Top Heavy

I'm surprised that tanks are not built with baffles, to combat the "sloshing" of water when going around turns. Unless they are, and I'm not aware of them.

They aren't because the tooling to extrude the tank is a lot more expensive for baffles. Typically, tanks aren't baffled until you get up above 200 gal. or so (and not every one). It's at that point that weight becomes a bit more critical.

69 Avion wrote:

Turtle n Peeps wrote:
Take it from a race car driver/builder.

High weight is never good. It's not like a little high weight is good and another is bad. It's cumulative. Any high weight is bad and more is worse and a lot is really bad.

What makes it worst is, bunks are usually in the rear which takes tongue weight off which is never a good thing.

Another bad thing is heavy things falling off of bunks are always a bad thing.

Plan carefully. :)

Good advice. When I built by last camper/trailer, I put an extra water tank between the frame, just ahead of the axle and a fuel tank in front of that. When packing, keep the weight as low as possible and above or forward of the axle. The lower the weight, the better and 10-15% tongue weight is ideal, as long as the TV can handle it.

I'm surprised that tanks are not built with baffles, to combat the "sloshing" of water when going around turns. Unless they are, and I'm not aware of them.

Turtle n Peeps wrote:
Take it from a race car driver/builder.

High weight is never good. It's not like a little high weight is good and another is bad. It's cumulative. Any high weight is bad and more is worse and a lot is really bad.

What makes it worst is, bunks are usually in the rear which takes tongue weight off which is never a good thing.

Another bad thing is heavy things falling off of bunks are always a bad thing.

Plan carefully. :)

Good advice. When I built by last camper/trailer, I put an extra water tank between the frame, just ahead of the axle and a fuel tank in front of that. When packing, keep the weight as low as possible and above or forward of the axle. The lower the weight, the better and 10-15% tongue weight is ideal, as long as the TV can handle it.

Thanks again for all the replies. Good response!

The only thing I place on the bunks is bedding pillows, and possibly a small suitcase. In the upper cabinets I have paper goods, a few light pots and pans, and some food supplies. The passthrough storage areas is where the heavy stuff goes, such as the BBQ grill, chocks, pie iron, hoses, etc. Even in the fridge, all the heavy stuff like liquids go as far to the bottom as possible.

My bunks are in the front. I have probably had 50-75 pounds on one side top bunk with zero difference in the behavior of the TT.

I would not put anything heavy up that high period. Clothes, small light weight items paper products is about all that should go above the waistline.

I use the overhead storage for wine glasses, paper plates and cups, my dogs toys, napkins and tablecloths.

Keep in mind that the effect of the weight in the top is magnified by it's Lever Arm...reacting against the force of the frame wieght and lower weight of the trailer, that lever arm increases the effective weight of the items up high.

It's not a good idea to put any significant weight up above the waistline of the trailer.

So what most are saying limit the weight to a minimun. 100# maybe the max amount?

Thanks.

I have two bunks on one side and the upper serves as a storage spot if it's just me and the wife out for camping. On it we put the DIY antennas, clothes, the shore cord sometimes, and bits of camping stuff toward the back that rarely is used. I'd estimate it at under 100 lbs. On the other side, the upper cabinet holds the microwave, underneath the vent hood, some plates and cook ware, misc. small items, around 60 lbs. of stuff.

I have Torkflex axles and shocks so my trailer is swung low. It rides like it's on rails and even big gusts of wind or hard cornering don't make it heel to one side or the other.

icanon wrote:
If placing items on top shelves or upper bunk beds what is the max weight would you place to be safe from trailer swaying/tilting from being top heavy when towing a TT behind you?

Thanks

I'm asking how much weight Would You Put on a upper area of a TT. I never said I'm planning to put 100's of # just wanted to know how much is acceptable?

Thanks everyone for your replies.