I am really loving this trailer but a bit concerned about the tongue weight once we get everything in. Am I correct that the tongue weight would be included in the payload (which is 1680) and payload is made up of the extras we have on the truck (mostly the drop in bed liner) and then I guess our family weight minus 150 lbs correct?
If I am correct, then I take 1680 - 100 (for various addons)-370 (family weight) - 1010 hitch weight. This would leave me with only 200 lbs of additional cargo which is cutting it close. Or am I way off in how this works? PS _ I would be adding a weight distribution hitch if that makes a difference and tongue weight does include the 2 propane tanks.
Yea, that is cutting it close. If you put all Cargo in the trailer you should be fine, as long as you don't exceed your towing limits. It is my understanding that manufacture weight ratings are often off quite a bit. The only way to really know if your good is load up and take it to the scales.
What is your tow vehicle? You will most likely want to invest in some sort of helper springs or air bags and you will definetly want a good weight distributing hitch with that much weight on the hitch.
__________________ 2007 Tacoma DC 4x4 V6 TRD Off-Road
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Search WDH (weight disribution hitch). Read all about the effects of heavy tongue weight, like how it will lighten up the front wheels to the point of seriously reducing steering and braking ability. W/D Hitch spring bars, big enough ones, are the only solution, they work! Add good sway prevention and a quality brake controller and fully inflate the tires; it all works together like it was meant to be, and the security: Priceless.
Oh if you've any thoughts of upgrades for the truck itself, generally any improvements in how it goes, stops, and steers will make towing better.
I am planning to add the equalizer weight distribuition hitch and already have the Prodigy brake controller. Other than that, there are no other upgrades planned. Assuming that and the comment above, I am guessing this still puts me too close to specs to try and pull safely
Taking into account that the WDH does what it says, it distributes the weight. Example; a tongue weight of 900 pounds, 300 of it is transferred back to the trailer axle(s) and 300 is distributed forward to the truck's front axle. So the tongue weight remaining to push down on the back of the truck is reduced down to 300 pounds after the spring bars are tightened. The primary benefit of course is a properly and safely balanced tow combination. A nice secondary bonus is that the 300 pounds now carried by the trailer frees up that same amount of payload reserve in the truck. Since mine is an '03 and my trailer is around 5500, some of the extra capacity is used for handling a Hensley, zero sway. A wonderful piece of equipment though it's not light. However, it sends about 1/3 of its own weight back to the trailer too, it's worthwhile. These issues matter a lot on mountain roads, I needed all the bases covered. The Hensley on the trailer and the Hellwig on the truck were each a good bit of work and a couple of late nights. But they are, in their calm quiet way, worth more than all the other engine, drivetrain and suspension mods combined.
1000 lbs of hitch weight is a lot for any half ton truck. Overall, weight wise, you are fine.
Take a look at the B pillar on the driver's side (the one at the back of the driver's side door). There should be a placard on there with a lot of tire and weight info. One of them should say "total weight of cargo and passengers should not exceed" or words to that effect. That is the cargo capacity of your truck when it was driven off the plant floor. I would use that number to calculate the same approach you used in your first post. If there is still some room to spare, then I think you at least have a shot at pulling this trailer.
I think after you use the real cargo capacity, you will find you have none left after you subtract your family and hitch weight. That's ok unless you're like me and carry a lot of cargo while towing. That's why I bought a truck to pull my camper, so I could take a lot of stuff. Not as much fun without the toys.
That being said, there are so many trailers out there with much lighter hitch weights that you should be able to find one that meets your needs. Heck, I'm looking at 30 footer now that weigh less than my current 23 ft trailer. I would look around.
Thanks. this makes sense. I have posted some questions on RV.net and it just seems most of the answers are get a 3/4 or 1 ton truck and really trying to understand the math behind this stuff. I never understood why Toyota considered this a revolution but the mindset from most are all based on 1/2, 3/4 and 1 ton trucks and not on specifications.
Worried about hitch weight
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