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Lusson's avatar
Lusson
Explorer
May 10, 2021

First Long Road Trip

Well I'm a first time camper owner and seeing if there is anything I'm missing to be ready for our long trips this summer.

I have a 36' long Travel Trailer finally I believe got my Hitch setup right after taking it to the scale last week. I may do some more checks after the items below.

Installing a second Curt Sway Bar
Getting Load Range E Tires put on my SUV
Got things weighed and got my hitch weight at 950lbs on a 7700lb trailer. With everything loaded in my SUV.
Front and Rear Tires are same spacing as unloaded with Dist. Hitch System.

Only thing curious is the tires and second sway bar will increase travel comfort. On my Dist. hitch I had it on the 3rd link and here is the info I had from the scale.
No Trailer Axle Weights
Front 3340lbs with 36" Spacing
Rear 3480lbs with 36" spacing

Axle Weights On Link 3
Front 3220lbs with 36" spacing
Rear 4540lbs with 33" Spacing
20% Tounge weight

Axle Weights On Link 4
Front 3340lbs with 36" spacing
Rear 4360lbs with 34 3/4" spacing
15% Tounge weight

I'm going to see if I go up to link 5 if that does anything and weight it again but thinking link 4 is the one to go with. But noticed if I got above 65mph on link 3 it got a little light so see how it goes on link 4 and even link 5 for driving comfort.
  • Lusson's avatar
    Lusson
    Explorer
    May 10, 2021
    The weights that I posted are the Axle weights from a scale weigh. Yes pulling it with a 3/4 ton EL Expedition with Transmission Cooler and Heavy Duty towing package.

    My Towing capacity is 9400lbs and the scale said with everything I have loaded it weighs 7700lbs on the travel trailer.

    Updated the post showing the Axle weights yes from the scale empty and with the different link hook-ups.
  • valhalla360's avatar
    valhalla360
    Navigator
    May 10, 2021
    What are you towing with and what are the ratings on that truck? Preferably direct from the door sticker as the websites may not show your exact truck configuration.

    Also, what do you mean by "spacing"? I'm guessing, you are measuring the wheel well height or something but just not clear.

    Do you have the actual axle weights from each weigh (preferably including a weigh with the WDH disconnected also)?

    Something is off on your calculations. 950lb on a 7700lb trailer would be 12.3% hitch weight (or are you implying a 8650lb trailer of which 950lb is on the hitch)...but your summary indicates 20% & 15% hitch weight and if I back calculate, I'm not coming up with 950lb anyway.

    As mentioned above, that's a lot of trailer for most SUVs. Now if you have one of the 3/4 ton suburbans, that might be fine...a lot of the lighter duty SUVs will be pretty marginal.
  • bikendan's avatar
    bikendan
    Explorer
    May 10, 2021
    Sorry to say but unless you have a 3/4 ton SUV, a 36ft long trailer is WAY too much trailer for a 1/2 ton SUV. A good WDH isn't enough.

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