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

JIMNLIN
Explorer III
Dec 12, 2014
How do you know he has excessive hitch weight as he has never weighed the combo. Being over a payload number "DOES NOT" mean the vehicle is a unsafe vehicle nor does it mean he is putting anyones lives art risk.
If your silly enough to believe that you shouldn't be driving our countries roads as 100 percent of commercial vehicles out here around hauling/towing you are well over a payload number...if they have one which many older vehicles before '05 may not.

I'm always surprised at RV folks in particular that want to tow a trailer but never weigh anything.

As wiser folks suggested get your tow vehicle front and rear separate axle weights and then you will know what your working with and what to do. If the combo is set up properly with the right hitch I doubt anything will need to be done other than enjoy your rig.
fla-gypsy
Explorer
Dec 12, 2014
IMO, if you are exceeding the payload capacity of the truck you are accepting risks that may have unintended consequences. Some will disagree and assign names to those of us who "practice" safety, not just talk it.
jaycocreek
Explorer II
Dec 12, 2014
Being over a payload number "DOES NOT" mean the vehicle is a unsafe vehicle nor does it mean he is putting anyones lives art risk.

Ditto!

I've seen only 8 luggers upside down or wrecked pulling an RV mostly because of inexperience or recklessness, not because of the tow vehicle used.Using a 3/4 ton or 1 ton to pull a 26ft trailer does not make it safer,the driver makes it safer...

There are a lot of so called 1/2 tons out there with payloads over 3/4 ton,a lot!

Look at a new 3/4 ton Diesel with a payload of about 3K and slap a 5th wheel with a pin weight of 2600 lbs(Keystone Montana's smallest) on there and you have less payload than most 1/2 tons pulling a travel trailer.Same goes for putting a camper on the back of one.Go with a gasser and gain about 400 lbs, still worse off than most HD 1/2 tons pulling a travel trailer.
rbpru
Explorer II
Dec 12, 2014
I have the same issue. An F-150 4x4 with a max towing sticker that says 1411 lbs. When loaded my 5000 lb. TT and truck bed stuff put me at the limit. The tongue weight might be offset a bit by the WD hitch but the bottom line is it is maxed out or perhaps even a bit over.

Still, the combination pulls well, is very stable in the cross winds, responds well to stops hard stops for stupid deer; so I see no reason to fix what works.

We towed over 8000 mile this year to the Everglades and then to the Rockies. We cruise at 60 mph. the E-Boost gets 10 mpg, and so far we have had no towing issues.

If we decide on a heavier trailer I would probably move up to an F-250.
DwnSth
Explorer
Dec 12, 2014
My problem has been the receiver hitch limit not the payload. I have 2090 sticker payload. Scaled loaded for trip no trailer, still have just under 1600. The 1150 hitch limit is my problem on a larger trailer. Looked at Outbacks but had to rule them out at 900+ tongue weight dry.
3oaks
Explorer
Dec 12, 2014
opnspaces wrote:
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.

Now there is a rational answer without going ballistic or being sarcastic.
2012Coleman
Explorer II
Dec 12, 2014
People should read the posts by the OP before they get on their soap boxes. The comments being made that you are finding offensive are posted by people who know the history. Huntingdog said it the best. And yes 3oaks, the OP DID weigh the combo and the toung weight she stated WAS at 13%.

The OP is just asking the same questions waiting for the answer she wants to hear.

I'm sure the blocked post by JaycoCreek I see on this thread will give them the answer they crave. Good Luck...
GrandpaKip
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?

So, have you actually weighed trailer with TV, the TV, and the trailer alone? Or, are the numbers you give guesstimates?
And when weighed, the TV and the trailer should be loaded just as if you were going camping. Until you have actual numbers, there is nothing anybody can tell you about your setup except guesses.
There is no way on Earth I would take my grandkids with me unless I knew all was safe. Every time I make changes to our camper, I go weigh it, just so I'll know.
Good luck.
Dakota98
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?

Margaret,

QUOTE from your 10/19/14 post:

"We loaded up and detoured to the scales on our way out of town on Friday. The dry weight of the trailerwas 5100#. Loaded 5500#. Tongue 720#. Payload about 380# - two adults and two road bikes (and my 50# purse.) We didn't haul a lot of food, but probably won't anyway. The Sequoia hauled with no problem. I think we're OK."

QUOTE from your 12/11/14 post:

"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."

It appears that you have been adding & subtracting numbers without real world facts. YOUR Sequoia has a specific GVWR "as built". That info is on the door jamb sticker. There is also information listed about the tires, once again "as built". That correlates with the GVWR.

I believe to your advantage, & peace of mind, you need to start over with all calculations. Weigh the Sequoia by itself filled with gas, no trailer, to determine it's true CURB weight. From that figure, subtract weight of passengers in the vehicle at the time of weighing. Subtract that number from the GVWR as listed on the sticker. The number you arrive at, is PAYLOAD. Start there.

This is just the FIRST step in the process.

This is a step by step process, miss one step & things won't add up to give you ACCURATE information.
fla-gypsy
Explorer
Dec 12, 2014
2012Coleman wrote:
People should read the posts by the OP before they get on their soap boxes. The comments being made that you are finding offensive are posted by people who know the history. Huntingdog said it the best. And yes 3oaks, the OP DID weigh the combo and the toung weight she stated WAS at 13%.

The OP is just asking the same questions waiting for the answer she wants to hear.

I'm sure the blocked post by JaycoCreek I see on this thread will give them the answer they crave. Good Luck...

X2, kind of like fishing, just waiting for the right bite to come.