How much weight behind axles offsets the tongue?

[Chlirod]

This may be a better fit for the "TOWING" section of the forum, but it is a Toyhauler questions as well, so I'm going to start here, but mods, apologies if you need to move.

I have a 25ULA which has an "empty" tongue weight of 1,286#. It is my understanding that this it is normal/standard for TH to have high tongue weight empty to offset for toys.

Mine tows much better with a motorcycle or 4 wheeler in the back, or if empty, with a partial tank of fresh water on board. At a minimum, when towing empty, I try to move some ballast to the rear.

My question is this, has anyone ever determined a thumbnail for how much weight at the rear of the trailer will offset 1 pound of the front?

Is it 1# for 1#?

1# for every 10#?

Any thoughts?

[nayther]

Artum Snowbird wrote:
Measure the distance from the center of the axles to the pin. Measure the distance to the center of your cargo.

The formula is:
Present Pin Weight minus (("Cargo weight" times ("Distance to cargo" divided by "Distance to Pin")) = Final Pin weight

So, putting variables into the equation 1300 pounds minus (600 pound Rhino times 10 feet/13 feet) = 838.46 pounds.

That's the only way you can do it.

Agree, simple physics will get you close but the dual axle hangers put a twist in the equation. I'm sure given some time you could come up with an accurate fomula accounting for this but probably as fast to take it to a scale and have it weighed.

[Chlirod]

Good thoughts - I've have plenty of payload on TV, but was curious.

Thanks!

[2500_Grunt]

Point load calc.

[Artum_Snowbird]

Measure the distance from the center of the axles to the pin. Measure the distance to the center of your cargo.

The formula is:
Present Pin Weight minus (("Cargo weight" times ("Distance to cargo" divided by "Distance to Pin")) = Final Pin weight

So, putting variables into the equation 1300 pounds minus (600 pound Rhino times 10 feet/13 feet) = 838.46 pounds.

That's the only way you can do it.

[Oaklevel]

There is no standard answer as each TH is designed differently with different options will also change the ratio a bit........

[Fishbreath]

Chlirod

Several years ago I attempted to find out the same answers with my 23 foot Weekend Warrior. My tongue weight was about 1650. With dual axles not centered front to rear, the ratio is no where near one to one. Placing weight at the back of a dual axle set up allows a majority of the weight to continue pressing down on the axles, it does not create an even "down in back, up in front" transfer. This would only happen with a single axle set up in the middle of the trailer. The more overhang you have behind the rear wheels will allow for more weight transfer, however most toy haulers have limited rear overhang.
I was able to use portable scales on my old rig and, for me, the transfer effect was about 10 to 1. (For every 10 pounds placed at the back, the tongue weight lessened by about one pound) The remaining 90% went straight down on the tires. All attempts by me to lessen the tongue weight were not worth the effort. (except going to a fifth wheel!)
I hope this helps
Best regards

Bill

[fj12ryder]

IMO the only way to know how yours reacts is to weigh it, loaded and unloaded. With 1500 lbs. in the garage area my pin weight only changes 40 lbs.

[JIMNLIN]

It all depends on the distance from the pin or ball to the center of the trailers suspension on your particular trailer. Also the length of the suspension such as a single axle or tandem axle or tri axle all would have a different center point. One size don't fit all especially a toy hauler when figuring how much the hitch weight changes when loading the garage.

Some have said it works like a teeter totter which isn't correct as it works from a single narrow point. A trailers point is from the front spring hanger to the last one aft which may be 120-130 inches.

When loading out a GN stock trailer or a flatdeck I'm always amazed how little the hitch weight changes when weight is added just behind the axles. Now if its 8'-10'+ aft then the hitch weight changes a bit more.

[jetboater454]

In mine with just over 2000# in the garage,pin dropped less than 300#. I did have the Polaris Ranger up in the front of the garage though.

[6dot6]

if you have time take it down with empty tanks and some known weighted items and see how its effected on the scale. use something you know the weight of. lengthy and pita.

[K_Charles]

If the axles were in the center it would be 1 to 1