My trailer has not changed, but the tow vehicle has changed. My 1996 Suburban 3/4 ton 4x4 is dead and I now have a 2001 Suburban 3/4 ton 4x4. So today I went to get the trailer out of storage and setup the weight distribution (WD) for the new truck. As a bonus, since there is a landfill facility about a half mile from storage I figured I'd get some weights and see what input you all can offer. When I asked about the weights the operator asked if I needed certified weights to which I answered no. When I was done weighing and looking at the numbers I can see some discrepancies which makes me wonder if the lady wrote the numbers down wrong, or if their scale is really that off. In the end though I don't think the differences in weights are enough to worry about. At least not at this point in setting up the hitch. Here are the numbers. The truck and trailer look level and pulled fine although there was definitely more porpoising than with the older Suburban. I'm thinking I need more front axle weight although I'm surprised how close the initial numbers seem to be. Any suggestions if it was yours or would you leave it alone?Weights labeled "Whole truck is front and rear wheels on the scale" Rear axle calculated is because there was no way to get rear alone with a trailer hooked up so I subtracted the front axle from the whole truck number.Had to edit this post as I realized that it wasn't clear that the trailer weight was with the trailer still hooked to the hitch.

Assuming your trailer is level or just slightly tongue down when hitched to your Suburban, I would torque the WDH more so you restore most of your unloaded front axle weight. Depending on your WDH, this might require changing the angle of the hitch head or using one link less on the spring bars

Thanks Bedlam, I'm running an Equal-i-zer with 1,000 lb bars. The bars are parallel to the frame when hooked up and I'm using 6 washers. Since the manual states I can run a max of 8 washers I think I'll add one more washer. I just have to go to Home Depot and get a grade 8 washer. My thinking could be wrong, but I'm thinking a grade 5 or worse a grade 2 from the general bolt bin might compress over time.

Other question, can I infer or calculate my tongue weight based on the measurements I already have?

No need for higher grade washers in this applicationThe force needed to deform is way higher than the hitch head is capable, but if there us any movement, there is a wear potential. There should be no movement and if so, something is wrong Yes you can calculate. Need the front suspension spring rate vs distance curve, but just weighing it easierIIRC, a 2001 is the transition year and don't remember if yours has the weak design reciever...that has a "U" bracket that attempts to transfer forces to the bottom of the bumperThat very poor design will NOT easily transfer much more to the front axleIf so, best to replace it. A better and higher rated reciever would be about $200 bucks, plus labor Search on this site using = POS reciever, or GMT800 reciever

Thanks BenK for the input.Yes it has the dreaded U spacer on the hitch. I will eventually replace it but it will have to do for now.Good to know on the washers. I know my engineering is backyard mechanic engineering and that's how I came up with the theory. But I have read enough of your posts including the weight distribution sticky from Ron to believe that you know a lot more about engineering than I do.As far as the tongue weight. Don't know the spring rate so yeah I'll have to just go with not knowing it for now. I guess I could try the bathroom scale technique. But that scale is glass topped for me so I think I'll leave well enough alone.:)

I weighed my setup | Good Sam Community

18 Replies

Bedlam
Moderator
Dec 31, 2019
To me, wheel well heights are measured when you don't have access to a scale. If you can restore all or most the weight to the front axle, you have a good WDH setup and then are only concerned about having a leveled tow vehicle and trailer. I know Ford advises to restore half the height gained on the front wheel wells using weight distribution, but that just seems like crutch for not weighing things out.
Boomerweps
Explorer
Dec 31, 2019
Grit dog wrote:
SOmething seems off, to have 1000-1300lbs tongue weight on a 5klb trailer. Or maybe I read it wrong.

840# based on difference of whole TV weights and not just rear. Tongue weight almost 17% of the listed 5K# TT. Still a bit high.
I would look to add a bit more weight back to the front axle. What are the changes in wheel well heights, with and without the TT hooked up and then with and without the WDH load bars? Those changes are as important as knowing the weight changes.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Dec 31, 2019
SOmething seems off, to have 1000-1300lbs tongue weight on a 5klb trailer. Or maybe I read it wrong.
opnspaces
Navigator II
Dec 31, 2019
Thanks BenK for the input.
Yes it has the dreaded U spacer on the hitch. I will eventually replace it but it will have to do for now.

Good to know on the washers. I know my engineering is backyard mechanic engineering and that's how I came up with the theory. But I have read enough of your posts including the weight distribution sticky from Ron to believe that you know a lot more about engineering than I do.

As far as the tongue weight. Don't know the spring rate so yeah I'll have to just go with not knowing it for now. I guess I could try the bathroom scale technique. But that scale is glass topped for me so I think I'll leave well enough alone.:)
BenK
Explorer
Dec 31, 2019
No need for higher grade washers in this application

The force needed to deform is way higher than the hitch head is capable, but if there us any movement, there is a wear potential. There should be no movement and if so, something is wrong

Yes you can calculate. Need the front suspension spring rate vs distance curve, but just weighing it easier

IIRC, a 2001 is the transition year and don't remember if yours has the weak design reciever...that has a "U" bracket that attempts to transfer forces to the bottom of the bumper

That very poor design will NOT easily transfer much more to the front axle

If so, best to replace it. A better and higher rated reciever would be about $200 bucks, plus labor

Search on this site using = POS reciever, or GMT800 reciever
opnspaces
Navigator II
Dec 31, 2019
Other question, can I infer or calculate my tongue weight based on the measurements I already have?
opnspaces
Navigator II
Dec 31, 2019
Thanks Bedlam, I'm running an Equal-i-zer with 1,000 lb bars. The bars are parallel to the frame when hooked up and I'm using 6 washers. Since the manual states I can run a max of 8 washers I think I'll add one more washer. I just have to go to Home Depot and get a grade 8 washer. My thinking could be wrong, but I'm thinking a grade 5 or worse a grade 2 from the general bolt bin might compress over time.
Bedlam
Moderator
Dec 31, 2019
Assuming your trailer is level or just slightly tongue down when hitched to your Suburban, I would torque the WDH more so you restore most of your unloaded front axle weight. Depending on your WDH, this might require changing the angle of the hitch head or using one link less on the spring bars

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I weighed my setup

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