How to shift weight off front end

Ahhhh.... I neglected the front axle.. here's the corrected spreadsheet:

40% of cargo & passengers 232
60% of cargo and passengers 348

Tare Front Axle 3740+232=3972 :Adjusted Front Axle
Tare Rear Axle 2860+348=3208 :Adjusted Rear Axle

Adjusted Tare Front Axle: 3972
Adjusted Tare Rear Axle: 3208
Total Adjusted Tare Truck: 3972 + 3208=7180

Front Axle without WDH 3540
Rear Axle Without WDH 4960
Total truck without WDH 4960+3540=8500

Approximate TW: 8500-7180=1320 :Approximate TW

Gross Combined Weight 16220
Total Adjusted Tare Truck: 7180
Trailer weight 16220-7180=9040
TW Percentage 1320/9040=14.6%

Thanks guys for checking the math!

I suddenly feel much better. Now, next time I'm near the scales, I'll do a third weigh, with out the trailer at all, and the hitch and bars in the truck.

TY Ron!!!

I have considered a tongue scale myself.

Other things on the "grocery list" as well that are a higher priority, so it is on the "back burner" currently.

Need-A-Vacation wrote:
I came up with 1320lb tw based on the adjusted numbers.... About 14.6% tw. Hopefully someone will confirm (or correct! Lol) my math soon!!!

That's correct.

The indicated tongue weight based on the adjusted numbers is:

TW = (4960+3540) - (3972+3208) = 1320#

TW% = 100*1320/(16220-7180) = 14.6%

The best way to get an accurate estimate of tongue weight is to measure the difference in weight of TV with TT attached and no WD applied minus the weight of TV without TT attached.

For both weighings, the TV occupants and cargo must be the same and must be located in the same positions.
TV weight when unhitched must include the WDH and bars.

Ron

I'm pretty sure I've got a 1400 pound hitch head... but i'll admit I'm not positive on that OR the bars. I'll be checking into this first thing after work today.

I'm also considering calling my dealer to see if he has a hitch scale.

I came up with 1320lb tw based on the adjusted numbers.... About 14.6% tw. Hopefully someone will confirm (or correct! Lol) my math soon!!!

What size wd bars do you have? I went with 1500lb bars.

My trailer is actually a little lighter overall weight (just under 9klbs) , but I have 1400lb tw, about 15.8%.

OK, Here's my calculations:
Tare Front Axle 3740 + 232 = 3972 :Adjusted Front Axle
Tare Rear Axle 2860 + 348 = 3208 :Adjusted Rear Axle

Adjusted Tare Front Axle 3972
Adjusted Tare Rear Axle 3208

Front Axle without WDH 3540
Rear Axle Without WDH 4960

Approximate TW 4960 - 3208 = 1752 : Approximate TW

Gross Combined Weight 16220
Truck weight 3972 + 3208 = 7180
Trailer weight 16220 - 7180 = 9040
TW Percentage 1752 / 9040 = 19%

1700 pound TW unfortunately I think is over loading my Hitch Head, of 1400 max. I need to check the reese hitch that i've got.

Hi Ron,

Thanks for the reply, and taking the time to help.

Added passengers and cargo in truck:
People 405
Dog 28
Bike 10
Trike 10
grill 8
tank 9
toys 15
rug 8
blocks 7
Hitch 80
Total: 580

Wheel base: 153 inches
40% of cargo = 232
60% of cargo = 348

(I need to check the post again)

ctbailey wrote:
I don't think I've got enough information to make the pin weight calc, though.

Using the available data, we can get a good estimate of tongue weight if we know how much additional weight was added to the truck relative to the 07/01/2015 unhitched weights.
This weight would include all added passengers and cargo, additional fuel, and weight of the WDH plus bars.

For example, if we assume an added weight of 650# distributed 40% of front axle and 60% on rear, the adjusted unhitched axle loads would be 4000# on front and 3250# on rear.
The estimated tongue weight would be 1250#, and TT weight would be 8970# giving a TW% of 13.9%
The estimated load removed from the front axle, with TT attached and no WD applied, is 460# versus the measured 240# which was restored to the front axle via application of WD.

The estimate also could be improved if we knew the TV's wheelbase, distance from rear axle to ball, and distance from ball to midpoint between the TT's axles.

Ron

Cool. I'll try that the next time, I'm still real curious about my pin weight. As for pulling, very stable! No squirrelly ness at all. For the most part I lock out 6th gear, except for long down hill grades.

She'll need 4th gear occasionally on up grades, and of course when entering the highway I'll see 3500 rpm fairly frequently.

We had to maneuver it through the 'hood of Bridgeport, and in city pulling is OK. only once did I need to detour around a low overpass or super tight right hand turn.

You definitely "know" it's back there, but I'm good with that.

My biggest take home point: pulling through city stop and go, over super bumpy interstates is "severe" trailering, and my intuition tells me I would have destroyed a 1/2 ton suspension and drive train.