Bent tongue?

[Skwidward]

I’ve noticed a slight upwards tilt to my trailer’s tongue compared to the line of the rest of the frame.

I have a jay flight 195RB

All of the welds look good, no cracks, etc. I’m wondering if anyone else has had this issue.

My worry is that my trailer is a single axle so it bounces on my truck’s suspension at times when towing. I do have some extra weight in the front above what is factory....maybe 300 lbs as an over estimation. I’m worried the bouncing with the extra weight has basically “bent” the tongue.

That or it just got made like this by Jayco and that’s how it is.

[Midnightmoon]

There was a thread on this subject a little while ago where a member had a Jayco 19 something with what appeared to be a bent frame. I couldn't find it for you on a quick search but maybe someone else will remember it and have a link for you.

[Rustic Eagle]

Here's a couple threads on the subject:

https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f...h-52659-2.html

https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f...e-51720-2.html

Bob

[Midnightmoon]

That's the one I was thinking of. Thanks for finding it.

[Skwidward]

Hey Guys,

Thanks for the responses. I read those threads. One was way bent compared to mine, and the other turned out to be just the OP’s eyesight

I had trailer come check it out today. He said it does look like it goes up a bit but is structurally sound. He said it’s not worth doing any reinforcements or anything.

I just ran to a CAT scale.

Tongue weight - 620 lbs (with 2/3 full fresh water tank and 100 lbs dometic chest fridge at the front)

Total trailer weight - 4,360 lbs

So tongue weight is around 14%

Sticker GVWR is 3,750, so I’m a little overweight.

In the past we replaced the 3,500 lbs axle with a 5,200 lbs axle and larger wheels. We’’be been running on 6,000 lbs leaf springs (3k each side), so we’ve been way over springed. Going over bumps when towing the trailer rocks back and forth like a teeter totter rotating on the axle and bouncing on the TV’s rear suspension.

The trailer guy is gonna replace our 6,000 lbs leaf springs with 5,000 lbs leafs springs, as he says this will make for a softer and more forgiving ride for our trailer’s frame.

Any issues with being at 4,360 lbs when sticker GVWR is only 3,750?

I’ve attached some photos of the trailer at the CAT scale. The trailer itself is not level, as the tongue jack is jacked up pretty high to get the truck out and back in. Dunno how useful the photos will be, but still

[Skwidward]

Also, I measured how much my TV’s hitch drops under the weight of the trailer. 1 - 1/4”

[Biggiantshane]

I just bought a 2020 265RLS and when I was trying to level it, the inside floor would read level but when I set it on the tongue it would be about a quarter bubble off. It is a brand new camper so I'm thinking/hoping there may be some angle built into it.

[DOUBLETROUBLE]

My thoughts:
So, you have a 610lb difference between actual trailer weight and the stated GVWR of the trailer. But also you said you swapped out the 3500# axle and springs for a 5200# axle and 6000# springs. Now, some of the added weight could be credited to the heavier running gear you've installed but I am curious why such overkill? With the added stiffness of the springs/axle and assuming heavier load range tire what you have effectively done is nearly solid mounted your axle to the frame which in turn transfers all the pounding from the road directly to the frame. It is the job of the springs/tire to absorb this harshness. By transferring it to the frame itself something has to give. The metal will bend, fatigue and eventually crack or break.
I think I would find a new "trailer guy".