Weight Master, check my readings
Trying to get it setup on my new trailer. Truck F: 3380 R: 2800 With WD F: 3420 R:3580 Trailer 4960 Without WD F:3100 R:4100 Trailer 4740 Thanks Michael
Forum Discussion
Prior to the adjustment he made, I'd say the rig was plenty good 'nuff. By my calculations (and I fudged the trailer's axle weight in the non-WDH weights to get the GCW the same with both passes), my trusty spreadsheet shows the following data:
Actual Trailer Weights
Gross Axle Weight 4,760 lbs
Tongue Weight 1,020 lbs
Gross Trailer Weight 5,780 lbs
Tongue Weight (% of GTW) 17.65%
Weight Distributing Hitch Effect
Weight Levered off Rear Axle 520 lbs
Weight Transfer to Steer Axle 320 lbs
Weight Transfer to Trailer Axle 200 lbs
Safety Margin
Steer Axle 530 lbs
Rear Axle 370 lbs
Trailer GVWR -5,780 lbs
Gross Combined Weight -11,960 lbs
The way I see it, with that setup, a 100lb dog isn't going to be toeing the line with 900lbs of available capacity left no matter where he sits!
After making the hitch adjustment, there is a 200lb difference in the gross weight of the rig, so for the sake of making the numbers work, I'm going to spread that weight out over the two tow vehicle axles at 100lbs each.
That shows the following:
Gross Axle Weight 4,740 lbs
Tongue Weight 1,020 lbs
Gross Trailer Weight 5,760 lbs
Tongue Weight (% of GTW) 17.71%
Weight Distributing Hitch Effect
Weight Levered off Rear Axle 360 lbs
Weight Transfer to Steer Axle 180 lbs
Weight Transfer to Trailer Axle 180 lbs
Trailer Effect on Tow Vehicle
Weight added to rear axle 1,300 lbs
Weight transferred from front axle 280 lbs
Actual Tongue Weight 1,020 lbs
Safety Margin
Steer Axle 670 lbs
Rear Axle 210 lbs
Trailer GVWR -5,760 lbs
Gross Combined Weight -11,940 lbs
I'm still not seeing an ssue with a 100lb dog no matter where he sits in either setup.
Personally, I like the original setup better. In the original setup, the tongue weight transferred 280 lbs off the front axle, but the WDH restored 320lbs to it. Slightly high, yes, but 40 lbs isn't a huge difference.
In the second setup, the trailer still transfers 280lbs off the steer axle, but only restored 180 lbs back to it, leaving it 100lbs light.
Actual Trailer Weights
Gross Axle Weight 4,760 lbs
Tongue Weight 1,020 lbs
Gross Trailer Weight 5,780 lbs
Tongue Weight (% of GTW) 17.65%
Weight Distributing Hitch Effect
Weight Levered off Rear Axle 520 lbs
Weight Transfer to Steer Axle 320 lbs
Weight Transfer to Trailer Axle 200 lbs
Safety Margin
Steer Axle 530 lbs
Rear Axle 370 lbs
Trailer GVWR -5,780 lbs
Gross Combined Weight -11,960 lbs
The way I see it, with that setup, a 100lb dog isn't going to be toeing the line with 900lbs of available capacity left no matter where he sits!
After making the hitch adjustment, there is a 200lb difference in the gross weight of the rig, so for the sake of making the numbers work, I'm going to spread that weight out over the two tow vehicle axles at 100lbs each.
That shows the following:
Gross Axle Weight 4,740 lbs
Tongue Weight 1,020 lbs
Gross Trailer Weight 5,760 lbs
Tongue Weight (% of GTW) 17.71%
Weight Distributing Hitch Effect
Weight Levered off Rear Axle 360 lbs
Weight Transfer to Steer Axle 180 lbs
Weight Transfer to Trailer Axle 180 lbs
Trailer Effect on Tow Vehicle
Weight added to rear axle 1,300 lbs
Weight transferred from front axle 280 lbs
Actual Tongue Weight 1,020 lbs
Safety Margin
Steer Axle 670 lbs
Rear Axle 210 lbs
Trailer GVWR -5,760 lbs
Gross Combined Weight -11,940 lbs
I'm still not seeing an ssue with a 100lb dog no matter where he sits in either setup.
Personally, I like the original setup better. In the original setup, the tongue weight transferred 280 lbs off the front axle, but the WDH restored 320lbs to it. Slightly high, yes, but 40 lbs isn't a huge difference.
In the second setup, the trailer still transfers 280lbs off the steer axle, but only restored 180 lbs back to it, leaving it 100lbs light.
