Any suggestions as to obtaining the empty tongue weight; the loaded tongue weight? I've asked locally about portable scales,(none at rental centers) Short of taking too much time at the CAT scales (which I've done 3 times to get, what I thought, were accurate measurements). They were:
I received the following from equal-i-zer regarding optimal setup info:
1. What is your trailers tongue weight fully loaded?
2. Do you load anything in the back?
3. What size hitch do you have 6000, 10000, 12000?
4. What is the height of your hitch ball from the ground before attaching trailer?
5. What is the height of the trailer coupler from the ground?
6. How many washers do you have on the spacer rivet?
7. How far back from the coupler are the brackets?
8. Would you send me pictures of the brackets with the L-brackets?
9. Would you take a picture of your trailer with the hitch and arms attached both sides, and send a picture of each side and top down view on the hitch?
Would you send me a close up picture looking down from the hitch head top looking down at the ground
Or...any suggested / trusted sources to ensure my wdh is properly set? I'm not confident that the dealer did more than a quick and dirty set up.
__________________
Retired U.S. Coast Guard Mustang
Presently a librarian @ Duke
If you don't have access to a portable truck scale (pictured)
Here is a way to do it with a bathroom scale.
Follow the directions CAREFULLY to avoid overloading the scale.
The longer the "arm" to the scale the less weight will be on the scale.
ALWAYS use 1 foot from the support to the tongue on the supported side (without the scale) to make the math easier.
Note the system "tare" weight (the reading with the boards (4x4 or 6x6 recommended for heavy tongue weights) and subtract that number from any readings you take! Always use a support board at least 1 foot longer than the distance between the supports.
Then with 1 foot to the scale support multiply the scale weight by 2.
With 2 feet from the tongue to the scale support, multiply the reading by 3 (scale reads 1/3 of tongue weight)
Find a bathroom scale that goes to 300 pounds maximum, 2 feet between the supports (in the middle of the board) can measure from zero to 600 pounds.
3 feet between the supports (1 foot on the support side and 2 feet on the scale side) can weigh between zero and 900 pounds.
4 feet between the supports can weigh between zero and 1200 pounds.
5 feet (use a 6x6 for this!), can weigh between zero and 1500 pounds.
__________________
Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
Seems right for your trailer. Your goal is restore the front axle to the unhitched weight of 3,000 lbs. At 2,900 lbs that is actually pretty good. You could add 1 more washer if you want to.
I was thinking I needed to raise the "L" tongue bracket up one hole. . . maybe not. I have no "washers" to add (the install was done during my. . . "pdi"); but we're headed back to the dealer on Saturday for warranty work on the collapsed awning...maybe they can take a moment and fine tune it. . . or maybe that's too much service to expect.
__________________
Retired U.S. Coast Guard Mustang
Presently a librarian @ Duke
The weights you posted are right on the money. Your light load weight puts a touch more weight on front than removed and your heavy load a touch less. I would not mess with the setup. Raising the L brackets is a mistake. Doing so would be worthwhile for a temporary test to see what result putting another washer in would do, but permanently doing so results in the bars running anti-parallel to the trailer a-frame. This will result in unnecessary wear and noise. Properly adjusted, the bars should always be parallel to the a-frame. I don't think you need adjustment, but should you decide you do, you can purchase appropriate grade 8 washers at any hardware store.
By the way, when you go to Cat scales, which is the way to do it, you need three weights - truck alone, truck and trailer with weight distribution, and truck and trailer without weight distribution. The last measurement lets you calculate the actual tongue weight. Cat scale etiquette requires that you roll on and take one measurement, leave the scale, make adjustments or whatever, then roll on for another measurement. It is poor form to sit on the scales and fiddle around. Both the weigh-master, and waiting trucks will take a dim view of this. Good luck.
Escapees offer a service called Smart Weigh. The RVSEF has one also. After they PROPERLY weigh you, a trained staff member will go over the results with you and be able to advise you as to the optimum tire pressures you should use. Escapees have a permanent location set up at their HQ in Livingston, TX. They also have the service at major Escapees' rallies. The RVSEF (Recreation Vehicle Safety and Education Foundation) offer the service at a number of RV events throughout the year across the country. Time and money VERY well spent in my opinion.
My thanks to the collective / hive of this group. I'll be leaving the set-up as based on replies and thoughts. When new tires are needed, for both tv and tt, the planned upgrade will help with stability. No more 1100 mile trips are presently planned...just some one-tankers.
__________________
Retired U.S. Coast Guard Mustang
Presently a librarian @ Duke
Getting The Weight(s) Right
Linear Mode
