Tow vehicle question

[schrederman]

Don't forget the weight of the WD hitch. Mine weighs about 75#.

[cekkk]

This question arises all the time. If you do a search, I would imagine you would find folks agonizing over this same question time and time again. I would say run all the numbers and then see if you have a 10% safety margin. My guess is the answer will be no.

[Ottawasteve]

Originally Posted by ttavasc

Unless I'm missing something here I'm not sure how the weight of the hitch itself gets included in the estimated tongue weight figure as that is based on "loaded trailer weight" only. The hitch is carried by the TV so it counts against payload but wouldn't be part of the "loaded trailer weight" value used to estimate tongue weight.

With most WD hitches, the head unit (50 lbs maybe) will be in the TV receiver prior to hitching up. WD bars are not installed until hitched and weight of the hitch and WD bars are distributed to the TV and TT. The recommended weights are 12 to 15% of the actual TT weight including the hitch and not 12 to 15% of trailer weight plus weight of the hitch. With Propride and Hensley Arrow hitches the entire WD hitch, except for the 40 lb stinger, is mounted on the TT hitch. In both cases the hitch weight will be carried by both the TT and TV once the WD has been engaged. When you weigh you TT at the scales, it will be clearer. There is nothing to prevent you from running 20% or 25% of your TT tongue weight plus the weight of your hitch, if you hitch and axle weights allow for it, but it is simply unnecessary.

[Truckerjt]

I have ran the numbers over and over again.. think I am going to go with a bit lighter trailer... one around the 6000-6500 loaded weight

[cekkk]

Three cheers!