Coast Resorts Open Roads Forum: What's wrong with too much tongue weight?


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flintsters

Vermont

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Posted: 02/05/18 07:04am

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I understand that too little tongue weight will lead to sway and that the target is between 10-15%, but are there any consequences to having more than that? I don't have concerns with my payload or WDH since I purposely purchased more than I'd need to keep myself well within the safe zone. I guess I'm wondering if it's best to air on the side of too much rather than too little while we're traveling and don't have access to scales.

2012 Jayco Jay Feather Select 29L
2015 Chevy 2500 Duramax

GordonThree

Northern Michigan

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Posted: 02/05/18 07:34am

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In the extreme I imagine it's bad for the frame or the coupler at least, everything has a weight limit of some sort.

If you're towing level and your truck headlights aren't aimed for the moon, no problem is my guess.

2013 KZ Sportsmen Classic 200, 20 ft TT
2020 RAM 1500, 5.7 4x4, 8 speed

ken56

Tennessee

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Posted: 02/05/18 07:40am

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Do you know the weight rating of the receiver on your tow vehicle? How about the rear axle weight rating? You did not say what tow vehicle you have only that you bought "more than I need". What do you have exactly? That would help.

troubledwaters

Potomac

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Posted: 02/05/18 07:46am

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There is no down side to having more than 15% tongue weight.

flintsters

Vermont

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Posted: 02/05/18 08:01am

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I have a 2015 Chevy 2500 diesel and towing a TT (Jay Feather 29L @ 34 ft bumper to hitch) with max weight of 7500 lbs. WDH is a Reese Steadi-Flex with 1200 lb bars. Besides the TT we'll be having 5 bikes and a generator in the truck bed (total of about 250-300 lbs). When I hook up the TT the front of my truck fenders does not change whether WDH is engaged or not. I am still trying to figure out the WDH, however, because it seems like I am getting more movement back there then I feel like I should. Seems like when I get up around 55-60 it feels like a little sway and also happens a fair amount with passing trucks.

bobndot

USA

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Posted: 02/05/18 08:15am

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In general, too much would lower the trucks payload, stress components like tires, brakes, suspension, bearings, weight distribution bars, reduce front end steering and possibly stress the frame on the trailer.

to better understand the engineering, read the following by Ron Gratz.

https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/14265335.cfm

SoundGuy

S Ontario

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Posted: 02/05/18 08:58am

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flintsters wrote:

So what does your 29L's GVW average loaded & ready to camp and what's it's average gross tongue weight? ... enough that you're concerned that you are well over 15%? [emoticon]