Relocate batteries to reduce tongue weight
I would like to reduce the tongue weight of our 2009 WW FB2100. There are currently 2 6v batteries mounted on a rack on the tongue. There is enough depth at the rear to mount them under the bed of the...
Forum Discussion
Hap Hazard wrote:
... I strongly suggest you (he) locate a pilot and do some calculations. Every pilot must know weight and balance for his aircraft. They measure the distance from the center of gravity to the location of the weight. Using a formula they can determine the new center of gravity. By proper loading they can shift the center of gravity forward or back.
It sound like you’ll be removing nearly 100% of the weight from the forward position but only shifting a small portion of that weight behind the axle. To be most effective you should move that weight as far back as you can to accomplish your desired hitch weight.
I used to know a few pilots. I worked on the F-14 software for many years. It is correct that 100% of the weight would be removed from the forward position and another 100% would be removed from the tongue if I could put them 11ft behind the axles. However, there is only 4ft behind the axles. Even 80lbs off the tongue would be good. This is not an airplane, it's a teeter totter. I was only looking at a possibility for lowering the tongue weight on my Expy as it is close to it's max in case loading for a trip is different than normal. I have done approximate calculations and it looked interesting. When I get the trailer loaded normally after a couple of trips I will weigh the tongue, then place the batteries temporarily in the back and reweigh. That will give me exact info.
