Towing questions

Waaazooo · September 27, 2016

Ha ha, I know there are a shit ton of these questions. I did a quickie search and thought I would ask anyhow.

I read that the tongue weight of the trailer is dependent on the weight of the trailer, but that's based on the distribution of weight in the trailer, correct? So if I put more weight behind the axles of the trailer I can reduce my tongue weight, to an extent, correct?

I have my trailer packed and ready to hook up the wdh, but when I did the math (assuming the tongue weight will be 12% of the gross weight of the packed trailer, I only have about 66lbs left of cargo after gas, family and generator.

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ember1205 · September 27, 2016

Tongue weight should represent a specific percentage of the total weight of the trailer and payload.

For example: A 10k lb equipment trailer would weigh roughly 2500 lbs. If you were carrying a 4k lb payload on the trailer, your total weight would be 6500 lbs.

For that much weight, you should distribute the load so that the tongue weight is somewhere in the 650-900 lbs mark (10-15% is the generic target area).

Of course, you may find that slightly higher or slightly lower in that range is smoother and more controllable behind you. And, you must ensure that your hitch and ball are rated for the amount of weight the tongue is carrying, as is the suspension of the truck. If you get up on the higher end of some of the possible values, you may need to use a Weight Distributing Hitch which will actually cause some of that tongue weight to be carried by your FRONT suspension.

The goals here are to keep enough weight on the rear wheels to provide good traction for acceleration while also keeping enough weight on the front wheels to provide good traction for steering and braking.

Your estimate of how much weight is left after connecting the trailer might be dead on. Unfortunately.

Waaazooo · September 27, 2016

Tongue weight should represent a specific percentage of the total weight of the trailer and payload.

For example: A 10k lb equipment trailer would weigh roughly 2500 lbs. If you were carrying a 4k lb payload on the trailer, your total weight would be 6500 lbs.

For that much weight, you should distribute the load so that the tongue weight is somewhere in the 650-900 lbs mark (10-15% is the generic target area).

Of course, you may find that slightly higher or slightly lower in that range is smoother and more controllable behind you. And, you must ensure that your hitch and ball are rated for the amount of weight the tongue is carrying, as is the suspension of the truck. If you get up on the higher end of some of the possible values, you may need to use a Weight Distributing Hitch which will actually cause some of that tongue weight to be carried by your FRONT suspension.

The goals here are to keep enough weight on the rear wheels to provide good traction for acceleration while also keeping enough weight on the front wheels to provide good traction for steering and braking.

Your estimate of how much weight is left after connecting the trailer might be dead on. Unfortunately.

Thanks man.

I have a 1000lb / 10000lb weight distribution.

I guess I need to invest in a tongue scale. The real weight thus far is the fresh water tank. I assume that's going to be above the axles.

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ShawnR · September 28, 2016

Too little tongue weight can lead to serious control issues. 12% is the standard and you should try to achieve that (or higher). I weigh on a truck scale at least once a year. Payload is always the limiting factor with half ton pickups. I pack as much heavy gear (tools, ice chest, etc.) in the trailer as possible and put lighter stuff (water hose, plastic chocks) in the truck. Travel without water if you can source it near your site. Flush on the road with water bottles.

gmckenzie · September 28, 2016

Really, the only way to know is to run the whole setup over a scale and see what you truck weighs when fully hooked up.

If you can, once loaded up, weigh your truck without the trailer, with the trailer hooked up and with the trailer and WDH hooked up. This will give you the best idea of your tongue weight (the difference to the truck weight without the WDH hooked up) and the actual weight added with the WDH hooked up. Some of the tongue weight gets transferred back to the trailer when the WDH is hooked up.

Watch re-distributing weight too much. As ShawnR says, too little tongue weight can give real bad handling issues.

I don't travel with water as my fresh tank is near the front of the trailer.

Waaazooo · September 28, 2016

Really, the only way to know is to run the whole setup over a scale and see what you truck weighs when fully hooked up.

If you can, once loaded up, weigh your truck without the trailer, with the trailer hooked up and with the trailer and WDH hooked up. This will give you the best idea of your tongue weight (the difference to the truck weight without the WDH hooked up) and the actual weight added with the WDH hooked up. Some of the tongue weight gets transferred back to the trailer when the WDH is hooked up.

Watch re-distributing weight too much. As ShawnR says, too little tongue weight can give real bad handling issues.

I don't travel with water as my fresh tank is near the front of the trailer.

My fresh water fill is just forward of the axles 46 gallons. I only filled 23 gallons, but Maryland just has such sketchy water. I hate using water I don't know it's source. But I hear you guys. It might just have to be a necessary evil, bring drinking water and use tank water for dishes and bathroom.

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Sierra Jon · September 28, 2016

When I dry camp I tend to use bottled water for coffee/cooking etc...

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gmckenzie · September 29, 2016

When I dry camp I tend to use bottled water for coffee/cooking etc...

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Ditto. I use bottled (actually, just filtered from home) for drinking/coffee/brushing teeth and use campground water for showers/dishes etc. But I do filter when I fill the tank.

Waaazooo · September 29, 2016

I filter for the tank as well.

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sdeeter19555 · September 29, 2016

I carry my water (43 gals), don't trust the campground's after watching how unhygienic some camper's are with hookups...

We still use bottled water for drinking...

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Snoringbear · November 7, 2016

I have a 2015 CC 6.2/8 spd 4x4 1500 Silverado, tow a 6,000 lb TT with it. I've recently had back surgery so won't be able to hook up my load lever hitch for awhile as using a come-along to attach chains from leveler rods to TT frame requires more grunting than is wise for me to do. So, thinking about installing an Air Lift system and the wireless compressor kit. Anybody use this and if yes, what's your opinion about it? appreciate any feed back available, thanks.

nht mike · November 8, 2016

Get an electric tongue Jack. With it you should be able to lift truck and trailer high enough to put slack in your weight bar chains.

Mike

Snoringbear · November 9, 2016

Get an electric tongue Jack. With it you should be able to lift truck and trailer high enough to put slack in your weight bar chains.

Mike

Thanks. I have one. But, mine doesn't lift high enough to put complete slack in the chains. Some significant grunt is still required and it will be awhile before I'm able to stress my back. Almost forgot, I'm also old

Waaazooo · November 9, 2016

Put your scissor jack under the hitch ball, might have to put it on a block or something.

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SouthernSilveradoGuy85 · November 9, 2016

The rule of thumb with weight distribution is to just put most of the weight over the trailer axles. If you put too much behind the axle(s) then the trailer will want to sway and may make you lose control. From my understanding, trailers have the axles where the center of balance will be with a load so that's where you want the weight.