Forum Discussion

Colo_Native's avatar
Colo_Native
Explorer
Nov 18, 2017

Tongue weight

OK what is the ideal tongue weight is it 12% or 15% the TT I am looking at has a 10995 GVWR, UVW 8994 brochure says 1095 Hitch weight. Try to figure what WDH I would need. I am think the Equalizer 14000/1400. Now the other question I have is should I use a sleeve and 2" or a 2 1/2" shank?
  • Colo_Native's avatar
    Colo_Native
    Explorer
    Nov 20, 2017
    Walaby wrote:
    I would go with 1400lb bars.

    As far as the receiver goes, I have a 2.5 in receiver, but went with 2 in shank and had sleeve welded in to keep it from flopping around. I debated and decided to stay with the 2 inch shank. Glad I did. Truck broke down, and had to have truck and trailer towed. Tow truck showed up and he needed to use my hitch.. and his receiver was 2 inch. Not sure what I would have done if I had a 2.5 inch shank.

    Mike
    That makes sense not everyone has a 2 1/2" hitch
  • Turtle_n_Peeps's avatar
    Turtle_n_Peeps
    Explorer
    Nov 19, 2017
    The heavier you are on the tongue the better the trailer will tow if the TV is up to the task.

    I try to load my trailers heavy in the front if I have a choice because they always tow better.
  • prichardson's avatar
    prichardson
    Explorer
    Nov 19, 2017
    For proper trailer tracking between 12% and 15% is the preferred. Anything less than 10% is questionable. It is always better to be on the heavy side.
  • handye9's avatar
    handye9
    Explorer II
    Nov 19, 2017
    downtheroad wrote:
    12% -15% is ideal...There is no hard number....
    You really can't tell from the brochure numbers...have to actually load up and weigh.

    But, for the numbers you posted, I'd definitely go with the 1400 lb. bars.
    If you have a 2.5 inch receiver, I'd go with the 2.5 inch shank and skip the band-aide sleeve.


    DITTO !!!

    Brochure numbers do not include dealer installed options, propane, and, in some cases, a battery. Actual tongue weight will be higher, before the trailer gets off the dealer lot.

    Also consider, tongue weight is not a constant number. It goes up as you load dishes, pots and pans, bedding, camp chairs, BBQ equipment, etc. Then it fluctuates up and down during every trip.

    Depending on location, in relation to trailer axles, holding tanks can have a significant impact on tongue weight.

    My trailer for example, fresh tank is behind the axles (takes weight off the tongue) and my galley tank is in front of them (adds tongue weight). My lightest tongue weight has been 975 lbs, and heaviest I've seen was 1210 lbs. The brochure weight was 880.
  • Lynnmor's avatar
    Lynnmor
    Explorer
    Nov 19, 2017
    There have been reports of the hitch pin bending when using an adapter sleeve. Since the sleeve can float front to rear, that 1/4" additional clearance may as well be air.
  • Huntindog's avatar
    Huntindog
    Explorer
    Nov 19, 2017
    Walaby wrote:
    I would go with 1400lb bars.

    As far as the receiver goes, I have a 2.5 in receiver, but went with 2 in shank and had sleeve welded in to keep it from flopping around. I debated and decided to stay with the 2 inch shank. Glad I did. Truck broke down, and had to have truck and trailer towed. Tow truck showed up and he needed to use my hitch.. and his receiver was 2 inch. Not sure what I would have done if I had a 2.5 inch shank.

    Mike
    That is why I stayed with 2" as well.

    What is interesting is that the 2" and 2.5" are rated the same!

    Probably because the 2.5" is only 2" for the vertical drop. So there is no strength advantage with the 2.5".

    I fashioned a keeper bracket for my adaptor sleeve. It is hard to describe, but it is a bolt on affair that goes behind the receiver hole.
    So it stays in all the time, but is removable should it ever need to come out.
  • Walaby's avatar
    Walaby
    Explorer II
    Nov 18, 2017
    I would go with 1400lb bars.

    As far as the receiver goes, I have a 2.5 in receiver, but went with 2 in shank and had sleeve welded in to keep it from flopping around. I debated and decided to stay with the 2 inch shank. Glad I did. Truck broke down, and had to have truck and trailer towed. Tow truck showed up and he needed to use my hitch.. and his receiver was 2 inch. Not sure what I would have done if I had a 2.5 inch shank.

    Mike
  • rbpru's avatar
    rbpru
    Explorer II
    Nov 18, 2017
    12 to 15 % is often the preferred number, the Ford towing information uses 10 %.

    Normally, I am in the 12% range but on one rather short trip I did dropped to just under 9% without any noticeable problems.

    Stay with the 12 to 15 range.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Nov 18, 2017
    UVW 8994# with a dry tongue weight of 1095# is a 12.17% tongue weight

    GVWR 10,995# wet tongue at 12.17% would be 1338#

    So 1400# WDH bars and the 2.5" shank
  • DutchmenSport's avatar
    DutchmenSport
    Explorer
    Nov 18, 2017
    Get the Equal-i-zer 14,000/1400 and the 2.5 shank and you won't go wrong at all.

    My TT (signature below) is right around the same weight as yours, and with camping gear, food, water, etc, the WD hitch is still within good range.

    The 2 inch shank sleeve? That's what I'm using, and if you can avoid it, do so. The sleeve has movement, and then the hitch shank has movement. This is just normal because the hitch pin hole is slightly bigger than the pin, allowing for movement. It's kind of un-nervy at first hearing and feeling a slight klunk-klunk from the hitch, but after you realize it's jsut the nature of the sleeve, you eventually just ignore it. However, if I were to do it again, I'd certainly want the 2.5 inch shank to eliminate some of that movement.

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