What's wrong with too much tongue weight?
I understand that too little tongue weight will lead to sway and that the target is between 10-15%, but are there any consequences to having more than that? I don't have concerns with my payload or W...
Forum Discussion
flintsters wrote:That doesn't seem right. Is that with the TT coupler sitting on the ball? Fender height measurement is with a TT unhooked vs. sitting on the ball. I'm running close to 100% weight restoration on the steer axle on our '09 F250 and am about 1/4" from unloaded fender height and IIRC, front rises about an inch before the WDH is engaged. I played around with various settings overall and found this better for sway. Newer trucks specify less weight restoration (50%?) but I *think* it is okay to go higher if wanted.
When I hook up the TT the front of my truck fenders does not change whether WDH is engaged or not.
What frame is on the Jay Feather? Is it a Norco BAL like other Jayco models? Looks like it from photos. The BAL frame is completely different than Lippert frames in that they use a special type of rivet instead of welding. I've read in the past that there are some concerns about too high TW and/or over-tightening a WDH as it is hard on the BAL A-frame to main frame connection.
flintsters wrote:I asked the same question about TW above 15% a few years ago and got the same answer - no problem as long as you aren't exceeding any max. ratings, the WDH rating is correct and WDH can be properly adjusted. Our TT was just under 15% TW the last time I weighed it. I'd rather be on the high side of average rather than under.
I am still trying to figure out the WDH, however, because it seems like I am getting more movement back there then I feel like I should. Seems like when I get up around 55-60 it feels like a little sway and also happens a fair amount with passing trucks.
You need to go to a scale to get all your weights (3 pass method).*If* you happened to be at the max. 7500 lbs on the TT GVW, the 1200 lb rated spring bars/WDH would mean max TW would be 16%. I think being that high is pretty uncommon, especially on an ultralite TT. Note that depending on holding tank location, towing with one or more full tanks can affect TW and towing/sway.
If your question is related to sway and how the TT feels going down the road, there are other things that can contribute. Air pressure is one and should run max sidewall psi on the TT tires. Higher psi on the truck tires when towing can help. I run 80 psi on the rear and 75 on the front. TT should be level when hooked up to slightly nose down. I found that slightly nose down was better and had to get a ball with 1" rise to accomplish that.
Once you have done all the "right stuff", you should be able to tow all day long on the interstate and have negligible to zero sway. To go a step further, shocks on the TT and better shocks on the TV can make a dramatic improvement. Took me a while to get everything all sorted out (including Bilsteins on truck and shocks on trailer) and now have no sway and also excellent handling on twisty/bouncy secondary highways.
A photo of truck and trailer hooked up and from a distance and another one of the WDH setup close up might help.
