Forum Discussion

oyarsa's avatar
oyarsa
Explorer
Mar 30, 2018

Weight Results

Well, our first day on our second trip with our first trailer is in the books. Camping at Fort Steven's before heading down the road tomorrow.

I did three weights as suggested. All were completely loaded on our way out of town. I also had at least 1/3 full fresh water.

Here are the results in the calculator recommended to me: http://towingplanner.com/ActualWeights/TravelTrailerCatScales/?w1sa=3340&w1da=4080&w1ta=5140&w2sa=2940&w2da=4660&w2ta=4960&w3sa=3340&w3da=3440&a=2

I was over the GVWR for our Sequoia by 120 lbs. I emptied the fresh water tank, which should be about 100 lbs if it was 1/3 full. It seemed like more, so I may now be right at the GVWR.

But...that's if removing 100 pounds from the freshwater tank at the front of the trailer equals 100 pounds of tongue weight. Is that the way it works? Every pound in front of the axle is one pound of tongue weight?

I was also over by 80 pounds on the drive axle of the vehicle, but that should be fixed now...
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Mar 30, 2018
    Calculator live link You're right at the maximum weights for your vehicle (you know this). If you have a transmission temperature gauge, keep an eye on it.

    I've found that the most severe situation for the towing vehicle happens on long, uninterrupted drives where weather is hot. Climbing up long hills also puts the strain on the vehicle. With some vehicles, I've stopped on the summit to let everything cool down, the same for a long drive (break it into pieces where the vehicle can rest and cool off). The worst situation is being in a hurry, pushing the vehicle for all it's worth. I haven't driven cross-country in a good bit but I found that driving at night can be nice, passengers can sleep, night time temps are lower, less traffic, and the miles seem to slip away faster.

    Good luck with your new trailer!
  • lawrosa's avatar
    lawrosa
    Explorer
    Mar 30, 2018
    oyarsa wrote:
    Well, our first day on our second trip with our first trailer is in the books. Camping at Fort Steven's before heading down the road tomorrow.

    I did three weights as suggested. All were completely loaded on our way out of town. I also had at least 1/3 full fresh water.

    Here are the results in the calculator recommended to me: http://towingplanner.com/ActualWeights/TravelTrailerCatScales/?w1sa=3340&w1da=4080&w1ta=5140&w2sa=2940&w2da=4660&w2ta=4960&w3sa=3340&w3da=3440&a=2

    I was over the GVWR for our Sequoia by 120 lbs. I emptied the fresh water tank, which should be about 100 lbs if it was 1/3 full. It seemed like more, so I may now be right at the GVWR.

    But...that's if removing 100 pounds from the freshwater tank at the front of the trailer equals 100 pounds of tongue weight. Is that the way it works? Every pound in front of the axle is one pound of tongue weight?

    I was also over by 80 pounds on the drive axle of the vehicle, but that should be fixed now...


    Good job. You restored the front exactly to original truck alone weight....

    http://towingplanner.com/ActualWeights/TravelTrailerCatScales/?w1sa=3340&w1da=4080&w1ta=5140&w2sa=2940&w2da=4660&w2ta=4960&w3sa=3340&w3da=3440&a=2


    Yeah if your over your axle rate by a small matgin isnt too bad,,

    But, make sure you air those tires up to max sidewall..

    Thats the next riddle. Whats the max psi say on the tire and whats the max weight rating?

    P rated tires get derated about 9 % so let us know. Or does the sequoia have LT tires? Let us know what they say too.

    Try loading gear at the rear of the trailer.

    You cant do anything more with the WD hitch. Your at your limit.
  • rbpru's avatar
    rbpru
    Explorer II
    Mar 30, 2018
    I weigh my TV. Then I weigh my TV and TT hitched and ready for the road.

    I can tell how much weight the truck gained, that plus the axle weight of the TT give me the percent of the weight change is on the tongue. I like that to be about 12%.

    It is true that I do not know the percent of tongue weight without the WD hitch but my truck does not care about that. My rig rides level, it is stable and on a long trip the TT weight can vary +/- 200 lbs.
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Mar 30, 2018
    Sounds to me like your in great shape.
    Enjoy your travels!
  • Huntindog's avatar
    Huntindog
    Explorer
    Mar 30, 2018
    oyarsa wrote:




    But...that's if removing 100 pounds from the freshwater tank at the front of the trailer equals 100 pounds of tongue weight. Is that the way it works? Every pound in front of the axle is one pound of tongue weight?



    Only if the water tank is sitting directly over the hitch.
    Just moving in in front of the axle may not change it much. It depends just how far away from the hitch it is, in relation to the front axle.

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