Black Stone Dry Tongue Weight Question

[1010]

I was looking at the new specs of the 280RLSB, the approximate dry tongue weight is listed at 1,250 lbs.

ORVPDMAN, I wondering what has been added to the 2015/16 (?)280RLSB to cause the approximate dry tongue weight increase from the 2014s?

Thanks,
1010

[ORVPDMAN]

Originally Posted by 1010

I was looking at the new specs of the 280RLSB, the approximate dry tongue weight is listed at 1,250 lbs.

ORVPDMAN, I wondering what has been added to the 2015/16 (?)280RLSB to cause the approximate dry tongue weight increase from the 2014s?

Thanks,
1010

Probably the biggest change was moving the spare tire and all of it mounting steel and hardware to the front underneath from where it was located on the rear bumper. We also moved the solar panels to the front. I'm sure there was a few other minor things but those were the most obvious when looking back.

...Also added 4 inches to the tongue length.

[1010]

Originally Posted by ORVPDMAN

Probably the biggest change was moving the spare tire and all of it mounting steel and hardware to the front underneath from where it was located on the rear bumper. We also moved the solar panels to the front. I'm sure there was a few other minor things but those were the most obvious when looking back.

...Also added 4 inches to the tongue length.

The spare tire on the rear bumper was one of the two items I would change on the 280RLSB (the other being a window that opens in the bedroom). Getting the spare off the bumper is a plus, if it was mounted behind the axels that would have prevented adding more weight on an already heavy tongue weight. Our 2014 is close to 1,700 lbs loaded and that is with about 190 lbs on the rear cargo tray.

The 280RLSB is a long heavy trailer but it tows so well, hardly know it is back there. Backing the 280RLSB is amazing, can't tell you how many times other campers get their chairs out (entertainment) to watch me back into a camp site only to be disappointed.

Now that front bedroom window.....

Thank you for your speedy reply

1010

[Lac]

Originally Posted by 1010

The spare tire on the rear bumper was one of the two items I would change on the 280RLSB (the other being a window that opens in the bedroom). Getting the spare off the bumper is a plus, if it was mounted behind the axels that would have prevented adding more weight on an already heavy tongue weight. Our 2014 is close to 1,700 lbs loaded and that is with about 190 lbs on the rear cargo tray.

The 280RLSB is a long heavy trailer but it tows so well, hardly know it is back there. Backing the 280RLSB is amazing, can't tell you how many times other campers get their chairs out (entertainment) to watch me back into a camp site only to be disappointed.

Now that front bedroom window.....

Thank you for your speedy reply

1010

I agree about the front opening window....The opening front window has/was discussed with the ORV folks at the first ORV campout.

I have called the window manufacturing supplier as well as after market window providers and they do not have opening "frameless" replacement windows of that size.
That's not to say there may be "frame" type opening window of that size that are available or have a custom one made. I never researched those options.

Great window comments.

As for the spare tire mount. I had first had experience with the rear mounted spare tire mount. Works great tire is easy on and off.
I had the wrong size socket and besides they weren't deep socket for the trailers nuts and poor cell service.....so couldn't change the tire.
Thank goodness for a friendly log truck driver who had the right stuff.

Word to the wise...Make sure your socket fits your nuts!

Coops

[brulaz]

Originally Posted by 1010

...
Our 2014 is close to 1,700 lbs loaded and that is with about 190 lbs on the rear cargo tray.
...

Wow, and I thought my 1200# TW was heavy.

Think Blue OX makes a 2000# capable WDH, is that that you're using?

[Cumminsfan]

Originally Posted by brulaz

Wow, and I thought my 1200# TW was heavy.

Think Blue OX makes a 2000# capable WDH, is that that you're using?

Is your TW over your F150s receivers max rating? Sure looks like it.

[brulaz]

Originally Posted by Cumminsfan

Is your TW over your F150s receivers max rating? Sure looks like it.

Off topic, I know, but to answer the question:

According to the CAT scale, loaded tongue weights of our trailer have varied from 1220# to 1080# (the latest). My 2011 MaxTow F150's Hitch receiver is rated at 1150# with WDH. Non MaxTow 2011-2014 F150s are rated at 1050#. I believe all 2015-2016 F150 Hitch Receivers are rated at 1220# with WDH.

With Ford Superduties the rating depends upon whether you have the 2" hitch receiver (max 1250#), whether you are using the 2" sleeve in a 2.5" hitch receiver (max 1250#) or not, and the rest of the truck. The max WDH TW rating can be as low as 1250# or as high as 1900#, according to Ford's 2015 Towing Guide.

Getting back to that original 1700# TW, the only Ford truck whose WDH TW receiver rating exceeds 1700# is an F350 Diesel Dually at 1900#.

Dunno about RAM and GMC HD trucks.

[1010]

Originally Posted by Lac

I agree about the front opening window....The opening front window has/was discussed with the ORV folks at the first ORV campout.

I have called the window manufacturing supplier as well as after market window providers and they do not have opening "frameless" replacement windows of that size.
That's not to say there may be "frame" type opening window of that size that are available or have a custom one made. I never researched those options.

Great window comments.

As for the spare tire mount. I had first had experience with the rear mounted spare tire mount. Works great tire is easy on and off.
I had the wrong size socket and besides they weren't deep socket for the trailers nuts and poor cell service.....so couldn't change the tire.
Thank goodness for a friendly log truck driver who had the right stuff.

Word to the wise...Make sure your socket fits your nuts!

Coops

I check the lug nuts before leaving, found out the easy way that the spare tire lug nuts were different.

[1010]

Originally Posted by brulaz

Wow, and I thought my 1200# TW was heavy.

Think Blue OX makes a 2000# capable WDH, is that that you're using?

Getting off topic, TW became a major issue after buying the 280RLSB, many posts on it most on other forums.

I was looking at the Blue OX you talking about but I went with the Reese Dual Cam setup, mostly because I had one on our previous trailer. The receiver is a Reese Titan, 2 1/2 ", 2500 lb TW with weight distribution (this was an overkill). The rest of the setup is rated for 17,000 lbs TW.