Community Forums

BuzzWolfAR · 10-11-2016, 10:03 PM

I just realized that I am exceeding my tongue weight by over 100 pounds. Since I'm using a weight distribution hitch, does that give me any extra tongue weight, or do I need a different towing vehicle.

Please keep the responses simple.

Chowboy · 10-11-2016, 10:19 PM

WD does make a difference. Do you feel problems towing? Is the weight based on being hitched with WD? I would not be concerned if not having concerns on the road. JMO

1bigmess · 10-11-2016, 10:26 PM

Exceeding tongue weight 100 pounds over what? Tow vehicle payload? Hitch and/or receiver rating? GCWR? Marketing materials?

BuzzWolfAR · 10-11-2016, 10:42 PM

100 pounds over the tongue weight spec for the vehicle. It drives fine, but don't want the hitch to fall off the truck.

1bigmess · 10-11-2016, 10:52 PM

Lets's start at the beginning. Where are you getting the "tongue weight spec", off the hitch, the total payload/cargo capacity of the tow vehicle, off the bumper itself, or ???

BuzzWolfAR · 10-12-2016, 08:21 AM

Toyota website for my model truck says 640 pounds.

SmokeyWren · 10-12-2016, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuzzWolfAR

I just realized that I am exceeding my tongue weight by over 100 pounds. Since I'm using a weight distribution hitch, does that give me any extra tongue weight, or do I need a different towing vehicle.

From your other replies, it sounds like you think you may be exceeding the weight limits of your receiver hitch. Hitch weight can cause you to exceed the payload capacity of your tow vehicle, or it can cause you to exceed the tongue weight capacity of your receiver hitch.

Crawl under the tow vehicle and look up to the frame of the receiver. There should be a plaque or embossment or stamp with the weight limits of your receiver. If it's a painted over stamp, then you'll probably need a powerful flashlight to read it. The words on that weight limit area will say something like "500/5000 WC. 1,000/10,000 WD". The first number is max tongue weight, the second number is max gross trailer weight. WC is without a weight-distributing (WD) hitch, and WD is with a WD hitch.

If your wet and loaded tongue weight is more than the max WD tongue weight of the receiver, then that is indeed a bad. But you probably don't need a different tow vehicle. All you need is a heavier-duty receiver. Aftermarket heavier-duty receivers are available for most tow vehicles. For your 2013 Tacoma, the heaviest-duty receiver sold by etrailer.com has Weight Distribution Towing Capacity: 550 lbs WD TW . Probably restricted by the frame of your compact pickup. So if your TT weighs more than about 4,250 pounds, your TW will be more than 550 pounds so you need a heavier duty tow vehicle for that trailer.

Your Jay Feather 23RBM has dry weight of 4755 and wet and loaded max weight of 5,955. So yeah, that's too much trailer for your Tacoma.

TDI-Minnie · 10-13-2016, 01:38 PM

I'm going to guess that the wet weight of your trailer with battery and propane tanks is 200lbs more than what the spec sheet says. I have a 23' trailer.
Also, the WD equipment actually ads weight... usually 40-50lbs. It uses extreme leverage to transfer some of the weight off the back of the truck, but it's not defying physics.

FastEagle · 10-13-2016, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TDI-Minnie

I'm going to guess that the wet weight of your trailer with battery and propane tanks is 200lbs more than what the spec sheet says. I have a 23' trailer.
Also, the WD equipment actually ads weight... usually 40-50lbs. It uses extreme leverage to transfer some of the weight off the back of the truck, but it's not defying physics.

The weight of full propane tanks - if factory equipped - are factored into the trailer's GVW when it leaves the factory.

If propane tanks are installed by a dealer and the full weight of them - including propane - is over 100#, the dealer must deduct that weight from the trailer's cargo information and correct the cargo placard accordingly.

See FMVSS 571.110 or 571.120, whichever applies.

BuzzWolfAR · 10-16-2016, 03:40 AM

Solved the problem. Just bought a F350 diesel. I can put my trailer in the bed of the truck and not be overloaded.

miniceptor86 · 10-16-2016, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuzzWolfAR

Solved the problem. Just bought a F350 diesel. I can put my trailer in the bed of the truck and not be overloaded.

There ya go!

SmokeyWren · 10-16-2016, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuzzWolfAR

Just bought a F350 diesel.

Good for you! Next step is to log onto Diesel Forum - TheDieselStop.com and join all the Ford diesel nuts around the virtual campfire. They have a towing and hauling forum as well as a forum for your year of PowerStroke engine.

TDI-Minnie · 10-17-2016, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuzzWolfAR

Solved the problem. Just bought a F350 diesel. I can put my trailer in the bed of the truck and not be overloaded.

Good call!
For what it's worth, try towing it without the WD bars on. I think you'll be happy with how it works when you have some weight on the rear of the truck.

TDI-Minnie · 10-17-2016, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FastEagle

The weight of full propane tanks - if factory equipped - are factored into the trailer's GVW when it leaves the factory.

If propane tanks are installed by a dealer and the full weight of them - including propane - is over 100#, the dealer must deduct that weight from the trailer's cargo information and correct the cargo placard accordingly.

See FMVSS 571.110 or 571.120, whichever applies.

We were talking about the hitch weight, not GVW and cargo capacity. Also referencing the advertised weights, not the placard.
When we say wet weight, it means loaded with YOUR gear, and some liquid in the tanks, none of which have anything to do with the dealer.

I've never seen a dealer weigh a trailer.