Anybody care to analyze weights and measurements?

[js415]

In an earlier thread I told about picking up my new trailer, and being shocked about the "harsh" ride. The truck and trailer are very stable, and the "harshness" I feel is mostly from cracks and joints in the roads. Not from bouncing or swaying caused by the trailer.

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/16065296/srt/pa/pging/1/page/1

In order to gather all the info I could, I spent a day back and forth from the weigh station.

Here is what I have:

New trailer weighs in at 8550lbs dry, per paperwork with unit.

New trailer has a tongue weight of 1250lbs, fully loaded, using a new Sherline scale. (Pretty neat tool)

2500HD Chevrolet, measures 39.75" in rear and 37.5" in front unloaded, measured at fender wells.

24" measured at rear bumper.

At the scales, with full tank, empty bed, and 1 driver, I am at 7100lbs total. Steer axle at 4040lbs and rear axle at 3060lbs.

Fully loaded trailer, sitting on the truck with an Equal-I-zer brand, 12,000 WDH, I have the following:

Truck measures 38.0" at rear and 38" at front.

22" at rear bumper.

Steer axle is 3920lbs and rear axle is 5260lbs. Trailer axle is 8660lbs. Truck also had an extra person, large loaded Yeti cooler, and 1 row of firewood against the cab.

So my questions are as follows:

1. I assumed my trailer would be a good bit more, but am I correct in assuming part of the trailer weight is sitting on the truck, so I am not getting a "true" trailer weight without unhitching and weighing by itself?

2. Is a 2" drop in the rear and a 1" rise in the front acceptable?

3. Sitting in a level parking lot, the trailer is almost exactly level and the truck looks be level also. No drop or rise that can be seen in the front or rear.

Truck and trailer ride good down the interstate, no sway, no real bounce unless it get on really rough sections of road.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

Jerry

[drsteve]

I think you need to load up the truck and trailer, and go camping.

[js415]

phillyg wrote:


2. "Is a 2" drop in the rear and a 1" rise in the front acceptable?" YES, but you didn't mention using a WDH, which, with 1250lb hitch weight, would fix that issue.

It may have been lost in my long paragraph, but I am indeed using a WDH. So with the hitch set up and loaded correctly, the rear of my truck has dropped a little less than 2".

Thanks for your suggestions,

Jerry

[js415]

Grit dog wrote:
If it tows fine, what are the issues your looking to correct or get input on?
You have enough truck for the trailer, have fun camping!

Not really looking to correct any issues, but every trailer I have towed has been relatively light, so I thought I would throw some figures out there for an expert opinion on a heavy trailer setup.

Jerry

[phillyg]

1. "I assumed my trailer would be a good bit more, but am I correct in assuming part of the trailer weight is sitting on the truck, so I am not getting a "true" trailer weight without unhitching and weighing by itself?" CORRECT

2. "Is a 2" drop in the rear and a 1" rise in the front acceptable?" YES, but you didn't mention using a WDH, which, with 1250lb hitch weight, would fix that issue.

3. "Sitting in a level parking lot, the trailer is almost exactly level and the truck looks be level also. No drop or rise that can be seen in the front or rear." RELY ON YOUR MEASUREMENTS rather than your eyes.

"Truck and trailer ride good down the interstate, no sway, no real bounce unless it get on really rough sections of road." ROUGH ROADS really seem to amplify when youre

[Grit_dog]

If it tows fine, what are the issues your looking to correct or get input on?
You have enough truck for the trailer, have fun camping!

[SweetLou]

I would also put Timbrens on the rear axle. It wouldn't change the ride empty, but hooked up it will keep the ride level.

[lawrosa]

Your missing a weight..

You need to weigh the truck and trailer as you did but one of the passes need to have the WD unhooked..

What year is the truck?

Maybe a shock issue..

And if you have the factory GM hitch that connects to the bumper point that will cause porpose issues too.

What tires on the truck?

If its those 20" look at me tires that will contribute to harsh ride....

http://towingplanner.com/ActualWeights/TravelTrailerCatScales/?w1sa=3920&w1da=5260&w1ta=8660&w3sa=40...

[Tyler0215]

The extra person, firewood etc. screwed up your weight calculations. However, you lost weight off the front and gained 2200 lbs on the rear. With a tongue weight of 1250 that seems like a lot. Your combined weight 17,840 minus you truck weight 7100 is the trailer weight, 10,740 minus the extra person, wood etc.