Spray56,
Great effort on getting your TV/TT weight results from the CAT scale!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Spray56
snip...... came up with a loaded TT weight of 6,280# (using the average of the two GCWs), a loaded tongue weight of 880# .....snip
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Your actual loaded TT weight, including tongue weight is: (12,640lbs - 6,380lbs) = 6,260lbs
Your correct, a loaded tongue weight of 880lbs (on the hitch ball)..., but your RV dealer provided WDH/Dual Cam is rated at 800lbs, which is under rated for your TT. I would inform your RV dealership that they need to provide you with a WDH/Dual Cam rated at 1,200lbs (at no cost to you).
NOTE: In many cases it only involves exchanging the spring bars, not the entire WDH/Dual Cam assembly. May have to tweak the cam arm adjustment to get the 1,200lb bars centered over the cam surface.
Also, (13% to 15%) of 6,260lbs = 813lbs to 939lbs for a recommended loaded tongue weight, and at 880lbs your in the sweet spot... the best place to be!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Spray56
snip...... 1) The TV GVWR is 7,200# and based on the loaded TV weight and the tongue weight, I appear to be over by about 60#. I’m thinking I need to move a bit of gear out of the front pass and store it in other more aft areas of the TT.....snip
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Actually you are
80lbs under your TV's GVWR when hitched, w/WD's
engaged; (7,200lbs - 7,120lbs) = 80lbs
Quote:
Originally Posted by Spray56
snip...... 2) The TV/TT combination looks level with the spring bars (800# trunnion) of the Reese HP dual cam WD hitch parallel to the frame on the 5th link up from the bar. However I was wondering if the WD hitch is adjusted optimally since I’m near the Avalanche’s 4,100# RAWR while the loaded TV weight is about equally distributed on both axles when unhitched......snip
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Your TV when "unhitched" has a FA of 3,260lbs, but when hitched/engaged the FA is 3,120lbs. IMO I would tilt your WDH ball mount "one" more position toward the TT, but keep the same 5 chain links under tension..., doing this will remove a little more weight off the TV rear axle distributing most to the TV front axle and some to the TT axles. The objective is to get closer to the original unhitched TV FA of 3,260lbs
without exceeding it (you presently have a 140lb delta).
NOTE: If you go with a WDH rated at 1,200lbs, don't change the WDH ball mount tilt angle, the added force of the 1,200lb spring bars at 5 links under tension may be enough.
Check your GM owners manual, some of the newer GM vehicles when using a WDH may recommend that "not all of the weight removed from the TV FA has to be replace (ie; fender height measurments)"..., IMO getting closer to the original FA unhitched weight will be fine, and may be to your advantage.
Don't worry about obtaining equal TV axle squat, and/or equal weight distribution to both TV axles, the objective of the WDH is to address the loss of weight over the TV's front axle do to the weight of the TT tongue being placed on the hitch ball. When a WDH is adjusted correctly most TV's will squat a little in the rear (1"-2" depending on suspension). Leveling the TT is accomplished by moving the WDH ball mount up or down on the draw bar.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Spray56
snip......3) The 4,000# on the rear axle made the rear tires really squat and my tire shop recommended increasing the rear tire (P275/55R20) pressure to 45# and the front to 40# to compensate. I was wondering if there is anything else I should be doing when towing, such as installing the coil spring air bag inserts I’ve read about.....snip
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From a TV handling standpoint the tires should be at maximum PSI.., but a set of "LT" will give you much better TV handling characteristics. LT tires have a stiffer sidewall design than "P" tires, thus reducing that spongy feel when under load.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Spray56
snip......4) The GVW of my delivered TT is 5,910# versus 5,400# spec while the GVWR of 7,500# GVWR is the same as spec However, I noticed the GAWR is only 7,000# and was wondering if the tongue weight makes up the remainder of the GVWR.....snip
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The TT GAWR of 7,000lbs is taking into consideration that the tongue weight is supported by the TV, not the TT axles while in tow.
In summary, it appears that your TV/TT combination is
doable, but with some very controlled and limited loaded weights under ideal towing conditions. What also plays into towing at/or near one's TV weight limits is our personal towing expectations of our TV under different towing conditions (weather, speed, mountains, etc.).
Bob