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jeshoffstall's avatar
jeshoffstall
Explorer
May 24, 2013

Thoughts on my scale numbers?

Finally got around to finding and using a CAT scale on our way to a campground.

Packed as normal for a four day weekend. Wife myself, two bikes and a small tote of firewood.

Camper is a Flagstaff V lite 21WRS


Dry Hitch Weight 597 lbs. (271 kg)
Unloaded Vehicle Weight 4,991 lbs. (2,264 kg)
GVWR 6,550 lbs. (2,971 kg)
Cargo Carrying Capacity 1,559 lbs. (707 kg)
Exterior Length 24' 7" (7.5 m)

Truck is a 2010 Toyota Tundra 5.7, 4x4 with towing package

GVWR 7100
GAWR FT 4000
GAWR RR 4150
Payload 1380

Truck without trailer

Steer axle. 3500
Drive axle 2740
Gross weight 6240

Truck w/trailer WDH bars not engaged

Steer axle 3080
Drive axle 3700
Trailer axle 5080
Gross weight 11,860

Truck w/trailer, WDH bars engaged

Steer axle 3280
Drive axle 3400
Trailer axle 5180
Gross weight. 11,860

I am using an equalizer 4 point hitch (set up by dealer). The bars are parallel to the frame and my toung is about 1-2 inches lower. I have five spacer washers on the hitch head.

It appears I need to get another 200 lbs on the steer axle? Do I need to add/remove washers or raise my bracket another hole? I just do not want to over correct.

Thanks for any insight you may have!

Jack
  • jeshoffstall's avatar
    jeshoffstall
    Explorer
    May 27, 2013
    Update:

    Downloaded the owner's manual for the WDH and it recommended adding space washers to increase distribution.

    I added one washer and put the hitch back together last night.

    Today on the way home we drove through another CAT scale. In a hurry to beat traffic so only did one pass hooked up and ready to go:

    Steer Axle 3,420
    Drive Axle 3,280
    Trailer Axel 5,160
    Gross 11,860

    So, based on my unburdened weight, I am within 80lbs of my original steer axle weight and putting 540lbs on the drive axle with this current set up.

    Pulled much better coming home.

    Thanks for everyone's input!

    Jack
  • TomG2's avatar
    TomG2
    Explorer
    May 25, 2013
    I never thought to calculate what I thought the front axle weight should me (Changing the "TV only" steer axle load to 3360#), I took the scale readings for what they were. My bad.
  • Ron_Gratz's avatar
    Ron_Gratz
    Explorer
    May 25, 2013
    TomG2 wrote:
    What is "not consistent"? Trailer without WD removed 420 pounds from front axle (3,500-3,080)---
    The raw data also indicate a tongue weight of 540#.

    In this universe and on this planet, there is no way a 540# TW can cause 420# to be removed from the steer axle --
    unless the TV's ball overhang is equal to 78% of the TV's wheelbase.

    There's more to interpreting scales data than just addition and subtraction.

    Ron
  • Ron_Gratz's avatar
    Ron_Gratz
    Explorer
    May 25, 2013
    Jack,

    Here's the problem with the numbers:

    The indicated tongue weight using TV only data and TV+TT with no WD is (3080+3700)-(3500+2740) = 540#.
    Since the brochure hitch weight is 597#, it's quite unlikely that the loaded TW can be 540#

    The initial loss of 420# on the steer axle is consistent with a tongue weight of about 1020#.
    The initial gain of 960# on the drive axle is consistent with a tongue weight of about 680#.

    Changing the "TV only" steer axle load to 3360# gives:

    The indicated loaded TW is (3080+3700)-(3360+2740) = 680#.
    This value is more consistent with a brochure TW of 597#.

    The adjusted initial loss of 3360-3080 = 280# is consistent with a TW of 680#

    A TW of 680# plus the TT axle load of 5080# gives a TT weight of 5760#.
    The corresponding TW% is 680/5760 = 11.8%.
    For comparison the dry TW divided by the shipping weight is 12.0%.

    The adjusted net load reduction on the steer axle would be 3360-3280 = 80#.

    Where were you positioned when the three sets of loads were measured?
    If you were in/on the truck for some of the weighings and somewhere else for others, that could explain the discrepancy.

    Ron
  • TomG2's avatar
    TomG2
    Explorer
    May 25, 2013
    What is "not consistent"? Trailer without WD removed 420 pounds from front axle (3,500-3,080) Application of WD restored 200 pounds. (3,280-3,080)
    FALR of 48% (100 X 200/420)

    He needs more FALR as he needs to get some weight off a lightly sprung rear axle. (Payload only 1,380 pounds)
  • jeshoffstall's avatar
    jeshoffstall
    Explorer
    May 25, 2013
    Ron, double checked the ticket, no typos. All we did was pull off, unhook the camper and drive back on.

    I am only concerned as my rear end of the TV seems squirrelly. No sway at all in 1800 miles of driving. Possible that LT tires would firm things up?

    Left the WDH manual at home so not sure how to move some weight forward

    Thanks,
    Jack
  • Ron_Gratz's avatar
    Ron_Gratz
    Explorer
    May 25, 2013
    hmknightnc wrote:
    How's it sit and tow? If you have it set up level and it tows smooth I wouldn't worry about.---
    Prior to 2011, Toyota said to adjust the WDH to "keep your vehicle level with the ground".
    IMO, that's a very ambiguous specification.

    In 2011, Toyota changed their WDH adjustment specification.
    They now say to return the front to the same weight as before hitching.

    Ron
  • Ron_Gratz's avatar
    Ron_Gratz
    Explorer
    May 24, 2013
    Jack,

    The "Truck without trailer" steer axle load of 3500# is not consistent with the other scale values.

    Were all three sets of axle loads measured with the same loading of the truck?

    It appears there was about 150# of additional weight on the steer axle scale when the "Truck without trailer" loads were measured.

    Ron
  • RCMAN46's avatar
    RCMAN46
    Explorer
    May 24, 2013
    I would say you are a little light on tongue weight. I calculate 9.6%.
    15% would give you a better handling trailer. I would also get some more weight on the front axle of the truck. Individual weights on the trailer axles would be suggested to check tire ratings and if the axles are sharing the trailer weight.
  • TomG2's avatar
    TomG2
    Explorer
    May 24, 2013
    If it was a current model Chevy or Ford, the numbers would be nearly perfect.

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