I am in learning fact finding mode. Shopping used and in no hurry. Though I have issues thinking hitch weight. My 2016 Ram Crew toeing capacity 10,200. Cargo 1333. Just me and my wife in truck maybe a small cooler, everything else in TT. The trailers I like at this time: 2018 202RD 25ft length GVWR 6000# hitch 471#2014 Passport 25ft GVWR 5440# hitch 495#My/our favorite:2016 Jayco WH series M-24rks 29 ft. GVWR 6500# hitch 600#I plan to use a Weight Distrubution hitch. With that said. What issues am I looking at having a TT with 500 to 600 hitch weight. I am expierenced pulling boats and pst TT upto 27 ft. Just looking for pros and cons of these set ups, before buying? Mostly flat lands of Florida. Thanks Tomm

Even if these TT may not be the one we take home I’d like to know why and why not buy one with a hitch weight around 500? And what weight I should shot for? With an understanding the hitch weight is best to be 10 to 15% of the TT. Thanks. I am one to over think things. But wish to but once and do it where I don’t dread the towing! Thanks

Hitch weights you posted are DRY based on DRY trailer weightREAL hitch weight will be HIGHERExample: 2016 Jayco WH series M-24rksDRY weight is 5210# with dry hitch of 605# (11.6%)GVWR is 6500# ....11.6%----754# wet tongue weight Always figure Dry weight/tongue % and then use that as 'guesstimate' on what Wet tongue would be.Real world wet tongue is what you need to match against trucks ratings....most importantly the trucks Axle & Tire ratings2016 RAM 1500FAWR----3700#RAWR----3900#

Thanks. So I’ll go and look at the door jam sticker for truck axel ratings. That may open another can of worms! ??. Wow so the 605# dry hitch could go to 800# when including WD hitch? Making the Jayco M-24rks an unlikely TT for me. Thanks for the dry weight wet weight % explanation. Something I may never have been told until I asked. Thanks Tomm

"Cargo 1333", meaning payload, is only 1333? 262 pounds less than my 2015 Tahoe and newer Tahoes are more. Very limiting.

Those advertised tongue weights are without Batteries, propane and tanks, and with no electric jack, those weights will all go up substantially. For a trailer GVWR around 6000, count on the tongue weight being 700-800.

Hitch weight? | Good Sam Community

WTW
Explorer
Mar 18, 2019
Even if these TT may not be the one we take home I’d like to know why and why not buy one with a hitch weight around 500? And what weight I should shot for? With an understanding the hitch weight is best to be 10 to 15% of the TT.
Thanks.
I am one to over think things. But wish to but once and do it where I don’t dread the towing!
Thanks
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Mar 18, 2019
Hitch weights you posted are DRY based on DRY trailer weight

REAL hitch weight will be HIGHER

Example: 2016 Jayco WH series M-24rks
DRY weight is 5210# with dry hitch of 605# (11.6%)
GVWR is 6500# ....11.6%----754# wet tongue weight

Always figure Dry weight/tongue % and then use that as 'guesstimate' on what Wet tongue would be.
Real world wet tongue is what you need to match against trucks ratings....most importantly the trucks Axle & Tire ratings

2016 RAM 1500
FAWR----3700#
RAWR----3900#
WTW
Explorer
Mar 18, 2019
Thanks. So I’ll go and look at the door jam sticker for truck axel ratings. That may open another can of worms! ??. Wow so the 605# dry hitch could go to 800# when including WD hitch? Making the Jayco M-24rks an unlikely TT for me. Thanks for the dry weight wet weight % explanation. Something I may never have been told until I asked. Thanks Tomm
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Mar 18, 2019
"Cargo 1333", meaning payload, is only 1333? 262 pounds less than my 2015 Tahoe and newer Tahoes are more. Very limiting.
wanderingaimles
Explorer
Mar 18, 2019
Those advertised tongue weights are without Batteries, propane and tanks, and with no electric jack, those weights will all go up substantially. For a trailer GVWR around 6000, count on the tongue weight being 700-800.
ktmrfs
Explorer II
Mar 19, 2019
as pointed out dry hitch weight is usually way under real hitch weight. The dry hitch weight on my trailer was in the low 700lb range. Real hitch weight with batteries, propane, water and all the stuff in trailer is 1450lbs.

your 600lbs dry could easily top 1000lbs. figure it will go up by the weight of each battery (70lbs each) and 60 lbs for two 30lb full propane tanks. That's 200lbs right off the bat. Stuff on the tongue adds virtually lb for lb. stuff in the pass through close to that.

And remember a WD hitch does NOT change tongue weight!!!! It just distributes weight from the rear axle of the TV to the TV front axle and trailer axles.
valhalla360
Navigator
Mar 19, 2019
Figure 12-15% of the GVWR as the hitch weight. Below 10% and you start getting handling problems (even with weight distribution and sway control)

1300lb payload is not a great tow vehicle...if as your signature impies, you are heading out on longer trips (empty nesting)...at least upgrade to a higher payload 1/2 ton. You probably don't need a 3/4 ton for these trailers but it will tow nicer.
gmckenzie
Explorer
Mar 19, 2019
Just one more comment on the hitch weight in the brochure being useless. My brochure has the hitch weight at 630 lbs. Dry weight of ~6800 lbs and carrying cap of ~ 1400 lbs. So the brochure has the hitch weight at less than 10% of dry.

Actual scaled weights have the trailer right at the 8200 lbs and hitch weight at 1040 lbs.

Best is to use the gross trailer weight (not dry weight) and 12-13% of that for hitch weight. Add 100 lbs for the hitch and that is what you deduct from your actual payload to see what else you can carry.

My payload is 2015 lbs (per the door sticker) and I'm am maxed with 8200 of trailer.
Boomerweps
Explorer
Mar 19, 2019
ALL great advice, EXCEPT:
Factory tongue weight DOES include full propane tanks according to makers' literature. Batteries, no, propane, yes. IF an electric tongue jack comes standard then that is included in the factory weights.
However, nothing beats getting actual weights on a scale to know for sure. My CAT scale experience was an eye opener!
And, yes, the WDH is not tongue weight itself BUT is does count against your payload capacity on your tow vehicle.
rbpru
Explorer II
Mar 19, 2019
I will tell you what my figures are and you can judge accordingly. I have a 2010 Dutchmen Lite 25 ft. We are a retired couple no kids.

Advertised dry weight 5000#, advertised tongue weight 400#

Loaded for the road and across the CAT scales, TT axel weights 5450#. Change to TV rear axel weight TT and WD hitch in place 750#. So total TT weight is about 6200#

My max cargo is 1410# so I have about 650# for family and toys.

The real problem is, the TT loading and WD hitch adjustments plus other variable, make each RV combo different.

A good guess is if your calculations show you are close to your vehicles capacity; you will exceed it.