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Old 04-08-2013, 09:20 PM   #1
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Smile TT loading question

I have a 2013 33RLDS, TV is a 2013 F-250 4x4 diesel tow rating for 14,000#'s. I have NOT been to scales to get my weights. Using a Husky W/D hitch with 800-1200# setup with sway bar. W/D hitch was setup by my dealer, but without trailer hooked up (basically set correct height as stated by Jayco). Question is: when loading up TT with gear is it better to be nose heavy versus tail heavy? I believe i understand ideally you would like it to be balanced with tongue weight of 10-15%. Scales are not an option at this time, nearest ones I know of are about an hour away. Is there a rule of thumb when loading a trailer? Loading the bed of the TV? Any tips would be helpful. Had camper for about 8 months but its been setup at my camp, pulling it on my first trip this weekend to Texas Motor Speedway.
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Old 04-09-2013, 06:43 AM   #2
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Tongue heavy will reduce sway. I once had a popup that I pulled all over the place without any problems. I added a bike rack to the rear bumper of the trailer, and all of a sudden I could not do more that 50 and it would go into a violent sway condition. I ended up adding a bolt on sway bar to the hitch. I also started loading tongue heavy.
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Old 04-09-2013, 09:52 AM   #3
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Originally Posted by mallardtuff View Post
I have a 2013 33RLDS, TV is a 2013 F-250 4x4 diesel tow rating for 14,000#'s. I have NOT been to scales to get my weights. Using a Husky W/D hitch with 800-1200# setup with sway bar. W/D hitch was setup by my dealer, but without trailer hooked up (basically set correct height as stated by Jayco). Question is: when loading up TT with gear is it better to be nose heavy versus tail heavy? I believe i understand ideally you would like it to be balanced with tongue weight of 10-15%. Scales are not an option at this time, nearest ones I know of are about an hour away. Is there a rule of thumb when loading a trailer? Loading the bed of the TV? Any tips would be helpful. Had camper for about 8 months but its been setup at my camp, pulling it on my first trip this weekend to Texas Motor Speedway.
If all your dealer did was set the hitch ball to TT coupler height, then he failed to perform the most important task .... that being adjust the WDH for proper weight distribution with the TV/TT hitched up (ideally under loaded conditions). In most cases under loaded TV/TT conditions the hitch ball/TT coupler height may have to be readjusted to obtain a "level" TT.

Also, IMO you will find that having a "loaded" tongue weight of 13% to 15% with your 36ft long TT will improve TV handling characteristics, especially under less than ideal towing conditions.

Unfortunately the CAT scale is the only way to know what is going on with your TV/TT loaded weights, and to confirm if your WDH is adjusted correctly. Check your TV's owners manual for the proper TV suspension requirements when using a WDH (ie; front suspension "return" height/weight). In respect to cargo in the bed of the TV, keep in mind that any cargo (% of) placed to the rear of the TV's axle is being supported by the WDH.

Depending on your personal loading habits the 33RLDS can be a very heavy TT (GVWR 10,300lbs), which means that the loaded tongue can exceed 1,200lbs and possibly your WDH rating.

http://www.jaycoowners.com/showthrea...igh-Your-tt-tv

Bob
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Old 04-09-2013, 10:44 AM   #4
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If you want to find out your TT tongue weight when your gear is loaded in, you might try the "bathroom scale method".
http://www.jaycoowners.com/showthrea...bathroom+scale

I tried that method, using a 4:1 ratio for the board span. You might need 5:1 if your tongue is near 1,200 lbs. After making the trip to the CAT scale, I found the bathroom scale had given me the tongue weight exactly the same as the CAT scale reading. Go figure!
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Old 04-09-2013, 12:18 PM   #5
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Tongue heavy is best ....
Unless you are way out in the boonies I bet you will have a cat scale near you... The are RV friendly you can do 3 weighs in one day truck and trailer together, truck only and then trailer only.. and that last one will give you the tongue weight as well...
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Old 04-09-2013, 03:30 PM   #6
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I knew that I was with in my weight limits and was pretty well ballanced but still worried about it. So we hitched up and took a short drive down the highway to the local CAT scale. Now I KNOW that I'm in my limits and ballanced.

Trip to the CAT scale, 1hr + $12
Knowing your weights, priceless

It was my first trip across the scales and didn't know how it all worked. Turns out I pretty much knew as much as the guy at the register (except he did know how to print the ticket so he was ahead of me there). Do a search for CAT scale and you can find many posts on how to do it and how to interpret the results (I did and that's what puts me back ahead of the guy at the register).

Back to your original question: nose or tail heavy. 100% not tail heavy! Knowing what your TT weighs (loaded) will tell you what the range of the tongue weight should be.
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Old 04-09-2013, 11:02 PM   #7
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Thanks, for the tips. I want to get to the scales ASAP, but, unfortunatly it can't happen before this trip. Just making sure, that when in doubt, don't load in the rear.
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Old 04-10-2013, 09:58 AM   #8
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snip...... Do a search for CAT scale and you can find many posts on how to do it and how to interpret the results..... snip
Provided a link in my prior reply.

Bob
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Old 04-10-2013, 10:11 AM   #9
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Provided a link in my prior reply.

Bob
Oops, I missed it.
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Old 04-10-2013, 10:19 AM   #10
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.... Your right though, there are a number of good references out there.

Bob
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