How Much Safety Margin to Allow...If Any?
Hi Everyone, We have a 2011 Ford Expedition 4x4 with the Heavy Duty Trailer Tow package. A few relevant specs: Axle = 3.31 Max Loaded Trailer Wt = 8,900lbs GCWR = 15,000lbs GAWR Front = 3,70...
Forum Discussion
Sherline offers a scale. There are other methods too.
Every towing guide I have read recommends conventional trailers have 10-15% TW. RVers experiences suggest towards the higher of that spectrum, 12-15% is more stable. Maybe it's the high profile of both frontal area and sides, but those reporting 10% TW or less have more complaints about towing stability.
How to estimate? It's tough. As you know anything in front of the TT axles will increase TW. It should be proportional to the the distance between the ball and center of your two TT axles. A WDH changes that a little. Also, published dry weights often do not include typical and even mandatory options. Like my TT for example had something called a "Lightweight Package" which listed kitchen cabinets among other things. Kitchen cabinets certainly are not optional in a TT and they weigh something. As such, my TT came in with a yellow sticker as equipepd weight 300 pounds higher than brochure weight. Each brand varies, but it seems about 75% of them are higher by 150-500 pounds. Therefore, TW goes up too.
Then you have the things you put in. Many floorplans offer outside access storage in the front of the TT as well as inside cabinets in front and middle. So naturally that's where we owners store things.
Every towing guide I have read recommends conventional trailers have 10-15% TW. RVers experiences suggest towards the higher of that spectrum, 12-15% is more stable. Maybe it's the high profile of both frontal area and sides, but those reporting 10% TW or less have more complaints about towing stability.
How to estimate? It's tough. As you know anything in front of the TT axles will increase TW. It should be proportional to the the distance between the ball and center of your two TT axles. A WDH changes that a little. Also, published dry weights often do not include typical and even mandatory options. Like my TT for example had something called a "Lightweight Package" which listed kitchen cabinets among other things. Kitchen cabinets certainly are not optional in a TT and they weigh something. As such, my TT came in with a yellow sticker as equipepd weight 300 pounds higher than brochure weight. Each brand varies, but it seems about 75% of them are higher by 150-500 pounds. Therefore, TW goes up too.
Then you have the things you put in. Many floorplans offer outside access storage in the front of the TT as well as inside cabinets in front and middle. So naturally that's where we owners store things.
