It has occurred to us that if we just camp alone, with nothing in the TV but ourselves and a bag of potato chips, we're good with the tongue weight. But after subtracting it from our payload, we don't have much left except ourselves and those chips.So how can we lighten our tongue weight? We have two propane tanks and two batteries. We're happy to move one of the batteries, but where? How far behind the hitch does it have to be to lighten the tongue weight? We have room under the bed in our TT, but that's the front of the TT and would put weight on the hitch.Is there anything else we can do to lighten the tongue to free up some of that payload so we can take our grands camping next summer?

Remove batteries and propane tanks and you can take the 2 grandkids but they will have to ride on the tongue :B Removing weight from tongue can cause towing issues (sway).Having too heavy of a trailer vs adequate truck payload is cured by having bigger truck or lighter trailer. Reducing weight of current trailer is not much of an option unless you have been collecting rocks.You have the wrong combo.......

MargaretB wrote:It has occurred to us that if we just camp alone, with nothing in the TV but ourselves and a bag of potato chips, we're good with the tongue weight. But after subtracting it from our payload, we don't have much left except ourselves and those chips.So how can we lighten our tongue weight? We have two propane tanks and two batteries. We're happy to move one of the batteries, but where? How far behind the hitch does it have to be to lighten the tongue weight? We have room under the bed in our TT, but that's the front of the TT and would put weight on the hitch.Is there anything else we can do to lighten the tongue to free up some of that payload so we can take our grands camping next summer?There have been a few atheists that have gotten religion real quick after lightening their tongue weight.Too light can result in uncontrollable sway.. And it comes on without warning, it seems fine until a certain speed is reached, then it will need 3-4 lanes instantly... Don't ask me how I know this.I was lucky. You may not be. In your other thread, I see you about to pop for another 1/2 ton, that won't be much better than what you have now.If you are gonna buy a truck... Get one that will make a difference. Otherwise save your cash for the wreck you will have from towing over weight.

While I agree with the other posters I think it will really depend on your current tongue weight ratio. If your tongue weight is 13% of your total trailer weight there isn't much that you can do. But if your tongue weight is 20% then you could possibly move things around to lighten it up a bit.

Our current tongue weight is 13%. Loaded for a short trip, our TT is at about 6200#. Payload is 1230# and tow limit is, depending on whom you believe and when, either 7100#, 7200#, or 9600#. We go with the middle.Our TT is an ultralight, and not that heavy. So how come we see so many people pulling much bigger TTs with an F150?

I hesitated to even answer this.... You have been given the answer over and over in your other thread... For some reason you arte asking it again... Leads me to believe that you will keep asking until somebody tells you it's OK.Someone eventually will. Then you will believe them and go on your way.The ONLY reason I am bothering with this, is that you mentioned bringing the grandkids along. So for their sake, here it is again:The F150 can be had in many different versions. Some have payloads of over 2000#. Many do not. They all look the same going down the road or parked on the dealer lot. But they are different.You have also mentioned going to a bigger TT. It is time to get a bigger truck. The HD trucks today are very nice. You wanted heated seats, it can be done, even a heated steering wheel. You can even get the seats cooled in the summer.Driving wise isn't much different. A firmer ride (a good thing) So rather that grasping at desperate, dangerous methods such as lightening a the TW, get a bigger truck, then take those grandkids camping:B

Lightening tongue weight | Good Sam Community

Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Dec 12, 2014
Remove batteries and propane tanks and you can take the 2 grandkids but they will have to ride on the tongue :B

Removing weight from tongue can cause towing issues (sway).

Having too heavy of a trailer vs adequate truck payload is cured by having bigger truck or lighter trailer. Reducing weight of current trailer is not much of an option unless you have been collecting rocks.

You have the wrong combo.......
Huntindog
Explorer
Dec 12, 2014
MargaretB wrote:
It has occurred to us that if we just camp alone, with nothing in the TV but ourselves and a bag of potato chips, we're good with the tongue weight. But after subtracting it from our payload, we don't have much left except ourselves and those chips.

So how can we lighten our tongue weight? We have two propane tanks and two batteries. We're happy to move one of the batteries, but where? How far behind the hitch does it have to be to lighten the tongue weight? We have room under the bed in our TT, but that's the front of the TT and would put weight on the hitch.

Is there anything else we can do to lighten the tongue to free up some of that payload so we can take our grands camping next summer?
There have been a few atheists that have gotten religion real quick after lightening their tongue weight.

Too light can result in uncontrollable sway.. And it comes on without warning, it seems fine until a certain speed is reached, then it will need 3-4 lanes instantly... Don't ask me how I know this.

I was lucky. You may not be. In your other thread, I see you about to pop for another 1/2 ton, that won't be much better than what you have now.
If you are gonna buy a truck... Get one that will make a difference. Otherwise save your cash for the wreck you will have from towing over weight.
opnspaces
Navigator II
Dec 12, 2014
While I agree with the other posters I think it will really depend on your current tongue weight ratio. If your tongue weight is 13% of your total trailer weight there isn't much that you can do. But if your tongue weight is 20% then you could possibly move things around to lighten it up a bit.
MargaretB
Explorer
Dec 12, 2014
Our current tongue weight is 13%. Loaded for a short trip, our TT is at about 6200#. Payload is 1230# and tow limit is, depending on whom you believe and when, either 7100#, 7200#, or 9600#. We go with the middle.

Our TT is an ultralight, and not that heavy. So how come we see so many people pulling much bigger TTs with an F150?
Huntindog
Explorer
Dec 12, 2014
I hesitated to even answer this.... You have been given the answer over and over in your other thread... For some reason you arte asking it again... Leads me to believe that you will keep asking until somebody tells you it's OK.
Someone eventually will. Then you will believe them and go on your way.
The ONLY reason I am bothering with this, is that you mentioned bringing the grandkids along. So for their sake, here it is again:

The F150 can be had in many different versions. Some have payloads of over 2000#. Many do not. They all look the same going down the road or parked on the dealer lot. But they are different.
You have also mentioned going to a bigger TT. It is time to get a bigger truck. The HD trucks today are very nice. You wanted heated seats, it can be done, even a heated steering wheel. You can even get the seats cooled in the summer.
Driving wise isn't much different. A firmer ride (a good thing) So rather that grasping at desperate, dangerous methods such as lightening a the TW, get a bigger truck, then take those grandkids camping:B
HaveAGoodOne
Explorer
Dec 12, 2014
My BIL just flipped an e350 on its side last week due to a low tongue weight. He was towing a flat bed trailer that was loaded wrong. Luckily no one was hurt. Be careful.
handye9
Explorer II
Dec 12, 2014
MargaretB wrote:
Our current tongue weight is 13%. Loaded for a short trip, our TT is at about 6200#. Payload is 1230# and tow limit is, depending on whom you believe and when, either 7100#, 7200#, or 9600#. We go with the middle.

Our TT is an ultralight, and not that heavy. So how come we see so many people pulling much bigger TTs with an F150?

Those max tow capacity numbers, are marketing crap. When Toyota, Ford, GM, etc, say their vehicle can pull 7100 lbs. They are basing that on having a 150 lb driver, who is alone, has no cargo, and the trailer is not a big box, with a lot of wind resistance.

We as RV'ers, tend to bring a few things and usually a few people along with us. Add that to a big box with a lot of wind resistance, and that max tow capacity number becomes a myth.

Read the fine print in most owners manuals, you will find a statement that says "Actual max towing weight may vary and is no higher than the weakest link in the vehicles towing systems". That weak link, in many cases, is payload.

The vehicle has max ratings for what it can pull AND what it can carry. The two are interrelated. As you add weight to what the vehicle is carrying, the amount it can pull is going down, pound for pound.

Those F150's, pulling bigger trailers, are either the F150's that have that higher payloads / towing packages, or the F150's that are overloaded.

Here is the statement from 2015 Toyota Sequoia owners manual:

"29. Before towing, confirm your vehicle and trailer are compatible, hooked up and loaded properly and that you have any necessary additional equipment. Do not exceed any Weight Ratings and follow all instructions in your Owner’s Manual. The maximum you can tow depends on base curb weight plus the total weight of any cargo, occupants, and added vehicle equipment. “Added vehicle equipment” includes additional standard/optional equipment and accessories added by the manufacturer, dealers, and/or vehicle owners. The only way to be certain of your vehicle’s exact curb weight is to weigh your vehicle without passengers or cargo"
APT
Explorer
Dec 12, 2014
Have you taken your setup to a scale yet to determine you are or are not overweight and by how much? Then decide what needs to be done if you are over any ratings and by how much. Lowering the TW to less than about 12% seems too risky.

Tow ratings do not mean you can tow any trailer that weighs XYZ pounds. Not everyone that buys a bigger vehicle needs to tow a traveler trailer. Boats, open deck trailers tow much better for the same weight of TT. And many people you see towing are overweight too. Best not to concern yourself too much over what you cannot control. Just stay away if they appear unsafe.
valhalla360
Navigator
Dec 12, 2014
Just don't.

Get a truck that can handle the load.
naturist
Nomad
Dec 12, 2014
I agree with everyone else: your problem is not excessive tongue weight, it is too little truck. And ignoring this advice puts your life (as well as the lives of those grandkids and the general public) at great risk.

Tongue too light leads to sway that can cause your entire rig to flip over. Don't go there. Just don't.

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