I hope I'm barking up the right tree

MFL wrote:
I think the floor plan makes a difference on tongue wt. If the axle is the same distance from the hitch ball. One trailers floor plan may put a few heavier appliances, further ahead of the axle. When loading the trailer, especially a single axle trailer, you can add or subtract tongue wt, by placement of goods/gear. You never want less than .10 for tongue wt, and yes .12-.13 would likely be better.

Figuring loading to full GVWR of 4,000 is worst case, so people use that to set a safety margin. I don't think you are looking at an unsafe tow, and a lot depends on the driver. Some folks can't handle being near a rigs limit, and the next may say it is great, while being well over the limit.

Jerry

Thanks my Friend. Axle is just a fulcrum - pile stuff in front of it, increase the tongue weight, pile stuff behind it, decrease the tongue weight. Physics 101. If my tongue weight is too much I'll put some water jugs in the shower to compensate. Still doesn't explain why the dry tongue weight on trailer A (just for an example) is 400 lbs., and the dry tongue weight on trailer B is 300 lbs. but when all is said and done (trailers loaded) both tongue weights will be the same if the loaded trailer weights are the same. That's some mystery math.