Stromber Tongue Tray

[fisduki]

Since getting our 2019 174BH a month ago, we have been out 2 weekends so far. In that time, I have made a couple of additions to it. I have added as second battery box and plan to replace the current Group 24 Centennial DP24mfs battery with 2 new ones before our Christmas trip. I have also upgraded the propane holder to a double.

The TT is great, but really lacks storage, so I was thinking about adding one of these Stromber Trays to the front to carry another addition I am looking at in the future, a generator.

Question is, have any of you used one of these? My concern is the added weight. Based on the owners manual, my 2015 Mercedes ML350 4matic has a max tongue weight of 500 lb, this tray is 68 lb, Since the specs on the TT says it has a hitch weight of 305 lb, I am wondering is adding more weight to the tongue is really a good idea? So far, the two trips we have gone on was a 50 mile from home easy overnight to test out the TT, and a 250 mile from home over a couple mountain passes(Home is about 600 ft elevation, the highest pass was just over 3000 ft). Also, both the second propane tank and the second battery box (battery not added yet) were added after our two trips.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SQG0K3...olid=32UE2WB48SJ49&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

 

[fisduki]

Also, is there a way to change the logon timeout? While typing this post (and many of my previous replies) I was logged out and had to log back on, then use my browser back button to go back and post what I wrote.

 

[JFlightRisk]

Also, is there a way to change the logon timeout? While typing this post (and many of my previous replies) I was logged out and had to log back on, then use my browser back button to go back and post what I wrote.

Yes, when you log on, there's a small box to check, with "Remember Me" next to it. Check that box every time you sign in, and you won't time out when posting. That should take care of it for you.

 

[Midnightmoon]

The first thing that I would recommend would be for you to visit a CAT scale and determine exactly what your current tongue weight is. Factory listed tongue weight and dry weight specs on RV's are notoriously inaccurate.

 

[fisduki]

The first thing that I would recommend would be for you to visit a CAT scale and determine exactly what your current tongue weight is. Factory listed tongue weight and dry weight specs on RV's are notoriously inaccurate.

I read through the post someone made about going to a CAT scale and how to do three tests, the third was to get the tongue weight, but it said for the 3rd weighing to detach the WDH chains. I don't use one of those, so would I just do 2 weighings?

 

[Marcm157]

I read through the post someone made about going to a CAT scale and how to do three tests, the third was to get the tongue weight, but it said for the 3rd weighing to detach the WDH chains. I don't use one of those, so would I just do 2 weighings?

On the 3rd weigh disconnect your spring bars of you are using an equalizer or other WDH that uses bars without chains.

 

[Midnightmoon]

I read through the post someone made about going to a CAT scale and how to do three tests, the third was to get the tongue weight, but it said for the 3rd weighing to detach the WDH chains. I don't use one of those, so would I just do 2 weighings?

If you are not using a weight distributing hitch at all, you would only need to do 2 times across the scales.

 

[AnacortesArmyGuy]

I echo the member who said to get an accurate tongue weight. My 154BH Baja had a dry tongue weight of 315 lbs, then when the battery was added, the propane tank filled, and the trailer loaded, with most cargo behind the axle and no water in the fresh water tank, the tongue weighed in at 368 lbs. I believe the addition of a second battery and propane tank has probably put your tongue weight well over 400 lbs already, and the addition of the proposed storage rack and a generator will have you over the 500 lb weight limit of your tow vehicle.

 

[ALJO]

If you know all your weights and not over your axle weight. You can counter balance by putting something (for example a lightweight box) on the back of the TT. WD can transfer weight to the TV and some to the TT axle. You can calculate from the centerline of the axle.

 

[Debdon Journeys]

Try Mount-n-lock
https://mount-n-lock.com/


I was looking to use them for my 145RB but got a New Ford Ranger instead

 

[fisduki]

Try Mount-n-lock
https://mount-n-lock.com/


I was looking to use them for my 145RB but got a New Ford Ranger instead

I have been thinking about those options as well, but I read somewhere that the bumper is only designed to hold 100 lbs which includes the spare in our case.

I looked and our 4" square bumper is welded to the frame, so not sure if it is just cheap material or why that limit is so low??

***** UPDATE *****

That didn't take long. Page 38 of the downloaded owners manual for the Jay Flight says the limit is 100 lbs. Guess I will need to look at getting a receiver hitch attached.

Guess it is time to put on the sleuthing hat and find out if the 100 lbs is really the limit for the rear bumper on a 174BH or just on some models??

 

[AnacortesArmyGuy]

You are correct about the weight limitations for our trailers' rear bumper. Products such as the one at the following link can help. https://www.amazon.com/Bumper-Suppo...9Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

 

[Debdon Journeys]

If you have a pickup I just locked and strapped the Generator in the bed I left the ramps at home so I would not take it out and leave it at the campsite. I was never away from our truck that long on our trip to Yellowstone this month. When parked in rest areas we would open the front window protector enough to see out plus I had a third form of theft deterrence

 

[norty1]

The limiting factor is the thin metal that the bumper is made of. The welds will get stress cracks and rip apart from the weight and stress of bouncing down the road.

 

[Debdon Journeys]

Lock and Mount I think offers a replacement aluminum bumper

 

[Flyrotor-JAY]

I don’t think I would be interested in the Stromber tray, looks like a lot of work to access the propane tanks, just my opinion

 

[spaniel]

Also to consider -- weight distribution in a small trailer.

I have a 174BH. We briefly did have a tray on the back bumper...realized mid-trip it was starting to deform the bumper and took it off. But in that brief time I can say the trailer was noticeably less stable due to the extra weight so far back.

I am not also considering the Stromber tray for this reason. Like to carry a couple small Honda 2200i generators plus 5-10gal of fuel. Rather not have the fuel cans in the back of the truck behind the kids.