Newbie Towing Issues
Hello folks, My SO and I bought a 2013 25' Puma (by Palimino?) TT with no miles on it and it seems really nice, with a few issues to fix (for a later post)but my current problem is a bit of trailer...
Forum Discussion
steelhands wrote:
Thanks,
The specs say that the tongue weight is 600 lbs and I'd guess that seems about right. The TT weight is 5,700 dry and we don't have much inside and I travel with the tanks nearly empty. I am running 80 psi in the trucks back tires and 60 in the front as per the label on the door frame. 50 psi on the TT tires.
After loading dishes, pots and pans, bedding, BBQ, camp chairs, groceries, and water, your dry weight numbers are useless. (Actually, that trailer weighed more than dry weight, before it left the dealers lot.) The average load of these items, is 800 - 1000 lbs. That would put your trailer's loaded weight at about 6500 lbs. Average tongue weight is 12 - 13 percent of loaded weight. That would put your tongue weight between 780 and 845 lbs. Without WDH, it is quite possible, you are exceeding your hitch rating.
If the majority of your loading is behind the trailer axles, that would take enough weight off the tongue, to cause sway issues. (One item I have to watch, is filling my fresh water tank. The tank is in the rear end, and takes up to 200 lbs off my tongue weight when it is full.)
You need to be aware of your actual weights and how they are affected by loading.
Feeling a little (note: little) bow wave, from passing trucks, is normal. Without WDH and having 800 lbs tongue weight hanging on your back end. That bow wave would be magnified, because you have reduced weight on your steering axle (tow vehicle tends to wander), and there is nothing to control the bow wave effects on the trailer.
Recommendations:
Accurate weights on the trailer (check tongue weight percentage)
Weight distribution hitch
Propper height on hitch ball
Sway control
Trailer loading
Check speed rating on trailer tires (most likely 65 MPH max)
