Hitch weight ?

My shorter FB2200 Weekend Warrior was like yours in regards to tongue weight change due to the axles pushed farther back on the frame. For a long time, I couldn't figure out why travel trailers could pivot tighter than me even though they were longer until I looked closer at the wheelbase length to the tongue and realized most TT's have their axles at mid point and while TH's have them about 2/3 to 3/4 of the length back. My TW was not nearly as heavy as yours even though we had the same tank capacities because my underside was almost filled front to back with waste, fresh and fuel tanks putting more over or behind the axle than yours.

2500 Grunt wrote:
Not all toy haulers are as stated above. My TW does not change at all with my 1400# sand rail in mine. I use a Sherline scale for mine and that is what I found out.

I also have used the Sherline scale, and find the same results as you.
On my TH with a RZR loaded with rear wheels almost up against the ramp door, and 2 quads loaded, the TW decreases approximately 50 lbs. Now add full water tanks (160gal) and total TW increases approximately 100lbs. Not much change considering the TW is always over 2000 lb.

The rearward axle placement in most all TH's, will not let you get much weight far behind the axles, percentage wise. The weight that you can get behind the axles, with not much leverage(distance behind axles) does little to counter the very large amount of weight with lots of distance in front of axles,(lots of leverage).

jmo

Not all toy haulers are as stated above. My TW does not change at all with my 1400# sand rail in mine. I use a Sherline scale for mine and that is what I found out.

Normal for toyhaulers to have a higher percentage of their total weight on the hitch ball than regular TTs as loaded toys/gear in the rear will alleviate a portion of tongue weight. Traveling without toys greatly intensifies this issue, it's important to make sure your TV's hitch receiver is up to the task. I do like the KZ MXT toyhaulers and they are relatively light for their size, they appear to offer a good value for the price.

Howdy...

Buy whatever you like and tow the dam thing.

Have fun, be safe..Enjoy!!!

Bedlam wrote:
Just wait until you fill the tanks - Most TH's have over 1000 lbs tongue weight. My OEM 12.5K lb receiver was just barely adequate for my 11.5K lb GVWR Weekend Warrior FB2200 TH.

Indeed!

Just wait until you fill the tanks - Most TH's have over 1000 lbs tongue weight. My OEM 12.5K lb receiver was just barely adequate for my 11.5K lb GVWR Weekend Warrior FB2200 TH.

bumper pull.......10-15% of trailer GVWR for tongue weight
5th wheel.........15-25% of trailer GVWR for pin weight


Are your posted numbers (900/950/980) 'dry' weight numbers published by mfg.?
I suspect they are as you have only posted 'dry' trailer weights.

Trailer loaded up camp ready........weights will be much higher. That is why you guesstimate tongue/hitch weight by using the % of GVWR so that you can match it to what your tow vehicle actual payload capacity can handle
Payload-------tow vehicles GVWR minus actual camp ready weight, paying particular attention to rear axle/tire load capacities.

Toy Haulers always have a very high hitch weight. While many standard travel trailers & 5th wheels say 10-15% a toy hauler can easily be 15-20+%. There is some (small) amount of counterbalance when you load things behind the wheels, but on a triple axle that will be limited. Key is to make sure your truck can handle it and that your hitch can handle it. Numbers are often wrong so you're only real way to know is to have it weighed.

From your posting, 900 to 980 lbs is not much of a variance IMO..

Its all on the options that make the weights different.. ie: King bed vs queen bed in front, Configuration of dressers or nightstands, overhead cabinets, slides....etc...

80 lbs one way or another should not make a difference with regards to tow vehicle or shopping if your looking in the 1000 lbs range of tongue weight.. If it does then you have other issues with regards to payload capacity.....