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.

[Jebby14]

prichardson wrote:
The method is sound but the math is faulty. OPs multiplier should be 3 not 4 as the way the tongue is positioned the scale is supporting 1/3 of the weight.

this

[_DJ_1]

I bought the Sherline scale years ago. Actually have ended up using it more than I thought so it was a good investment.

[prichardson]

The method is sound but the math is faulty. OPs multiplier should be 3 not 4 as the way the tongue is positioned the scale is supporting 1/3 of the weight.

[Lynnmor]

If you used rollers, measured carefully, and had the trailer level on a level surface and the scale is accurate, the results are accurate.

[Crabbypatty]

I had it set up with the scale 3 feet left of the center point and the fixed point 1 foot to the right. Both on pipe rollers as it was illustrated. Trailer was level. This was how I saw it performed after googling and viewing on youtube. Im not about to go out and buy a $300 scale for just one use, so I used the bath scale technique.

[fla-gypsy]

You need to verify the weight in a more accurate manner. What is the actual weight of the trailer ready to roll?

[horton333]

If the weight did not change at all when you took 100 pounds out of the storage then measurement's absolute accuracy is not so much your problem as something is physically stuck. Fix that, then worry about the absolute number. Copy the photo technique, likely change to a differing ratio (weight closer to the fixed point) unless you have a very heavy duty scale.

[SoundGuy]

Using a tongue weight beam and bathroom scale always worked well for me with a popup ...



... although I did later invest in a Sherline tongue weight scale for checking travel trailer gross tongue weight ...



Here's just one example of a tongue weight beam that should work well.

[westend]

At what position and at what length did you have the fulcrum for the 4 x 4? IMO, the board and bath scale can be inaccurate. I'd suggest you strap on the Reese and visit a scale for accurate weights.