Forum Discussion

waldreps's avatar
waldreps
Explorer
May 16, 2015

Tongue Weight

I've just recently got a 1998 Dutchmen Aristocrat 24FL-D travel trailer. The dry weight from the factory is 4514lbs. I thought I would be able to tow this with my Sport Trac but I found out after the fact that the tongue weight on this camper is ridiculous. It's a double axle 24' long camper weighing 4514lbs dry. I weighed it yesterday and the tongue weight is 880lbs which is exactly what Dutchmen lists in a brochure I found online. That is before the propane tanks are filled, the battery is added and the water tank is filled....all of which are right on the front. I've always heard that the tongue weight should be between 10% and 15% of the camper weight. I can't believe that Dutchmen would design a camper with the tongue weight being almost 20% of the weight. I'm just frustrated with that. Any thoughts?

7 Replies

  • waldreps's avatar
    waldreps
    Explorer
    May 16, 2015
    Nope, won't be buying a tow vehicle anytime soon. Can't afford that. I'll just borrow a truck for now and make it work. Most other campers in the 24' range that I've looked at now after finding out how much my tongue weight is have a tongue weight in the 450lb range. Not sure why they made mine with such a high tongue weight.
  • mowermech's avatar
    mowermech
    Explorer
    May 16, 2015
    bgum wrote:
    Shouldn't have any sway problems.


    That was my first thought, too.

    I see a 3/4 ton pickup in the OP's future.
  • AH64ID's avatar
    AH64ID
    Explorer
    May 16, 2015
    Sounds like you are TV shopping too. At least it will tow great. I love the way my TT tows with 15-18% TW.

    Dry weight can be off by quite a bit based on options. The TW percentage may not be as high as you think.
  • OutdoorPhotogra's avatar
    OutdoorPhotogra
    Explorer
    May 16, 2015
    What is your TW limit for your TV?
    What is your other limitations? Cargo, GCWR, tow rating?

    What is the GVWR for the TT?

    If you are close on TW and have slack in other numbers you might be able to add weight to the rear to take weight off the tongue - but you need to add 100lbs for a WDH as well.
  • LarryJM's avatar
    LarryJM
    Explorer II
    May 16, 2015
    K Charles wrote:
    It won't help this time but may help someone else. You should research what you are going to buy before you buy it. Maybe you will have to run with no water and load enough stuff in the back of the TT to get the tongue weight down.


    I agree and this just demonstrates how much tongue weight can vary. Too bad you didn't do enough research or asked about the unit here before buying. Not much you can do except trade in the TT or get a TV that can handle the TW.

    Larry
  • K_Charles's avatar
    K_Charles
    Explorer
    May 16, 2015
    It won't help this time but may help someone else. You should research what you are going to buy before you buy it. Maybe you will have to run with no water and load enough stuff in the back of the TT to get the tongue weight down.

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