Newbie - confused about hitch weight

[b1martin]

Well, I am a newbie and just bought my TT the other day. Purchased the Palomino Solaire Eclipse. Its dry weight is 6800#. My TV is a 2005 F150 4x2 5.8L V8 with a 144 WB and max trailer weight of 8600#. I have researched all the tow ratings for five weeks now and made calculations multiple times. Please dont harp on the fact that i am using a 1/2 ton truck to pull this trailer. I had to have the trailer for certain reasons and could afford a new truck. Could have gone with a lower trailer weight but needed the room for 8 people. Hard to find lightweight TT that can accommodate that many comfortably. I have also been reading forums here as well as talking with folks i work with that are experienced towers and 50% say it will tow it but it will not be fun and the other 50% say that should be no problem with that truck. So, its a wash. We live in Florida and so its relatively flat and i will not pull the TT more than a 60 mile radius from the house with this truck

Here is my concern, i am confused about the hitch weight. In all my load calculations the one i failed to realize was the hitch ratings. I have the full tow package on the truck and i will also be using a WDH. Using the WDH the max tongue weight for the hitch is 990#. This seems fine, however my truck is rated to tow up to 8600# and based on the 10-15% rule for the tongue weight that would clearly exceed the hitch capacity at 15%. Why would Ford put a tow package on that has a hitch capacity that cannot accommodate their own max TT weight. Is 15% way to conservative or am i interpreting this wrong. Also, i will not have any cargo in the truck while towing. Does the WDH reduce the hitch weight by redistributing it to the front axles on the TV and the axles on the TT. Please help.

[b1martin]

I will likely do the same since my trailer will be 50% heavier than the truck. Want make sure I can slow down going down hills. Luckily the TT has tandem axles with all four tires having electric brakes.

Do you use a TT cover for yours. If so, do you have any suggestions.

[lawrosa]

I run on the B3 setting as I want the trailer to stop me...

Little touchy on slow side roads but thats OK..My TT weighs as much as my truck so I do it this way...

[lawrosa]

Tekonsha Prodigy proportional brake controller.

Thats what I have.... Very good choice........I have the P2

[b1martin]

Lawrosa,

Okay, so basically what you said and I said are the same since the TT axle weight does not include the TW.

I will definitely do as you say concerning the WD.

Do you have any suggestions for the electronic brake controller. Right now, I am looking at the Tekonsha Prodigy proportional brake controller.

[lawrosa]

TW is added to the payload of the TV..


TV weight plus TW = GVW of tow vehicle .... plus TT axle weight is the GCWR

And upgrade the receiver as suggested..........

[b1martin]

Lawrosa,

I will definitely ask them for the EQ 12000 hitch. They will likely have to go to camping world to find one. I dont think they carry them, but will definitely request it.

Yes, the TT cost more $$$$ than I wanted but I had to compromise with the wife.

Did you see my question about the TW in the last post???

[lawrosa]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlJgHTVi7l8#t=197

[lawrosa]

. I will see if they will sub the 12K Equalizer 4 point hitch. They included the hitch in the price so I hope they have not already installed it.

Yes That would be my opinion...

Here is the calculator..

http://www.equalizerhitch.com/About%20Equal-i-zer/hitchsizes.php#results


Hey your buying a trailer for $$$$ get the WD hitch you want....Dont let them soft step you....

[b1martin]

I just found my answer. Obviously, the TW is included when determing the GAW and GVW. Hiwever, when calculating the GCW it is just the weight of the cmbined system on a scale, therefore although tr Ford towing guide says to include the TW for the GVW as added cargo it is not added twice.

Therefore GCW = TV# + passenger# + TV cargo ( not including TW) + TT GVW (includes TW)

[b1martin]

I was going to do as you say at the scales. I will see if they will sub the 12K Equalizer 4 point hitch. They included the hitch in the price so I hope they have not already installed it.

So, concerning tongue weight.

Are you saying then that the TW is added twice or you do not add the TW to your cargo weight for your TV at least for the GCW weight? That way you do not add it twice.

[lawrosa]

Get the 12K Equalizer 4 point hitch. The Anderson doesn't do well redistributing the weight from the rear axle back to the front axle from what I have read on here.

I would agree... As I said tell the dealer this is what you want and nix the anderson... But its your ride....

GCW is truck and TT combined...Forget tongue.

[lawrosa]

I will run it through the CAT scales as you mentioned. This will at least allow me to get a real tongue weight estimate and determine what % of the TT GVW represents the actual tongue weight.

Also if you take your time at the cat scales you can tune in that WD hitch..

The first weigh is 10 bucks and each weigh after that on the same day is 2 bucks..

You have your truck weight already which is good.

Go on the scale and the first weigh should be with WD deactivated
Then get a weigh with the WD activated while still on the scale..
Go in and get the #'s. Check the front axle weight.
If you are close to the front axle weight that you got with the truck alone you are good.
If not adjust WD some more and reweigh while your there.
Once you get it correct count the threads on that bolt like on the vid I posted.

Then you know to crank that bolt so many turns each side with X # of threads showing..

You could really tune that system and get your front restored to stock weiegt

I am curious to what the tougnge weight will be after you do this so please post back..

[b1martin]

I have a question for "Lawrosa" and "Ibrjet" and it may be stupid but I will ask anyway. I have been thinking about this question for the last week and cannot find anyone I know that tows what the answer is.

When calculating the GCW of your system do you count the TW as cargo with the GVW and also with the TT GVW.

In otherwords,

GCW = (TV GVW) + (TT GVW)

therefore,

GCW = (TV# + passenger# + cargo# + TW#) + (TT GVW# - TW#)

Does everyone understand what I am asking????

[lbrjet]

Get the 12K Equalizer 4 point hitch. The Anderson doesn't do well redistributing the weight from the rear axle back to the front axle from what I have read on here. You will probably need to upgrade your receiver as well. Best of luck with the new trailer.