Weight Master, check my readings

Ron Gratz wrote:

Terryallan wrote:

lbrjet wrote:
Terryallen, your are including the 280lbs removed from the front axle in your 1300lb tongue weight. The TW is actually 1020.

Personally I could care less about a little squat. My F250 sits an inch higher in the front with nothing attached due to the giant springs that are part of the snow plow package. Not all trucks sit high in the back unloaded. And the rear squating a bit does not automatically mean it is not set up correctly.

Actually I wasn't, but I got my tongue weight from the last set of numbers he had. 2800lb unloaded rear axle, and a 4100lb loaded rear axle. Come to 1300lb. Meaning he has an approx 22% tongue weight. Pretty high. Not only is the truck over loaded, but so is the receiver. Seriously needs to move some weight in the TT.

The tongue weight indicated by the scales numbers was not 1300#. The indicated TW was 1020#.

The indicated TW% was 1020/5780 = 17.6% or 1020/5760 = 17.7% -- take your choice. The indicated TW is not approx 22%.

You cannot calculate TW by using only the increase in rear axle load.
You must use the sum of the front plus rear load (when hitched with no WD applied) minus the sum of the front plus rear load (for TV only).
For the OP's weights, the indicated TW is (3100+4100) - (3380+2800) = 1020#.

Ron

But Ron. Does the 220lb transferred to the TT not count in the tongue weight? It is in fact tongue weight. It has just been moved, but the entire weight including the weight transferred is going thru the receiver on the truck.

I have always been taught. that the total weight of the tongue, before transferring. Is the actual tongue weight of the trailer. After all. That is what you get when you weigh the tongue by it self. If that weight is 1000lbs, then the tongue weight is 1000lbs. If it is 500 then it is 500, and if it is 1200 or more that is what it is. The only way to know how much weight the TT actually adds to the truck is to weigh the tongue by it self.

At any rate. Even if it is 1020lbs. It is still too much. Something is NOT right. A -6000lb TT should NOT have a 1000lb tongue weight. It should be in the 720lb range

Terryallan wrote:

lbrjet wrote:
Terryallen, your are including the 280lbs removed from the front axle in your 1300lb tongue weight. The TW is actually 1020.

Personally I could care less about a little squat. My F250 sits an inch higher in the front with nothing attached due to the giant springs that are part of the snow plow package. Not all trucks sit high in the back unloaded. And the rear squating a bit does not automatically mean it is not set up correctly.

Actually I wasn't, but I got my tongue weight from the last set of numbers he had. 2800lb unloaded rear axle, and a 4100lb loaded rear axle. Come to 1300lb. Meaning he has an approx 22% tongue weight. Pretty high. Not only is the truck over loaded, but so is the receiver. Seriously needs to move some weight in the TT.

The tongue weight indicated by the scales numbers was not 1300#. The indicated TW was 1020#.

The indicated TW% was 1020/5780 = 17.6% or 1020/5760 = 17.7% -- take your choice. The indicated TW is not approx 22%.

You cannot calculate TW by using only the increase in rear axle load.
You must use the sum of the front plus rear load (when hitched with no WD applied) minus the sum of the front plus rear load (for TV only).
For the OP's weights, the indicated TW is (3100+4100) - (3380+2800) = 1020#.

Ron

bigcitypopo wrote:
thats 1500lbs, ( driver 180-220lbs, full tank a fuel)

Id find some level ground.. get the hitch adjusted properly... It took me a few tries and 20 mile tows to get it feeling right. No white knuckle here.

He is set up best he is going to get.. He is taking over 500 lbs off the rear and restoring the front as best he can. If he tries to take more off rear he will add more weight to front axd thats not desireable. You only want to restore the front to stock weight never over.

Also I go by axle weights. IMO its fine to go over GVWR. Its what we do in the commercial sector as it based on axleweights and tires..

The tires carry the load...

thats 1500lbs, ( driver 180-220lbs, full tank a fuel)

Id find some level ground.. get the hitch adjusted properly... It took me a few tries and 20 mile tows to get it feeling right. No white knuckle here.

According to the pictures of the OP's truck labels, the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating is 7000 lbs. According to the weights supplied by the OP, with the WD hitch, his axle weights are Front 3420 lbs. and rear 3580 lbs. for a total of 7000 lbs. So, if he adds anything else to the truck (fuel, cargo, more passengers), he will be overloaded. If he adds anything else to the trailer that transfers weight to the truck, he will be overloaded.

I can't see where I have that much in the front compartment, 2 water hoses, 4 fold up chairs, 4ft aluminum ladder, a container with some rope lights, charcoal and small grill. The only thing that's not in the trck is 100pds of dogs.. I think I have 5 washers now.

Hornnumb2 wrote:


Thought it was 1380 but actual 1500

Yes and 1020 of that is TW. Then add your weight with nothing else.Whats that 1200 say? Add a full tank of fuel and.......
That 1500 lbs dont mean much. The most important # is the axle rating on the truck. Those tou do nor want to exceed.

As I stated with the weights you gave you have 370 lbs left on the truck before you go over you axle weights..

There is nothing you can do and thats probably the best your going to get..

Its seems that you have about 1300 lbs of stuff in that camper. I compared it to the stock weight coachmen gives. That may be your problem. Too much stuff.

Again air up tires to max 50 psi when towing. If not those tires will get hot. Hate to see you get a blow out. And with those weights your best off towing solo. Have wife and kids follow or meet you at the camp ground..

Thats what I do as I have same issue. Only 500 lbs to work with before I go over axle rating. But even my s10 dont squat as yours does.. But I only have a 420 lbs TW. 10%

Thought it was 1380 but actual 1500

Hornnumb2 wrote:
Here is the sticker.


And the hitch.


As it was setup the rear is only 1 3/8 lower than the front at the wheel well. I went ahead at dropped it one hole which took the weight off the front but added 100 more to the back. Here are the weights for it
F: 3180 R: 3640 Trailer: 4920

Forgot tires 50pd max at 2469 weight

OK. How many washers are in the ball to tilt it back??

You need to adjust it at more of an angle. Then the bars will take more weight off the rear. But now that I think of it that will add more weight to the front..

You do not want to go over your axle ratings. You only have 370 lbs left to add to your truck before you go over on the rear. Dropping it a notch as you did is not the solution as I did not know what your trucks axle weights were. That made things worse.

The previous set up I think is the best you may get.

The problem is your TW is 1020 lbs and is 17.7%. Dude thats heavy.

What do you have in the camper in front storage?
Who do you plan on carrying in the truck with you?
Was the weights you gave with you in the truck only? ( or wife/kids?)

As your previous weights show I think thats the best you are going to get. Technically you are supposed to restore front axle to truck alone weight, but that 40lbs aint much to worry about.

Hmm.. As was stated your best to get some weight out of the camper..

Can you post model? Its a coachmen right?

Also put max psi in tires when towing..

Last you may need to install a large trans cooler.

There is also a yellow sticker that shows how many pounds you can load in the truck. It is next to that one. It also has the tire info on it.