Weight of hitch for calculating tongue weight

dnhx wrote:
--Since we are new to towing, I am considering the Pro-Pride hitch, which I understand is around 200 lbs. Does the weight of the hitch add to the TV payload or is the weight considered as part of the trailer weight?

The portions of a HA/PP hitch which are forward of the linkage bars are rigidly connected to and turn with the TV. The weight of these components should be treated as part of the TV's cargo.
The portions of a HA/PP hitch which are rearward of the linkage bars are rigidly connected to and turn with the TT. The weight of these components should be treated as part of the TT and contribute to its tongue weight.
A reasonable approximation is to assume that 50% of the weight of an HA/PP hitch is TV cargo and 50% adds to TT weight and TW.

If the loaded TT weighs 6300# and the hitch weighs 200#, you can assume the tongue weight can be about 12% of (6300+100) = about 770#.
Since the HA/PP is a weight distributing hitch, you can assume that the TT will cause a vertical load equal to about 770*0.80 = about 600# to be added to the TV. About 170# will be transferred to the TT's axles.
The total vertical load added to the TV will be about 100# (front portion of the hitch) plus 600# = 700#.

If your loading of the TV does indeed leave an available payload of 1000#, we can estimate that the 6300# TT would cause the TV to be loaded to within 300# of its GVWR.

Please be aware that the assumed "GVW" of 5800# probably is less than the actual factory-delivered "empty weight" of an Expedition.
To get a better estimate of payload, you should use the "Weight of Occupants and Cargo should not exceed" value printed on the TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION sticker found on the driver's door edge/pillar of an actual vehicle.
You might find the available payload is closer to 700# than 1000#.

Ron

It's going to be close, but I've seen Ford Expeditions towing similar TTs. The Pro-Pride hitch is a step in the right direction and will help with the shorter wheelbase of your TV. Pack lightly and if possible don't carry too much water to keep tongue weight from creeping too high.

With the Ecoboost you should have plenty of grunt to get you where you are going, no need to hurry anyway, that way you could enjoy the sights along the way. Have lots of great times in your new TT!!!

The hitch itself would have to be considered as taking away from the payload on your TV. So if you have a 200lb hitch then really you're left with 800lbs available for tongue weight not 1000lbs.

The hitch unit is weighing down the tow vehicle. A small amount may be borne by the trailer's axle, but it is much closer to the truck so almost all the weight goes there. I think it has to count against both the allowed hitch weight and the payload of the truck.