Tongue Weight

[Crabbypatty]

My Sunnybrook 2008 298BHS manual states that the tongue weight "empty" is 906lbs. We bought a new TV and I need to adjust my hitch and wanted to figure out the tongue weight. I used the bathroom scale and a 4ft 4x4. I was very surprised to see the dial spin and indicate 340lbs x 4 = 1360 lbs. While I didnt expect 906 I also didnt think it was that heavy. Interesting I emptied the cargo bay and the scale didnt move even though I removed more than 100lbs of supplies.

How accurate is that technique? I still need to adjust the hitch but I have a 1200/12000lb Reese dual cam sway. If that weight is true then I need to upgrade to the 1500/15000 hitch.

Just curious what others have found out.

[Crabbypatty]

I am going to unload and reload the front and rear compartments. Then test the tongue weight. I also have 4 solar panels up on the roof and they really don't weigh much but it must be cumulative. Once I determine the weight Ill see if I need to upgrade the hitch. I also will scout for a Sherline seems like an easier way to do it as we spend around 21 days in the unit.

[krobbe]

I use my Sherline after loading up. I balance the load to shoot for a tongue weight of 1100lbs. I've had to move some heavier items(full cooler, generator, large socket set) to the rear to counter balance some water in the forward tank. It really is a worthwhile tool.

[TxTwoSome]

Walaby wrote:

Crabbypatty wrote:
Im not about to go out and buy a $300 scale for just one use, so I used the bath scale technique.

$145 on Amazon.

Mike

I was lucky $20 on Craig's list!

[rbpru]

What you are really interested in is the change in weight on your TV when the TT is ready to roll. I have found 100 lbs swings in my tongue weight depending on how the TT is loaded.

Weighing the tongue is fine. But it is just a number. The WD hitch offsets some of the tongue weight as it levels the TV and TT.

Go to the CAT scales and weight the TV then weigh the TV, TT combo and you will know the axle loads for that trip. You can calculate the rest.

[bbaker2001]

I have a shoreline, if you would pay shipping both ways I would be glad to let you borrow it

[lbrjet]

With the first two weightings above you need to subtract the truck weight from the 1st weighing from the truck weight of the second weighing. The rear axle will be heavier than the tongue weight in weighing 2 because weight will be shifted from the front axle to the rear axle.

[Walaby]

Crabbypatty wrote:
Weighing the TT isnt going to give me the Tongue Weight but still would be interesting.

Actually it will. Weight truck alone, hook trailer up to truck without WD bars connected. All tongue weight will be on rear axle of truck. Subtract rear axle of truck weight from rear axle with trailer connected, without WD hitch connected, and you will have your tongue weight.

Weigh again with WD hooked up and you will know how much weight is distributed to front axles and trailer axles.

So, 3 weights

Truck alone
Truck with Trailer but WD bars not engaged
Truck with trailer and WD bars hooked up.

Mike

[Walaby]

Crabbypatty wrote:
Im not about to go out and buy a $300 scale for just one use, so I used the bath scale technique.

$145 on Amazon.

Mike

[mosseater]

As you can see by my sig pic, I have that exact trailer. I verified the tongue weight at the dealer with a Sherline before purchase and also brought several water jugs for the rear to check reduction of tongue weight the day we picked it up. I routinely add most of my travel goodies to the rear compartment, as it is huge. Two boxes of fire wood, three bikes, cases of drinks, clothes, misc tools, camping chairs, all of it. I have tested my tongue weight with a hydraulic scale I made, which is tested and calibrated to be every bit as accurate as a Sherline, and what I have found is that you can take a 1250 lb tongue down to 1050 by loading the rear compartment. It should be noted, however, that it is not a linear equation. IOW, the more you add to the rear doesn't continue to reduce the tongue proportionally. There is a law of diminishing returns which kicks in at some point which I can't seem to explain. Possibly the suspension compressing accounts for a loss in reduction of tongue weight, don't know.

At any rate, I have weighed my setup several times in various loadings and normally tow for camping at 7800-8200 lbs., and tongue weights are between 1050-1200 lbs. I run a Reese Dual Cam 1200 lb system and it works pretty well. I can't imagine loading the trailer to it's maximum GVWR but it can be done, provided one has the tv to pull it. I do not currently, and haven't had the need to take that much stuff along. It's been a pretty good trailer and tow system for us. My tv is the weak link, mostly from a power standpoint. It handles the trailer fine, but needs more power at times.

[Crabbypatty]

Weighing the TT isnt going to give me the Tongue Weight but still would be interesting. They have a scale in the nearby quarry but they are busy I ll see if I cant get the TT weighed in as well.

But for now I believe Im accurate and will see about moving somethings around in the unit to bring some of the weight off of the tongue. Im still undecided on upgrading the hitch or not...Thanks all for the constructive input.

[myredracer]

Google says the GVWR for that 33' TT is 10,000 lbs and dry weight is 6615 lbs. Without using any type of scale, based on a typical TW of 12-13 percent, the actual tongue weight all loaded up for camping could be as much as up around 1200 - 1300 lbs. Depends on how much you load into it. That particular TT has a high CCC and maybe you will never be anywhere near 10K total weight. Best thing would be to find a scale nearby. You might find your existing Reese WDH is okay.

[wrvond]

https://catscale.com/cat-scale-locator/

If you take it to the CAT scales, you'll be able to find out how much weight you have on each axle, as well as the tongue, and it doesn't cost an arm or a leg.

Dry weight is pretty much what your camper weighed at the end of the assembly line. This means it had no water and no propane tanks, or any options added by the dealer or yourself, such as a television.

[Crabbypatty]

According to etrailer you multiply the distance between the two pipes. In this instance it's 4 feet so it's scale reading X 4. I did it correctly.

I guess what do they mean by dry weight? Two lp tanks are 65 lbs each. Two 6v batteries are also 65 lbs each right there is 270 lbs that's 1170 without the front storage, under the bed and essentially everything from the tires forward that are loaded in. Dishes and all.

[janechucknicode]

My easist way was to go to a PUBLIC scales, and this make the truest way . With the unit loaded as travel, leave the CHOCKED wheels OFF the scales before entering, set the tounge directly on to a 2x4 under the hitch ball , and weigh it there .

This is so simple and easy,..
Thats my 10.cents worth
:B