Question from Ron Gratz post in a sticky
I have been studying Ron Gratz's example of the 2000 pound lift WDH, in the sticky on this forum, and have a question. If the tow vehicle has, say, an 1800 pound payload rating, and loaded for camp...
Forum Discussion
Bobbo wrote:
I have been studying Ron Gratz's example of the 2000 pound lift WDH, in the sticky on this forum, and have a question.
If the tow vehicle has, say, an 1800 pound payload rating, and loaded for camping WITHOUT a WDH you are carrying 1600 pounds of payload, including tongue weight. That means you are 200 pounds below your payload rating.
Now, you add Ron's WDH that shifts 300 pounds to the TT axles. Does that mean you are now 500 pounds below your payload rating?
Thanks,
Bobbo
Hi Bobbo,
I know you are trying to understand this. There is a piece that is not to be forgotten about.
In Ron's example, that 300# was calculated based on the, wheelbase of the truck, the rear overhang of the tow ball behind the rear axle and the distance from the tow ball to the trailer axles.
If you change any of those distances, the amount of weight that moves to the trailer axles will change. If you have a very short camper from tow ball to axles, more weight will go to the trailer. If you have a very long trailer less weight will end up at the trailer axles for the same truck. The same goes for a change in the truck. And this is only when the truck and trailer are level. When the angle between the truck and trailer change(as viewed looking down the center of the truck) as in sweeping banked turns, going over large humps in the road, going up hills down hills, all those transitions can change the WD. This is just normal for the WD hitch. You can go in and out of being over payload capacity if you are sitting on the edge.
You do get some relief on truck GVW when using the WD hitch. But as was said, if you are that close, this is not a good place to be. Every camping trip I go on, there are some changes in truck and camper loading. It just seems to happen. Try and not be on the raged edge all the time. It is not a fun place to be.
If you are looking for a safe number, use all of the tongue weight is held by the truck. Then the small excess shifted to the camper axles from WD is a safety margin for changing camper and truck gear loads.
Hope this helps
John
