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vanvoast's avatar
vanvoast
Explorer
Sep 25, 2017

Tongue Weigh Safety

HiYa!
I'm lookin to buy and mount on my trailer toungue a Champion Duel Fuel 3500 Generator. I plan to mount it above two 40 pound propane gass cylinders. My trailer is a 2016 26' Connect Spree pulled by a 2017 Dodge Ram Big Horn Laramie with a 5.7L HEMI V8. It also has the integrated towing system which they call the Activ-Level Four-Corner Air Suspension System which "counteracts Weight from trailing/hauling, maintains an even and level profile when loaded and keeps constant the rake from the front end to the rear". "The dash mounted integrated switchback let's you raise or lower the vehicle and let's you control the gain trailer brake gain while towing."
Could any of you fine fellow RVnetters advise me whether the following proposed setup on the trailer tongue are safe to pull?
Champion Generator: 112 lbs
Two filled 40 lb propane tanks: 140 lbs total
12 volt battery: 40 lbs
Dry Hitch Weight: 490 pounds
(Total tongue Weight above): 782 lbs
Trailer UVW: 5,200 lbs
Trailer GVWR: 6,800
Thanks! Joe

9 Replies

  • atwowheelguy's avatar
    atwowheelguy
    Explorer
    Sep 27, 2017
    Why go on a forum and ask someone to guess what your trailer tongue and hitch weights are and what your payload and axle ratings are?

    Take it to the CAT scales and see what it weighs now. Then just do the math and add the weight of the generator. The weight on the hitch ball is proportional to the distance from the generator to the ball and to the trailer axles.
  • Lynnmor's avatar
    Lynnmor
    Explorer
    Sep 26, 2017
    While you need to get accurate weights, I would disregard all that advertising gibberish. No amount or air, electronics and other gizmos will magically make weight go away.
  • GordonThree's avatar
    GordonThree
    Explorer
    Sep 26, 2017
    Load 'r up and go, the ratings are there to keep lawyers in business.

    My little trailer with it's 400 lb tongue made my 1500 sag awful. I put some Sumo brand foam spring helpers in the rear suspension, that helped correct the sag.
  • bikendan's avatar
    bikendan
    Explorer
    Sep 26, 2017
    The OP has a RAM 1500, which are known for the worst payload capacities for 1/2 truck's.
    I'm betting he doesn't have enough payload capacity for what he wants to do.
  • goducks10's avatar
    goducks10
    Explorer
    Sep 26, 2017
    Old-Biscuit wrote:
    Trailer tongue weight is going to be closer to 950/1000# by the time you load trailer for 'camping'

    What is the truck receiver rating?
    What is the 'cargo carrying capacity' (payload) of truck? (Door jamb tire data sticker)

    x2
  • TurnThePage's avatar
    TurnThePage
    Explorer
    Sep 26, 2017
    The class 4 on my '15 Ram 1500 is limited to 1100 lbs. I don't notice anywhere that specifies that a weight distributing hitch is required with that weight. The 500 lb limit is for the bumper mounted hitch.

    To the OP, regardless of that auto-leveling air suspension, I would use a weight distributing hitch. Just remember that tongue weight counts against your total payload weight for that truck. That heavy of a tongue weight combined with the weight of the passengers in the truck will be already getting close.

    For the record, I have a similar truck and a trailer with a similar or heavier tongue weight, and a similar Champion generator that I'm seriously considering adding to the tongue. I may occasionally exceed the payload/gross vehicle weight rating, but I won't even be close to the max gross axle ratings. Since the hitch is rated to 1100 lbs, I'm not even sweating that part.
  • GordonThree's avatar
    GordonThree
    Explorer
    Sep 25, 2017
    I seem to recall my '13 Ram 1500 Class 4 hitch was rated for 500 lbs "weight carrying" and 1000 lbs "weight distributing" ... It should be stamped right on the receiver, and also in the manual.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Sep 25, 2017
    Trailer tongue weight is going to be closer to 950/1000# by the time you load trailer for 'camping'

    What is the truck receiver rating?
    What is the 'cargo carrying capacity' (payload) of truck? (Door jamb tire data sticker)

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