jarozi
Houston, TX
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I assume the numbers are all over the map here but I'm looking for an estimate of how much weight typically get's added to the dry tongue weight of a trailer. Assume I add 1000 lbs. of 'stuff' inside the trailer, the LP tanks are full, the water tanks are empty, and I'm using an HA or PP hitch.
I have 1130 lbs rated hitch, but am targeting < 904 lbs loaded. Thanks!
* This post was
edited 01/26/12 03:42pm by jarozi *
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downtheroad
Pacific Northwest
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Rough estimate and I mean rough is to take the GVWR of the trailer and multiply by 13%.
To be very safe and cover all bets, use 15% of the GVWR.
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smildrum
Durham,Maine
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It also depends on where you're adding the weight-forward or aft of the axles and how far.
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hilandfrog
Montana
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Both Black and gray tanks were a few feet aft of the rear axle.
And our Fresh water (45 gal at the time) was all the way up front.
So the weight was changing locations from front heavy to back heavy in a big way, greatly changing the way the TT would tow.
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Francesca Knowles
Port Hadlock, Washington
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Unfortunately, tongue weights as given in trailer specs are as they come off the assembly line...and don't even include the battery and propane tanks most of us carry on the tongue.
Tongue weight in my opinion is as much a "target" as anything else.
For optimum handling, it should be in the 8 to 10% range of total trailer weight as measured when the trailer is fully loaded.
The only real way to calculate the proper weight is going to be to weigh the loaded trailer and do the math.
The result will tell you how much weight you SHOULD have at the tongue, and if necessary you can rearrange the load to achieve it.
This can be a real juggling act for folks with itty bitty trailers (like me)!
But in a trailer the size of the one you describe, it's likely that the design already provides storage/haulage places in such a way as to maintain the proper ratio when loaded.
* This post was
edited 01/26/12 04:56pm by Francesca Knowles *
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skipnchar
Topeka or somewhere else
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Your loaded tongue weight can be anywhere from 10% to 15% of the trailers actual weight. Mine is right at 15% of my GVWR or 1,200 lb.
Good luck / Skip
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ktmrfs
Portland, Oregon
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my "dry" tongue weight was about 700lbs. Now add 60lbs of propane, 150lbs of batterys,and I'm over 900 with an EMPTY trailer. Then add most of the weight of stuff in the pass through and my other stuff, and my tongue weight w/o any water in the fresh tank is a shade under 1300lbs. Full water tank and it's a shade over 1400lb. Works out to right at 15% of trailer weight. Now my fridge, water tanks, WH and pantry are all forward (towards tongue) of the trailer. A lot will depend on where you heavier items are in relation to the trailer axles.
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LIKE2BUILD
Mt. Zion, IL
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downtheroad wrote:Rough estimate and I mean rough is to take the GVWR of the trailer and multiply by 13%.
To be very safe and cover all bets, use 15% of the GVWR.
If you're in the process of window (Internet) shopping this is a very safe way to go.
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beemerphile1
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Francesca Knowles wrote:
Tongue weight...For optimum handling, it should be in the 8 to 10% range of total trailer weight as measured when the trailer is fully loaded...
I disagree, normally tongue weight should be a minimum of 10% and generally is 13% - 15%.
Tim
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Francesca Knowles
Port Hadlock, Washington
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Heavier is DEFINITELY better!
Maybe I should have said it should be a "minimum" of 8 to 10%...
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