hs4816
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Trailer length and sway
Looking for unbiased advice from experienced towers. Buying both a TV and TT. Will likely be going with a RAM1500 Laramie. No plans to push the limits on payload or towing capacity, but are worried about sway relative to the trucks wheelbase and the trailer length. I’ve seen the “rule of thumb” math formula published, but have also seen people saying it’s an arbitrary **** number. Curious what you all feel would be a comfortable and safe maximum length for a trailer. Thanks!4.4KViews0likes16CommentsRe: Overwhelmed and worried about safety
Sure, but can't they estimate/calculate a "loaded tongue weight" at full carrying capacity? Regardless, once it is loaded and you weigh it what determines if it is 10% or 15% or somewhere in between?? Isn't random or does it have to do with the hitch type? drsteve wrote: hs4816 wrote: Is there any way to figure out exactly what the tongue weihht will be, assuming the trailer is loaded to the maximum and the weight is distributed evenly. Like, what determines if its 12% or if its 15% -- trailer type? Hitch brand? Or is the only way to actually load it and measure it? (ie. Why dont trailer manufacturers list a "loaded tongue weight" as opposed to a dry hitch weight? The only way to truly know is to go to the scales, or weigh it with a tongue scale. The manufacturer lists the dry tongue weight because that's the only one they can measure. They do not know how, or how much, the trailer will be loaded when in use.630Views0likes0CommentsRe: Overwhelmed and worried about safety
Is there any way to figure out exactly what the tongue weihht will be, assuming the trailer is loaded to the maximum and the weight is distributed evenly. Like, what determines if its 12% or if its 15% -- trailer type? Hitch brand? Or is the only way to actually load it and measure it? (ie. Why dont trailer manufacturers list a "loaded tongue weight" as opposed to a dry hitch weight? BenK wrote: Forgot to touch on the tongue weight questions It should be in the 12% to 15% of the trailers actual weight. Orientation should be level at it's highest pointing. Preference it to point slightly down below level The trailer will follow best with the above conditions.381Views0likes0CommentsRe: Overwhelmed and worried about safety
Where do I find this?? I was using the sticker inside door. "The combined weights of occupants plus cargo should never exceed 1050 lbs" kerrlakeRoo wrote: OP, double check your load capacity on your jeep. I just googled 2015 jeep towing capacity and came up with tow numbers right in your range but load capacities well above, ranging from 1350 to 1955 lbs. Installed options and other items can change that, but your current number seems low. On your tongue weight, you may not be considering the weight as used in the real world. Dealers will give you a tongue weight which is from when it rolled off the factory floor, before batteries, (45lbs each), Propane and tanks, (35-50lbs each) are added to the tongue. Also remember that the weight dist hitch will add 80 to 100 lbs to your load.381Views0likes0CommentsOverwhelmed and worried about safety
Hi all. I know threads of "can I tow XYZ with my ABC" probably get annoying and I've been reading and reading and reading. But I'm overwhelmed and my partner and I have never towed anything before. This is a major purchase and I'm afraid if we don't have the physics/math sorted out we could buy something that ends up unsafe. We have a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee with tow package. Unsure if it's a class 3 or 4 hitch, but will need to check that obviously. From what I can tell, the manufacturer recommended 6200 max pounds is pretty much a number to ignore and we should be focusing on tongue weight? (all the dealers just keep saying we're fine and are pushing bigger/heavier units). If my partner + me + baby + carseat = 510 pounds (round up to 550 pounds) and the Jeep has a limit of 1050 pounds for passenger + cargo, then that leaves us 500 pounds for the tongue weight (and no room to pack any gear at all in the car). Correct? So if we are looking at a hybrid travel trailer that weighs 5400 fully loaded and the tongue weight is 10-15% of that (540-810) then that's too big for us. Right? Is there anyway to find out the exact tongue weight of a specific trailer before you buy it?? Or can I assume we will never fully load it and can keep it safely under 5400 pounds? Also, our plan is to have sway bars, but is there a specific hitch type/brand you'd suggest we look at? Seems like a tongue weight scale is an important purchase? Any other thoughts??6.4KViews0likes37Comments
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