TC newbie, can I get some input please?

[languiduck]

A couple weeks ago we finally brought our new TC home. We used to own an older TT several years ago and didn't like it too much. Mainly because I like to take my Jeep with me for trail riding, etc.
Since then we've spent some time getting used to it, stocking it with supplies, doing a couple short drives and reading tons of threads here which have been very helpful. I already had Roadmaster helper springs on it, but we added a rear Hellwig Big Wig because the body roll was a bit scary.



My main question here is that the COG sticker on the TC is behind the rear axle of my truck. This camper is designed for a short box truck. There's no way I can move it forward any more, because it will hit my tail lights. I have to shim it off the bed with a 2x4. To gain clearance at the cabover, I had to screw 2x6s stacked on top of each other to shim it off the bed 3". I get they have to make a camper one size fits all and this is designed to also probably fit a 1/2 ton truck (which would overload it so that doesn't make any sense to me), and on a 1/2 ton truck the COG would possibly be forward more than it sits on my truck. Any thoughts on this?
The water tank is at the front of the TC so if I filled it that might change things. I'm loading most of the stuff at the front of the camper the best I can. It seems to drive ok, doesn't seem lighter on the front axle. When I set it down, both ends of the truck drop, albeit the rear drops a whole bunch more. I'm thinking since it's a 3/4 ton truck I can get away with it? OR did I just waste several years of saving up?

[Reddog1]

It is great to hear feed back on the various suggestions given. As I am sure you are aware, now you have to learn how to dial in what you have. My bet is you will still make changes to get at your comfort level.

As I previously stated, I flat tow a Samurai. Usually, I wheel with Jeeps and Toys, which pretty much leaves me to fend for myself when it comes to parts. Depending how far I travel, I take my parts. If a long trip, there are very few parts I could break to prevent me from flat towing home. Even on short trips, I take spare drive shafts, axles, and almost a complete fuel injection (including computer), and many other parts. Some would say I have enough parts to build another Samurai. Fact is, I have only broke a transfer case mount and one U-joint and had both on hand for trail fix.

Wayne

[languiduck]

Have a couple good weekends under my belt now. I'm not sure if I'm tying my experience now as a blog or because I think someone might want to read the results. Summary:

Truck is driving and tracking great. I do not feel like any weight is being taken off the front axle. I mean there's 4660# of weight on it so....

Obviously I just over worried a bit on the COG thing because it seems to be centered correctly. I'm not over loaded on either axle.

I do plan to add a front mounted receiver to carry a few things, that should help keep some weight up front and off the back.

Flat towing is great, especially using that Brake Buddy. As long as the Jeep is able to roll on all four tires I'm good. Easy to hook up and go. Generally I'm in a group and between us all we have spare parts to fix any of us. I did find I am throttling back on how hard I push the Jeep on the trails now though. I'm ok with it, in a way it's more relaxing and I'm not beating it up.

I did reconsider the use of air bags. So thank you to those who suggested I take another look. Yes my seat of the pants meter is sensitive and I could tell when I had even a measly 5 psi in the bags on my old truck. I found some Air Lift bags that have an internal jounce bumper and claimed they are designed to be used with no pressure when not loaded. So off came the Roadmaster helper springs and on went the bags. Big differences between the two. The nice cushy ride is gone and the ride with the bags is a bit harsher. But I also am not bottoming out on my bump stops any more either. The bags feel more controlled. There's also a lot less sag, I'm 1.25" higher when loaded (obviously that can change some depending on the air pressure I set it at). Combined with those Torklift Stable Loads it handles everything with ease now. I can probably come off the pressure a little bit. I bought a little $10 12V pump to air up the bags and it's great not having to deal with mounting a compressor on the truck. I have a big portable one in a bag I use to air up the Jeep tires.

Every time I load and unload I find at least one thing I can combine or change to make the process quicker and easier. Like shimming out the front bumpers on the TC instead of carrying around a board.

So thanks again all, things are getting better, I'm feeling more comfortable and figuring it all out. It's been fun. Have another weekend planned over Labor Day. This time I will be unloading the camper at the site. I'll have a new thread to start on the one as I have some new gear to try out that was sent to me.

[sleepy]

COG? over weight?

Scary... this would ruin your day... and many days to come!

Sleepy

[bikepsych]

OP,
Overall how does your rig drive? If it feels like it has a very light feel to the front, then you'll need to make some adjustments. You can also load your TC so it is heavier in front of the axle to offset some of your concerns over the center of gravity. Mine is perhaps 1/4" behind the rear axle. I took it on some VERY twisty roads and I was not nervous at all. I did not get any "hobby horsing" when I put the brakes on. Yes, there was some sway, but sheesh, we added almost 3000 pounds up above the axle so it was anticipated.

Drive it, enjoy it. Use common sense.

BG

[Reddog1]

Silly me, I did not connect the dots on the "trailer" is the Jeep weight. :R I did have a mental flash asking myself where the trailer came from and how were you going to flat tow the jeep. 😮 Sometimes it is tough getting old. :E

When I go on a group/family camping trip, I use the Samurai as a trailer. With the EXO cage, it makes it even easier. The cage is not complete, but is serviceable. When I flopped on the side, it also saved a lot of body damage.

Wayne

[languiduck]

Yes, a******load of camping equipment.

Also my TC was loaded with all supplies and water

[Farmerjon]

did you have anything in the jeep that would add weight to it?

[languiduck]

Yep, the "trailer" is the Jeep weight...i'm flat towing it. No trailer. But i fit on the scales like that and it worked out.

[Reddog1]

I find your weight to be interesting, when compared to mine. Your steering axle is 4660, and mine is 4200. Your Drive axle is 6400, and mine is 6400.

I do not pull a trailer, but do pull (flat tow) a 2800 lb (highly modified w/armor) Suzuki Samurai. Your Trailer axle is 4260. Your Gross Weight is 15320, and mine is 13400. We have a Gross Weight difference of 1920 lbs.

I have a 1996 2500 Dodge Ext Cab with diesel, and a 11.5 ft Bigfoot TC.

I don't see it as good, bad or indifferent, just interesting.

Wayne

[languiduck]

[Farmerjon]

I think it looks great. Yuh dun Good!!
Our truck squats about 3 1/2" with the camper loaded and ready to go but being a 1 ton it's lifted 2" higher in back to start with.
I use a 2x plus a section of 3/4 inch pvc never rot trim to space ours back about 3 1/2".
It clears the tail lights by less than an inch.
We have a 1/4 thick foam piece on the camper where the lights might touch.
I find that the spacing you have above the rails gives me enough room to place things beside the camper for storage. I keep hoses, extensions a tool box, blocks and more under there.
We flat tow a stock YJ behind ours and it works great. I share your concerns about possible trouble and not being aware of it so we are looking into a camera for when we tow the jeep and also for the horses.
Good luck and enjoy your rig , it looks great.
Jon

[Reddog1]

I think your steering might be (or feel) a little light at highway speeds? I do not see it as being a serious issue, if it is okay with your comfort level in driving. Obviously, you could use a carrier in the front loaded with the extra camping gear. That would add weight to the front axle.

I have used Weight Distribution hitches years ago, but do not remember much about them. I was wondering if you did pull a car trailer, and used a WDH, could you use the hitch to distribute some of the weight to the front axle?

Wayne

[exhaustipated]

I also agree that it looks good the way you've got it set up now. You still might want to run the loaded truck over the scales just to be sure. Now go camping and have fun.

[Bedlam]

I think it looks good the way you have it now. I would still run the loaded truck over the scales as you change things to see what affect it has on your CG and to make sure you stay within your tire and wheel limits.

Every couple of months I try to find an empty weigh station to see if my weight is where I think it is because it's easy to keep adding items inside the camper without pulling anything out.