Visited scale - light tongue weight?

AmericanBiker · 08-19-2019, 11:08 AM

My truck is on the lighter end of capability but it handles this trailer pretty well. I recently visited a CAT scale and weighed my setup. Loaded with 2 motorcycles and full fresh water. I think my tongue weight is a bit light. I may load the bikes backwards and then end to end instead of side by side to see if I can get more weight up front. Any thought on this?
Scaled without and then with trailer . Both truck and trailer were weighed without the WDH so add about 75lbs. Here are a few pics of my truck and trailer specs.

I have a tongue scale and it shows close to 850lbs as loaded.

jimp · 08-19-2019, 03:40 PM

How does the trailer sit when loaded up and hitched to the truck with the WDH bars on? Level to a bit nose down?? Are you getting any sway at speed rolling down the road? How does it handle when 18 wheelers pass or you meet them on 2 lane roads???

Rustic Eagle · 08-19-2019, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmericanBiker

snip...... I think my tongue weight is a bit light....snip

I agree.

Your present 850lb loaded tongue weight is 10.4% of your TH gross loaded weight. Towing a heavy TH near 10% can make TV handling a bit challenging at times, especially in less than ideal towing conditions (sudden maneuvers, wind, etc.).

Based on your information provided...., it appears your TH gross loaded weight is 8,200lbs. The recommended loaded tongue weight range @ 8,200lbs = 1,066lb to 1,230lb range (13% to 15%)...., IMO with 15% being the target.

Bob

AmericanBiker · 08-20-2019, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimp

How does the trailer sit when loaded up and hitched to the truck with the WDH bars on? Level to a bit nose down?? Are you getting any sway at speed rolling down the road? How does it handle when 18 wheelers pass or you meet them on 2 lane roads???

Truck and trailer sit nice and level just like my sig pic. I noticed a bit of sway above 65mph the other day on the highway... but I usually travel at 62mph.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rustic Eagle

I agree.

Your present 850lb loaded tongue weight is 10.4% of your TH gross loaded weight. Towing a heavy TH near 10% can make TV handling a bit challenging at times, especially in less than ideal towing conditions (sudden maneuvers, wind, etc.).

Based on your information provided...., it appears your TH gross loaded weight is 8,200lbs. The recommended loaded tongue weight range @ 8,200lbs = 1,066lb to 1,230lb range (13% to 15%)...., IMO with 15% being the target.

Bob

I agree... I need more tongue weight. I have a plan to move one of the motorcycles forward. My limiting factor is my light RAWR but I hope to get close to a 15% tongue weight without going over.

jimp · 08-20-2019, 05:44 AM

Just remember you probably have a TW/hitch limitation of around 1050# on that model PU. Look on the underside of the hitch for a OEM sticker.

AmericanBiker · 08-20-2019, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimp

Just remember you probably have a TW/hitch limitation of around 1050# on that model PU. Look on the underside of the hitch for a OEM sticker.

Yea, I'm at 1110 lbs on the receiver hitch. That only gives me a few hundred pounds to shift forward. I'll see what moving one motorcycle forward does.

AmericanBiker · 08-26-2019, 06:24 AM

I managed to move 250lbs of weight to the tongue by moving one motorcycle forward. This put me right at my hitch max and 150lbs under my rear axle GVWR.
Handling at 65mph was way better.

Rustic Eagle · 08-26-2019, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmericanBiker

I managed to move 250lbs of weight to the tongue by moving one motorcycle forward........snip

Great you had the real estate to move the bike.

Bob

jimp · 08-26-2019, 02:22 PM

Does look a bit odd to open the door and see a cycle there. LOL Glad it was "easy" to fix the sway issue.

Rustic Eagle · 08-26-2019, 03:20 PM

AmericanBiker,

For protecting your floor and possibly help keep the bike from moving on the floor surface when strapped down........., I put some "ToolShed" foam floor matting down in my pass-thru storage area. This isn't a rubber material, but grips like it....., my heavy tool box and stuff stay put. I didn't glue or staple it down. Most big box stores carry it.

It comes in rolls (easy cut-to-fit) and also in interlocking squares, this is what I used:

Easy to put aside when your bikes are outside.

Bob

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