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Old 06-15-2019, 07:49 PM   #1
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Help me understand my numbers

So I went to a local farm today to get my trailer and truck weighted before our long trip. I had an almost full tank of diesel, wife, 1 of my 3 daughters, and the truck bed loaded like I hope to take it (5 bikes, generator, honey wagon, etc). The trailer was mostly loaded minus the food in the fridge and about 1/2 of our dry goods. It had a full tank of fresh water (about 30 gallons). How do I figure the tongue weight and percentage with these numbers? Does it seem like my WDH is set up right and doing it's thing? The max on the yellow sticker of my trailer says 7500 lbs. By the looks of it, I am 200 lbs over on the trailer capacity. Is that close enough or do I need to trim up some?

Tow Vehicle with WDH Hooked Up
TV front axle = 4,620 lbs
TV front and rear axles = 9,620 lbs
TV + TT Axles = 16,100 lbs

Tow Vehicle with WDH Unhooked
TV front axle = 4380 lbs
TV front and rear axles = 9720 lbs
TV & TT Axles = 16,100 lbs

TV Only
Front axle = 4680 lbs
Both axles = 8400 lbs
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Old 06-15-2019, 09:59 PM   #2
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Based on your scaled weights (I assume a 2015 2500HD Diesel & 2012 Jay Feather Select 29L):

Trailer Loaded Gross Weight: 16,100lbs - 8,400lbs = 7,700lbs

Loaded Tongue Weight: 9,720lbs - 8,400lbs = 1,320lbs

Loaded Tongue Weight Percentage: 1,320lbs of 7,700lbs = 17.14%

Trailer Load on Axles "In-Tow" = 7,700lbs - 1,320lbs = 6,380lbs

TV Front Axle: 4,680lbs (TV only) - 4,620lbs (TV w/WDH engaged) = 60lb Delta

Your TT loaded gross weight while in-tow (6,380lbs) is below your TT's GVWR of 7,500lbs...., but confirm your actual TT axle(s) and tire weight ratings. Loaded tongue weight is supported by the TV.

Loaded tongue weight is a "little" on the heavy side (17%), possibly due to the location of the "full" fresh water tank. I would consider dropping some TT gross weight that would result in a 13% to 15% loaded tongue weight range.

Your WDH adjustment returned all but 60lbs back to the TV's front axle, which is just fine (a better condition than returning too much weight).

Confirm TV's GVWR against TV loaded weight of 9,620lbs. Also, keep in mind any added weight not account for at the CAT scale.

Confirm TV's rear GAWR against TV loaded axle weight of 5,000lbs (9,620lbs - 4,620lbs), and TV rear tire weight rating.

Confirm WDH spring bar rating will support 1,320lbs.

Confirm TV OEM receiver weight ratings when using WDH (weight distribution).

Hope this helps...., and check my math

Bob
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2016 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4.10
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2002 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4:10 (retired)
2005 Jayco Eagle 278FBS (retired)
1999 Jayco Eagle 246FB (retired)
Reese HP Dual Cam (Strait-Line)
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Old 06-16-2019, 06:10 AM   #3
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See my responses below in blue

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rustic Eagle View Post
Based on your scaled weights (I assume a 2015 2500HD Diesel & 2012 Jay Feather Select 29L):Yes, that is the same setup

Trailer Loaded Gross Weight: 16,100lbs - 8,400lbs = 7,700lbs

Loaded Tongue Weight: 9,720lbs - 8,400lbs = 1,320lbs

Loaded Tongue Weight Percentage: 1,320lbs of 7,700lbs = 17.14%

Trailer Load on Axles "In-Tow" = 7,700lbs - 1,320lbs = 6,380lbs

TV Front Axle: 4,680lbs (TV only) - 4,620lbs (TV w/WDH engaged) = 60lb Delta

Your TT loaded gross weight while in-tow (6,380lbs) is below your TT's GVWR of 7,500lbs...., but confirm your actual TT axle(s) and tire weight ratings. Loaded tongue weight is supported by the TV. The axles are both 3500 lbs and the tires are D rated (2040 lbs each). Is this the number we should be focused on instead of the 7,700 lbs?

Loaded tongue weight is a "little" on the heavy side (17%), possibly due to the location of the "full" fresh water tank. I would consider dropping some TT gross weight that would result in a 13% to 15% loaded tongue weight range. 15% would get me to 1155 lbs and 13% would get me to 1000 lbs. These numbers were more in line with my WDH (see below). If the 7700 lb TT weight isn't something to stress too much about, is it fair to say that I can move some of my heavier items from the front of the TT to somewhere behind the axles to drop my tongue and that would be okay?

Your WDH adjustment returned all but 60lbs back to the TV's front axle, which is just fine (a better condition than returning too much weight).

Confirm TV's GVWR against TV loaded weight of 9,620lbs. Also, keep in mind any added weight not account for at the CAT scale.TV GVWR is 10,000 lbs, but we were also missing 2 of my girls in the cab with us so that would add another 200 lbs or so. I believe it is true that this should balance out after a drop a couple of hundred pounds off of the tongue.

Confirm TV's rear GAWR against TV loaded axle weight of 5,000lbs (9,620lbs - 4,620lbs), and TV rear tire weight rating. Rear axle rated for 6200 lbs and tires at 5195 lbs

Confirm WDH spring bar rating will support 1,320lbs. This is something I will definitely need to address...my WDH is only rated up to 1200 lbs.

Confirm TV OEM receiver weight ratings when using WDH (weight distribution). I am not sure how to find this out. It is the factory installed receiver on an HD truck.

Hope this helps...., and check my math This helped a ton, Bob. For some reason I just could not wrap my brain around how to manipulate all the weights to get the numbers I needed.

Bob
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Old 06-16-2019, 09:06 AM   #4
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flintsters,

Please note responses follow in 'black' ........

"The axles are both 3500 lbs and the tires are D rated (2040 lbs each). Is this the number we should be focused on instead of the 7,700 lbs?" Not sure what "number" your referring too.

"15% would get me to 1155 lbs and 13% would get me to 1000 lbs. These numbers were more in line with my WDH (see below). If the 7700 lb TT weight isn't something to stress too much about, is it fair to say that I can move some of my heavier items from the front of the TT to somewhere behind the axles to drop my tongue and that would be okay?" You could (ideally relocate weight over TT axles)..., but watch that relocated weight doesn't impact TT axle/tire weight limits. If your fresh water tank is located in "front" of TT axles, another option would be to tow with a few gallons for in-route needs in lieu of a full tank......, just a thought.

It should be noted that your 7,700lbs exceeds the GVWR of 7,500lbs in a "static" (campsite) condition. Now, in a "static" condition many RV's result in exceeding GVWR due to occupants, filled tanks, etc., but the weight is distributed over the axles and tongue jack (or FW landing gear). I haven't run across any specific RV manufactures owners manual statement on GVWR and "static" weight conditions...., often wondered about this.

"TV GVWR is 10,000 lbs, but we were also missing 2 of my girls in the cab with us so that would add another 200 lbs or so. I believe it is true that this should balance out after a drop a couple of hundred pounds off of the tongue." I would agree...., the CAT scale would be your confirmation.

"I am not sure how to find this out. It is the factory installed receiver on an HD truck." There should be a sticker (or stamped) on the reciever, if not refer to the TV owners manual.

Bob
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2016 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4.10
2018 Jay Flight 24RBS
2002 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4:10 (retired)
2005 Jayco Eagle 278FBS (retired)
1999 Jayco Eagle 246FB (retired)
Reese HP Dual Cam (Strait-Line)
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Old 06-16-2019, 10:02 AM   #5
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Sorry....I was wondering if we should be more focused on the 6,380 lbs while towing or the 7700 lbs when not towing. We still haven't loaded the fridge yet so I'm guessing there'll be at least another 100-150 lbs between that and some other last minute food items. That weight will mostly be right over the TT axles, while the fresh water is in front of the TT axles.

I think I am going to start by taking out some of the rarely used heavy items and take some other heavyish items and move them towards the back. I was purposely keeping the back light and front heavy figuring it's better to have too much tongue weight than too little.

There will be legs of our trip when we'll need a full water tank since we'll be walmart sleeping but on legs when we'll be in a campground we will almost certainly only have 10 gallons or so (unless it's super windy).
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Old 06-16-2019, 01:23 PM   #6
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flintsters,

Sounds like you have handle on what to do in addressing you're TV/TT weights. Great move on visiting the CAT scale, especially knowing that you tow on the heavy side.

I also tend to load on the heavy side with my TV/TT combo (similar to yours), due in part that my camping trips are frequently range in 3 weeks to 5 months. Plus my TT MODS have added a few pounds as well

My Jay Flight 24RBS has a 7,500lb GVWR with a loaded tongue weight of 1,100lbs @ 7,200lb gross weight......, TV is a 2016 2500HD (gasser). My WDH spring bar rating is 1,500lbs.

I seldom tow with full fresh in "both" water tanks (80 gallons = 670lbs), but when I do I only fill about 40 gallons (335lbs) which adds about 75lbs to my tongue weight (tanks in front of axles).

Bob

ps: If you get a chance, feel free to post your "Loaded Tongue Weight" data at the following JOF thread:

https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f...t-57188-7.html
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2016 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4.10
2018 Jay Flight 24RBS
2002 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4:10 (retired)
2005 Jayco Eagle 278FBS (retired)
1999 Jayco Eagle 246FB (retired)
Reese HP Dual Cam (Strait-Line)
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