Tongue Weight Issues with the Geo Pro 19FBS

[RK Camping Couple]

Ok, my TV was a 2019 Chevy Colorado (7000lb max tow cap, with a 770lb tongue weight cap) I figured I would be fin with the Geo Pro 19FBS. So we loaded for the camping trip and headed off.



The squat on the truck was about 2" on the back and the front was lifted about 3". I being an old truck driver my first stop was a CAT scale. Here is what I was amazed with.


1st weight: truck and trailer and all cargo and occupants in place.


Steer Axle: 2680 lbs
Drive Axle: 3220 lbs
Trailer Axle: 3040 lbs


All within limits of each axles weight limits, I though "I am golden". So we dropped the trailer and headed to the scale with just the truck.
2nd weight: truck and occupants and any cargo that was in the truck at the time (which was very little).


Steer Axle: 2940 lbs
Drive Axle: 2360 lbs
Trailer Axle: 00 lbs (no trailer connected)


So that tells me I lost 260lbs on the front axle (thus my front end raising 3") when the trailer is connected.


And that my tongue weight is 860 lbs!!! Now we do NOT have that much in the trailer in fact my dry weight on the trailer is 3270. If you take my truck weight 5300 lbs (when weighed just the truck) and subtract that from the total weight of 8940 you get 3640 which means I only have 370 lbs of cargo in the trailer!


Now I had to purchase a new truck. JUST because of tongue weight. Does this all make sense? Am I missing something?

[HangDiver]

You didn't mention anything about using a weight distribution hitch. Are you using one? If so what hitch?

[SquiggyFreud]

Are you using a WDH ? If not that is where to start. I towed a mini lite 2109s with my canyon for a while. I think I with WDH max tongue weight is 900lb On a canyon.

[RK Camping Couple]

Originally Posted by HangDiver

You didn't mention anything about using a weight distribution hitch. Are you using one? If so what hitch?

No WDH, that doesn't change the tongue weight does it, I was just under the impression that it just puts more force in an upward fashion to transfer some of the weight to the front tires of the TV so the weight is still there just manipulating the force. Am I wrong in that? And at that point if the WDH is 100lbs heaver isn't that bad in itself, that would put me at 960 lbs on a tongue that is only rated for 770?

[Airdale]

Management of the tongue weight can be accomplished by better management of the trailer's cargo.

[HangDiver]

Yea you do need a WDH. It will transfer some weight off the truck and back to the trailer axle and also move some weight forward to the steering axle. The lighter the truck the greater the need for a WDH.

You just saved yourself from having to buy another truck.

[RK Camping Couple]

Originally Posted by Airdale

Management of the tongue weight can be accomplished by better management of the trailer's cargo.

Again only 370 lbs of cargo in the whole trailer the pots and pans are over the axle the fridge was full of food (which is in the rear of the trailer) all that was in the front was a socket set, some bug spray, camping chairs, hoses, and electrical plugs. The rest was just clothes in the drawers and over head storage.

[GoneSouth10]

Originally Posted by RK Camping Couple

. . . all that was in the front was a socket set, some bug spray, camping chairs, hoses, and electrical plugs.

Well, clearly you need to scale down your socket set!!!!

Sorry, couldn't resist . . .
Something seems amiss and I'm sure the towing experts (and I use that term in all sincerity) will get you dialed in WITHOUT having to buy a new truck! (Unless this thread is all an elaborate ruse to get your wife's permission to buy a new truck, in which case you should have used the secret "Bat-Channel" first to warn everyone!! )

[Airdale]

Originally Posted by RK Camping Couple

Again only 370 lbs of cargo in the whole trailer the pots and pans are over the axle the fridge was full of food (which is in the rear of the trailer) all that was in the front was a socket set, some bug spray, camping chairs, hoses, and electrical plugs. The rest was just clothes in the drawers and over head storage.

All water carried in your tanks is CARGO. (?)

[ItsThe2ofUs]

Originally Posted by Airdale

All water carried in your tanks is CARGO. (?)

He doesn't note if he is dry or wet (and how much), but I am sure he realizes that water is cargo (I hope ); anyway, my suggestion is :

go here :https://www.forestriverforums.com/fo...ts-190615.html

Unfamiliar with your hitch , but it must have adjustment s you can make to move the weight back and forth to fit you situation.

I am doing much the same thing with a Tacoma and it is tight; but I am sitting perfectly level with 1/3 water in all 3 tanks and ready to go. Equilizer hitch.

lYou can do it but it is not cut and dried.

R

[ItsThe2ofUs]

as a follow up . Do you have the diesel version ? if not I would recommend a Scan Gauge to monitor Trans temp.

[HangDiver]

Originally Posted by RK Camping Couple

No WDH, that doesn't change the tongue weight does it, I was just under the impression that it just puts more force in an upward fashion to transfer some of the weight to the front tires of the TV so the weight is still there just manipulating the force. Am I wrong in that? And at that point if the WDH is 100lbs heaver isn't that bad in itself, that would put me at 960 lbs on a tongue that is only rated for 770?

I see your point. You are correct in that a WDH does not reduce tongue weight, and yes the weight of a WDH itself counts against the load on the TV. I believe the FW tank is in front of the axle on your Geo Pro. Were you carrying water when you weighed at the scales?

[RK Camping Couple]

Originally Posted by Airdale

All water carried in your tanks is CARGO. (?)

All tanks were empty.

[RK Camping Couple]

Originally Posted by GoneSouth10

Well, clearly you need to scale down your socket set!!!!

Sorry, couldn't resist . . .
Something seems amiss and I'm sure the towing experts (and I use that term in all sincerity) will get you dialed in WITHOUT having to buy a new truck! (Unless this thread is all an elaborate ruse to get your wife's permission to buy a new truck, in which case you should have used the secret "Bat-Channel" first to warn everyone!! )

Sending out the bat-channel! She said I could get a new truck! She said that she would not be comfortable towing with the Colorado so we went shopping.

Found a Chevy Silverado 1500 Custom with Max tow package and 4 wheel drive.

Check out the new stickers Chevy is putting on their trucks. I don't think I will even feel the trailer behind this one.

[HangDiver]

Originally Posted by RK Camping Couple

Found a Chevy Silverado 1500 Custom with Max tow package and 4 wheel drive.

Check out the new stickers Chevy is putting on their trucks. I don't think I will even feel the trailer behind this one.

Attachment 230266

Nice! You'll have to post a photo of your new truck when you get it home.

[Mrprovy]

IDK why GM stopped including this in owners manuals, but my 06 Trailblazer manual specified max tongue weight without a WDH 500lbs, with a WDH 1000lbs.
I have a GeoPro 16BH which weighs in very close to the 19, and using a Andersen WDH gets my truck to ride at the same heights as if the 620lb tongue isn't there. And it tows really nice too.

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by RK Camping Couple

Sending out the bat-channel! She said I could get a new truck! She said that she would not be comfortable towing with the Colorado so we went shopping.

Found a Chevy Silverado 1500 Custom with Max tow package and 4 wheel drive.

Check out the new stickers Chevy is putting on their trucks. I don't think I will even feel the trailer behind this one.

Attachment 230266

More important - whats the payload (sticker on drivers door frame)?

[dbledan]

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

More important - whats the payload (sticker on drivers door frame)?

1819 lbs according to the sticker....did I miss something?

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

More important - whats the payload (sticker on drivers door frame)?

That's how GM does their door sticker now.
Payload is 5th number down.

[Airdale]

Originally Posted by RK Camping Couple

All tanks were empty.

Well, something is wrong with your numbers. According to the specs I found for your trailer it has a GVWR of 5413# with a recommended tongue weight of 413#. Even at 12% of total GVWR the tongue weight would be under 700#.