Forum Discussion

Obewan's avatar
Obewan
Explorer
Mar 02, 2014

And yet another weight question

Just ordered a Jayco Eagle 338RETS with dry tongue weight of 1140lbs. I have a Hensley Arrow hitch with 1400lb bars which maxes out at 1400lb tongue weight. I'm assuming that the addition of 60lbs of propane is directly added to tongue weight, making it approx 1200 lbs. the front cabinet is plumbed for a washer/dryer. If I add these, is that weight directly added to the tongue? Or only a portion? I ask only to estimate if I will need to switch to a beefier hitch. I will leave the dealership straight to the scales but I have very limited time between its arrival and a scheduled 5 month, 7000 mile trip and want to get "all my ducks in a row". I'm thinking these weights would be added to the tongue pretty much directly.....am I missing something?
  • Ron_Gratz's avatar
    Ron_Gratz
    Explorer
    Mar 03, 2014
    Obewan wrote:
    Thanks for the response and the Sherline does look like a very good investment. My question remains - if we add a 150lb washer/dryer to the front of the camper, is all that weight directly added to tongue weight or is there a method of calculating how much would be transferred to the tongue, vs trailer axles? Really want the washer/dryer but not sure it's doable weight-wise.
    I'm guessing the distance from axles' center to washer/dryer cabinet is 18' and distance from axles' center to coupler is 24'.

    If those dimensions are correct, the 150# W/D would add 150*(18/24) = 112# to the TW.

    If those dimensions are not correct, insert the correct dimensions into the equation to get the added TW.

    Ron
  • Francesca_Knowl's avatar
    Francesca_Knowl
    Explorer
    Mar 03, 2014
    westend wrote:
    I think Rincon covered it well. Here's the way I would handle it: Find the weight of the washer/dryer. Go to lumber yard and buy sacks of sand to equal weight of appliances. Place sacks in position. Go to scale and weigh for tongue weight. Return sacks of sand if you can't use it.

    Or bring a 150 pound friend along to the scales with you and have them stand in the right spot in the trailer.
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Mar 02, 2014
    I think Rincon covered it well. Here's the way I would handle it: Find the weight of the washer/dryer. Go to lumber yard and buy sacks of sand to equal weight of appliances. Place sacks in position. Go to scale and weigh for tongue weight. Return sacks of sand if you can't use it.
  • Obewan's avatar
    Obewan
    Explorer
    Mar 02, 2014
    1400 pounds is the largest HA and the current trailer swayed even with the dually. Didn't seem to bother the truck at all but made me nervous watching that thing swing, especially in any breeze! Too lite on the tongue and I just couldn't add enough weight forward despite a LOT of trying and multiple weighings. Even carrying 4 cement blocks for stabilizers didn't help much. Perfect with the HA and I don't have to carry a full H2O tank anymore. Had the running gear checked and changed tires but still swayed till the HA. Thinking of putting it at a seasonal site. That's what the previous owners did.
  • lanerd's avatar
    lanerd
    Explorer II
    Mar 02, 2014
    Does that 3500 dually really need a HA. I don't think I've ever heard of anyone doing this before. Plus, I don't think you can get an HA with more than a 1400 rating.

    I also don't think there is any fast and easy formula to figure out tongue weight. As mentioned, any time you add weight in front of the axles, the closer you get to the tongue, the more of a percentage of that weight will be added to the tongue weight.

    Good luck..

    Ron
  • RinconVTR's avatar
    RinconVTR
    Explorer
    Mar 02, 2014
    Obewan wrote:
    Thanks for the response and the Sherline does look like a very good investment. My question remains - if we add a 150lb washer/dryer to the front of the camper, is all that weight directly added to tongue weight or is there a method of calculating how much would be transferred to the tongue, vs trailer axles? Really want the washer/dryer but not sure it's doable weight-wise.


    I think you already know the answer...but you want someone to tell you adding the washer and dryer will be fine.

    Anything in front of the trailer, well ahead of the axle will add tongue weight. The closer you are to the front, the closer you are to a 1:1 addition. The closer you move the weight to the axle, reduces the amount of weight added to the tongue.

    Personally, I would load up the trailer a bit before you hit the scale. The closer you are to a normal trip, the better you can determine if you have enough hitch or truck.

    So, why not get the next higher rated hitch before you buy and drive off, to cover all the bases? You're awfully close to the rating already.
  • Obewan's avatar
    Obewan
    Explorer
    Mar 02, 2014
    Thanks for the response and the Sherline does look like a very good investment. My question remains - if we add a 150lb washer/dryer to the front of the camper, is all that weight directly added to tongue weight or is there a method of calculating how much would be transferred to the tongue, vs trailer axles? Really want the washer/dryer but not sure it's doable weight-wise.
  • Lantley's avatar
    Lantley
    Nomad
    Mar 02, 2014
    The GVW of the 338RETS is 10,950. 13% of 10950=1423 before adding weight of hitch.
    With that in mind you should be OK. I would invest in a Sherline scale to ensure you are within limits at all times
    Try to keep your loaded weight around 10,500.00 and you should be OK. Keep in mind when all is said and done you will be hovering around the 1400# limit.
    Your 3500 should have the capacity but you may want to double check your receiver limit as well.
    You can control your tongue weight to some degree by loading heavy items behind the axles. Using the Sherline scale you can adjust your cargo accordingly to maintain the correct TW.

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