when I got mine I weighed the tongue with a scale and it weighed within 20 lb of what the dry tongue weight said so yes the tongue weight posted would include the weight of the gas tanks but not the battery

[lbrjet]

My brochure said 820 and when brand new my Sherline weighed it at 950. Since you gave your details I thought I should give mine. After loading the trailer 1050-1100 depending on what I loaded in the front pass thru.

[67L48]

Start with the fictional dry weight. Take the smaller of these two numbers: GVWR or UVW + 1,200 (1,200 lbs to cover factory options, dealer options, water, food, batteries, pots, pans, and everything else that goes in or on that trailer when rolling down the road). Then, multiply that number by .125. That's a decent estimate of your tongue weight.

Two examples.

UVW = 3,796 lbs. GVWR = 4,600 lbs. Therefore, assume it's fully loaded to 4,600 lbs. Take 12.5% on the hitch (half way between the recommended 10-15% for a conventional trailer). 575 lbs. Expect around 575 lbs on your hitch from that trailer.

UVW = 7,350 lbs. GWR = 10,000 lbs. Therefore, assume it's around 8,550 lbs rolling down the road. Multiply by 12.5% = 1,069 lbs on the hitch.

Obviously, adjust these numbers for toy haulers (you have a 900 lb quad in the trailer) or to move these broad-brush estimates closer to your real-world scenario (in the event that you have good data).

But, it's a good starting point. min(GVWR or UVW+1200) * 0.125 = reasonable estimate for tongue/hitch weight.

[sims]

Thks to all for your inputs on tongue weight!