--- You have previously defined Tongue Weight as: "Tongue Weight: That portion of the TT weight which is carried on the ball coupler as opposed to that carried on the axles". Using your own definition, once the WDH is hooked up the tongue weight must decrease since the weight on the rear axle has increased.
Hello Ken,
Thanks for your contributions to the thread.
My definition of "tongue weight",
Tongue Weight and Hitch Load - What are they and how are they different?, differentiates between WEIGHT of the TT and EXTERNAL FORCES on the TT. The definition states:
"If the weight of the hitch assembly is neglected, tongue weight is numerically equivalent to hitch load when there are no forces other than the TT's weight acting on the TT. If there are other vertical forces acting, then the values will be different."
and
"An example of other forces are those imposed on the TT by a WD bar tensioner."
My whole objective in proposing different definitions for "tongue weight" and "hitch load" was to have a definition by which "tongue weight" does NOT change when the WD bars are tensioned. Tongue weight, by this definition and when expressed as a percentage, is a measure of the relative location of the TT's center of gravity. As such, tongue weight is an important consideration for determining sway stability.
By the way, I don't think we should push someone to use a WDH without a caveat regarding the suitability for their particular trailer and TV.
I fully agree. I had considered adding the words, "where appropriate", to my proposed response to New Member. I will edit that post to include those words.
Ron
