drkirkdc
Des Moines, IA
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My TV has a GVWR of 7200. I just weighed it on a CAT scale fully loaded with my family and a full tank of gas = 6300. I assume this leaves 900 LBS for hitch weight. The TT I am considering purchasing has a dry weight of 5000 and a hitch weight of 500 (10%) according to brouchure (I understand that true sticker weights and GVWR are more important when analizing towing but bear with me please). Does this mean if the TT was loaded to 6500 that the estimated hitch weight would then be 650 (10%)? Also could the percentage be calculated for any TT based on the given weights then therefore you can estimate the loaded hitch weights like this? My rear axle actually was 940 lbs under its GAWR.
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donn0128
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A typical TT should carry between 12 and 15% of its ready to camp weight. Since you dont have that number use 15% of the GVWR as your base line.
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JIMNLIN
out here
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Use the tow vehicles RAWR/tire capacities for carrying hitch weights is fine. Just don't go over those numbers as a 1500 burb axles don't like overloading on a long term basis.
The weak link is P tires on the burb. Many have upgraded to a LT C for less sidewall flex/sway issues.
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Chuck&Gail
In the Colorado Mountains
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As above, use 13 to 15% of the TT GVWR for tongue weight.
The manufacturer tongue weight number has no meaning. It is only used to sucker buyers. Ignore it completely.
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skipnchar
Topeka or somewhere else
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It is not impossible that it will maintain that 10% hitch weight but it is also VERY possible that it will be quite a bit different. It is very likely that it will be different for each owner based on what they carry and where they store it. Everything you put inside the trailer aft of the axles reduces tongue weight and everything carried forward of the axles increases tongue weight. This is the reason trailer tongue weights are said to range from 10% to 15% of the trailers actual weight. The SAFE way to estimate weight is to assume it will weigh 15% of the trailers GVWR, once it is fully loaded. Using this means you're taking the "worst case" and applying it to your situation so you KNOW you'll be OK (or that you have strong evidence that you may not). The ONLY true means of determining the exact tongue weight is a CAT scale weight ticket when everything is loaded but that only takes place AFTER your purchase (another good reason to take the worst case data).
DO remember though, that you CAN actually control tongue weight to a degree simply by choosing where you carry which items but of course this has it's limitations and may not always mean things are as convenient as they COULD be.
Good luck / Skip
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eric james
Sioux Falls, SD
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Skip's advice is spot on. It all depends on what you carry and where.
Perfect world equation in my book:
(dry weight + 1000 lbs) X 13% = tongue weight
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Cedarhill
Deep South
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I think it is worthwhile to actually measure tongue weight rather than try to guess it. You can either use a commercial scale such as "CAT" scales which are widely available or you can do it yourself with a regular bathroom scale. The do-it-yourself method involves a contraption that divides the weight in half or thirds and you calculate the actual weight.
* This post was
edited 02/04/12 10:00am by Cedarhill *
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anaro
Cary, NC
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Skip is right but one caveat to remember, putting too much weight in the rear of a trailer and not enough up front can induce sway conditions in a trailer.
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Lantley
Ellicott City, Maryland
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anaro wrote:Skip is right but one caveat to remember, putting too much weight in the rear of a trailer and not enough up front can induce sway conditions in a trailer.
Good advice you can control TW do a degree by where you load your cargo. You should shoot to have a TW of 13%-15% of your actual loaded weight.
If the OP assumes his loaded weight to be 6500lbs. Than 13% of 6500=845. Which puts you within the GVW of your tow vehicle.
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Ron Gratz
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drkirkdc wrote:My TV has a GVWR of 7200. I just weighed it on a CAT scale fully loaded with my family and a full tank of gas = 6300. I assume this leaves 900 LBS for hitch weight.--- Does "fully loaded" mean loaded as it would be for a camping trip? Also, you need to add the weight of a weight distribution hitch and bars (perhaps another 100#). So, the TV's remaining payload capacity probably is closer to 800# or less.
Quote:---The TT I am considering purchasing has a dry weight of 5000 and a hitch weight of 500 (10%) according to brouchure (I understand that true sticker weights and GVWR are more important when analizing towing but bear with me please). Does this mean if the TT was loaded to 6500 that the estimated hitch weight would then be 650 (10%)?--- I assume by "estimated hitch weight" you mean estimated tongue weight. IMO, a "dry" TW% of 10% does not mean the loaded TW% is likely to be 10%. I agree with those who believe the loaded TW will be closer to 13% of the trailer's loaded weight.
However, when using weight distribution, not all of the TW is carried by the TV. With a properly sized and properly adjusted WDH, it is reasonable to assume that only about 75% of the TW is carried by the TV. This means it is reasonable to assume that the load added to the TV would be around 13%x75% = about 10% of the TT's loaded weight.
So, for your hypothetical 6500# TT, you could estimate that, when using a WDH, the TT would add about 650# to the load carried by the TV.
Ron
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