cancel
Showing results forย 
Search instead forย 
Did you mean:ย 

Tow question for new member

dw1gator
Explorer
Explorer
2003 Tahoe z71 4wd with tow package. 1750 payload 7400 towing capacity. 1000 tongue wt with wdh. 2016 coachman Catalina 273bh. 4800 dry wt, 540 tongue wt.
Am I ok here? Advice?
46 REPLIES 46

Ron_Gratz
Explorer
Explorer
dw1gator wrote:
Its possible thinking back. But I dont understand what you are seeing. Thers a 20# difference on the front axle and a 60# difference on the rear. Where do you get the 240# ? And that brings up a question. Where should one stand while weighing?
Your data indicate a load of 100# was transferred to the TT's axles when WD was applied.
This load is equal to about 13% of the indicated 760# tongue weight.

Based on assumed dimensions of:
TV wheelbase = 116",
ball overhang (longitudinal distance from TV's rear axle to ball) = 58",
and distance from ball to mid-point between TT's axles = 240",

a load transfer of 100# to TT axles would cause approximately:
255# to be added to the steer axle, and
355# to be subtracted from to the drive axle.
For the "WD engaged" weighing, the axle loads should have been approximately:
2900+255 = 3155# on the steer axle, and
3980-355 = 3625# on the drive axle.
The steer axle would have been about 3300-3155 = 145# lighter than when unhitched.

Instead, your data showed:
2880# on the steer axle (suggesting that 3155-2880 = 275# was "lost" from the steer axle), and
3920# on the drive axle (suggesting that 3920-3625 = 295# was "gained" by the drive axle).

On average, the data suggests that about 285#, which was on the steer axle pad during the "WD not engaged" weighing, showed up on the drive axle pad during the "WD engaged" weighing.
(Note: in the previous post, I assumed 240# was moved based on assumed dimensions for a Suburban rather than a Tahoe.)

The driver and all passengers should be in the same seats for all three weighings.
Some drivers use a short pole to press the call button while seated in the TV.

Ron

P.S. I think you're very wise to try to understand how your axle loads change when weight distribution is applied.

billroz
Explorer
Explorer
If I was that concerned about towing I would sell it all and go by taxi , try to enjoy you setup don't let this gargalygoop spoil it

dw1gator
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks lawrosa those videos were very informative.

dw1gator
Explorer
Explorer
lawrosa wrote:
dw1gator wrote:
dw1gator wrote:
ok. I got all the weights. Here goes.
GCVW. 11500. max rating is 13000
GVW 6800. Max rating is 6800
GFAW. 3140. max rating is 3600
GRAW 3660. max rating is 3750
GTW. 5300. max rating for pulling is 7400.
tongue weight is 580. that's 11% of trailer weight.
this is with TV and trailer fully loaded with our gear, passengers, and full tank.



If you look here at my first CAT wts you can see I'm closer on the front axel and less on the rear. Before dual cam install. All other wts are close to same. Except tongue wt.



I dont know if the first #'s were right. Those are actual CAT weights and specs I have listed.

If those are your door tag numbers posted below you are over your rear axle limits..Yes it is. And it was not over prior to dual sway control install.

Im concerned with what you tire side wall says for may pressure and weight ratings. In any rate make sure you put mac PSI cold in those tires


edit.. found it.. Make sure you inflate to max..

weight rating of the tires are 2535lbs each


Your only taking 80lbs off the rear with the wd hitch. You can do much better. Its not set up right INO..I agree. I alreadt had Reese WDH with trunion bars. First weights gave me some wt redistribution. I ordered the dual cams and had them installed. Now Im not getting wt distribution.

And there is no way that you were lighter with no WD hitch not installed compared to when you got it installed..No, you misunderstand. I already had WDH for first wts. Only the dual cams were installed prior to these wts.

did you get weighed with full gear , gas, and people? And last time without gear people and fuel?
Both times the same wt. with gear people etc. Actually if gas is about 8#/gallon, I may have been 60-65# lighter this time compared to first time. Everything else the same.

dw1gator
Explorer
Explorer
Ron Gratz wrote:
dw1gator wrote:
Ok I have more wts and used the calculator that was linked. I also had a Reese dual cam sway control installed and question the correctness. Prior to install I was getting some wt distribution. Now I have same WDH wiith the dual cams but seem to not get any wt distribution

Here are my wts.
With WDH engaged.
Front. 2880
Rear. 3920
Trailer. 4660
Total. 11460

With WDH not engaged
Front. 2900
Rear. 3980
Trailer. 4560
Total. 11440

Truck only
Front. 3300
Rear. 2820
Total. 6120
The numbers don't make sense.

The data suggest that a weight of approximately 240# somehow got moved from the steer-axle scale pad to the drive-axle pad between the "WDH not engaged" weighing and the "WDH engaged" weighing.

Is it possible that you were standing on the steer-axle pad during the "WDH not engaged" measurement, and were on the drive-axle pad during the "WDH engaged" measurement?

Ron


Its possible thinking back. But I dont understand what you are seeing. Thers a 20# difference on the front axle and a 60# difference on the rear. Where do you get the 240# ? And that brings up a question. Where should one stand while weighing?

Ron_Gratz
Explorer
Explorer
dw1gator wrote:
Ok I have more wts and used the calculator that was linked. I also had a Reese dual cam sway control installed and question the correctness. Prior to install I was getting some wt distribution. Now I have same WDH wiith the dual cams but seem to not get any wt distribution

Here are my wts.
With WDH engaged.
Front. 2880
Rear. 3920
Trailer. 4660
Total. 11460

With WDH not engaged
Front. 2900
Rear. 3980
Trailer. 4560
Total. 11440

Truck only
Front. 3300
Rear. 2820
Total. 6120
The numbers don't make sense.

The data suggest that a weight of approximately 240# somehow got moved from the steer-axle scale pad to the drive-axle pad between the "WDH not engaged" weighing and the "WDH engaged" weighing.

Is it possible that you were standing on the steer-axle pad during the "WDH not engaged" measurement, and were on the drive-axle pad during the "WDH engaged" measurement?

Ron

lawrosa
Explorer
Explorer
This is what that calculator is doing for you. This is the formula...

Weighing #1 -- TT attached and Weight Distribution Activated

Let Front Axle Load be "FA1"

Let Rear Axle Load be "RA1"

Let TT Axles Load be "TT1"

Then, while in same position on scales, take
Weighing #2 -- TT attached and Weight Distribution Not Activated

Let Front Axle Load be "FA2"

Let Rear Axle Load be "RA2"

Let TT Axles Load be "TT2"

Then, drive off scales and drop TT. Return to scales and take
Weighing #3 -- TV only -- TT Not Attached

Let Front Axle Load be "FA3"

Let Rear Axle Load be "RA3"

From the above values, you can calculate:

TV weight = FA3 + RA3

Gross Combined Weight = (FA1 + RA1 + TT1)
- should also be equal to (FA2 + RA2 + TT2) if scale weights are correct

TT Weight = Gross Combined Weight - TV Weight

Tongue Weight = (FA2 + RA2) - (FA3 + RA3)

Load Transferred to TT Axles
when WD System in Activated = TT1 - TT2
Mike L ... N.J.

2006 Silverado ext cab long bed. 3:42 rear. LM7 5.3 motor. 300 hp 350 ft lbs torgue @ 4000 rpms
2018 coachmen Catalina sbx 261bh

lawrosa
Explorer
Explorer
dw1gator wrote:
dw1gator wrote:
ok. I got all the weights. Here goes.
GCVW. 11500. max rating is 13000
GVW 6800. Max rating is 6800
GFAW. 3140. max rating is 3600
GRAW 3660. max rating is 3750
GTW. 5300. max rating for pulling is 7400.
tongue weight is 580. that's 11% of trailer weight.
this is with TV and trailer fully loaded with our gear, passengers, and full tank.



If you look here at my first CAT wts you can see I'm closer on the front axel and less on the rear. Before dual cam install. All other wts are close to same. Except tongue wt.



I dont know if the first #'s were right.

If those are your door tag numbers posted below you are over your rear axle limits..

Im concerned with what you tire side wall says for may pressure and weight ratings. In any rate make sure you put mac PSI cold in those tires


edit.. found it.. Make sure you inflate to max..

weight rating of the tires are 2535lbs each


Your only taking 80lbs off the rear with the wd hitch. You can do much better. Its not set up right INO..

And there is no way that you were lighter with no WD hitch not installed compared to when you got it installed..

did you get weighed with full gear , gas, and people? And last time without gear people and fuel?
Mike L ... N.J.

2006 Silverado ext cab long bed. 3:42 rear. LM7 5.3 motor. 300 hp 350 ft lbs torgue @ 4000 rpms
2018 coachmen Catalina sbx 261bh

dw1gator
Explorer
Explorer
dw1gator wrote:
ok. I got all the weights. Here goes.
GCVW. 11500. max rating is 13000
GVW 6800. Max rating is 6800
GFAW. 3140. max rating is 3600
GRAW 3660. max rating is 3750
GTW. 5300. max rating for pulling is 7400.
tongue weight is 580. that's 11% of trailer weight.
this is with TV and trailer fully loaded with our gear, passengers, and full tank.



If you look here at my first CAT wts you can see I'm closer on the front axel and less on the rear. Before dual cam install. All other wts are close to same. Except tongue wt.

dw1gator
Explorer
Explorer
Front. 3600
Rear. 3750

dw1gator
Explorer
Explorer
lawrosa wrote:
dw1gator wrote:
Ok I have more wts and used the calculator that was linked. I also had a Reese dual cam sway control installed and question the correctness. Prior to install I was getting some wt distribution. Now I have same WDH wiith the dual cams but seem to not get any wt distribution

Here are my wts.
With WDH engaged.
Front. 2880
Rear. 3920
Trailer. 4660
Total. 11460

With WDH not engaged
Front. 2900
Rear. 3980
Trailer. 4560
Total. 11440

Truck only
Front. 3300
Rear. 2820
Total. 6120


Your tongue weight is 760 lbs.. A bit heavvy. Your only moving 100 lbs off the truck to the trailer with the WD hitch

WDH was shifting more wt before dual cam install.

What link are you on with the chains? 8 hanging

Are the bars parellel wuth the frame of the camper?yes

Your need at least 5 chain links remaining. If you are at the 5 chain link limit and not getting the proper weight distribution the shank/ball will need to be tilted more back towards the trailer.

This will allow you to move more weight...

You need to restore your 3300 lb front truck only axle weight back as close to original as you can.. Your far off.

I can tell it too

Your at 2880 with wd.. You can get better then that IMO and get closer to the 3300 truck only weight.

You may or may not need to lift the ball up or down too..

If you take a pic we can see right away .. Take a pic of truck and trailer. we look for level. And take pic of bars WD engaged...

I will

Watch this video. about the 9 min mark it shows the chain and tilt procedure..

And shows how to measure with a ruler the wheel wells..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=2&v=7731SkSgEqE..

This one too...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTQ5ML-O4B0


Also post the axle ratings in the door tag of the truck please...
.
Thanks

lawrosa
Explorer
Explorer
dw1gator wrote:
Ok I have more wts and used the calculator that was linked. I also had a Reese dual cam sway control installed and question the correctness. Prior to install I was getting some wt distribution. Now I have same WDH wiith the dual cams but seem to not get any wt distribution

Here are my wts.
With WDH engaged.
Front. 2880
Rear. 3920
Trailer. 4660
Total. 11460

With WDH not engaged
Front. 2900
Rear. 3980
Trailer. 4560
Total. 11440

Truck only
Front. 3300
Rear. 2820
Total. 6120


Your tongue weight is 760 lbs.. A bit heavvy. Your only moving 100 lbs off the truck to the trailer with the WD hitch..

What link are you on with the chains?

Are the bars parellel wuth the frame of the camper?

Your need at least 5 chain links remaining. If you are at the 5 chain link limit and not getting the proper weight distribution the shank/ball will need to be tilted more back towards the trailer.

This will allow you to move more weight...

You need to restore your 3300 lb front truck only axle weight back as close to original as you can.. Your far off.

Your at 2880 with wd.. You can get better then that IMO and get closer to the 3300 truck only weight.

You may or may not need to lift the ball up or down too..

If you take a pic we can see right away .. Take a pic of truck and trailer. we look for level. And take pic of bars WD engaged...

Watch this video. about the 9 min mark it shows the chain and tilt procedure..

And shows how to measure with a ruler the wheel wells..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=2&v=7731SkSgEqE..

This one too...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTQ5ML-O4B0


Also post the axle ratings in the door tag of the truck please...
Mike L ... N.J.

2006 Silverado ext cab long bed. 3:42 rear. LM7 5.3 motor. 300 hp 350 ft lbs torgue @ 4000 rpms
2018 coachmen Catalina sbx 261bh

dw1gator
Explorer
Explorer
Ok I have more wts and used the calculator that was linked. I also had a Reese dual cam sway control installed and question the correctness. Prior to install I was getting some wt distribution. Now I have same WDH wiith the dual cams but seem to not get any wt distribution

Here are my wts.
With WDH engaged.
Front. 2880
Rear. 3920
Trailer. 4660
Total. 11460

With WDH not engaged
Front. 2900
Rear. 3980
Trailer. 4560
Total. 11440

Truck only
Front. 3300
Rear. 2820
Total. 6120

MitchF150
Explorer III
Explorer III
Seems you already have the truck and the trailer and have it hitched up and towed with it?? Did you feel "okay" with how it towed? It sounds like you didn't end up in a flaming ball of fire, so you must have survived?? ๐Ÿ˜‰

I've been towing things for a long time and regardless of knowing the exact 'weights' of everything, once you get out on the road, you will KNOW if it's right or not... I've towed overloaded and I've towed within specs and you KNOW when you are overloaded.. ๐Ÿ™‚

Good luck and safe travels..

Mitch
2013 F150 XLT 4x4 SuperCab Max Tow Egoboost 3.73 gears #7700 GVWR #1920 payload. 2019 Rockwood Mini Lite 2511S.