Ultralight trailer isn’t so light on the tongue

[nicky8668]

Just passed a CAT scale during the Thanksgiving trip and weigh the rig to make sure the trailer axle isn’t overloaded since I flipped the axle and adding bigger wheels, tires, and stiffer springs. And I can also guesstimate the tongue weight. I know it’s more accurate to reweigh the truck alone, but I’m not going to unhook the trailer in a busy truck stop. But you can guesstimate the tongue weight.

My trailer axle weight is 3040 lbs, the trailer sticker says 3250 lbs GAWR. The axle sticker says 3500 lbs. So I’m good on the trailer axle, but quite close (2020 F250 CCSB+2016 Clipper 17BH).

What really surprised me is the tongue weight. Total weight on the truck axles is 8340 lbs. My truck curb weight is 7005 lbs (10000 lbs GVWR-2995 lbs payload). so there are 1335 lbs on the truck with the WDH engaged. That’s already included full tank of fuel and 150 lbs driver. I’m 200 lbs, so it’s 1280 lbs besides me. Excluding wife and a toddler and a small dog, then it’s 1105 lbs. My lineX guy told me the liner is 80 lbs max and my Peragon cover is about 80 lbs, rubber bed mat is about 50 lbs. Then that’s 895 lbs. I have max 100 lbs stuff in the bed and the WDH is 100 lbs max, then the tongue weight with WDH engaged is about 700 lbs. Without WDH, it probably more than 800-900 lbs on the tongue. I only have some essentials in the trailer front storage compartment, like hose, extension cord, etc. This tongue weight is almost twice what the manufacturer says (about 400 lbs).

Many people tow this kind of trailer with mid size SUV or 1/4 ton trucks (500-800 hitch weight limit), including myself a few month ago, but I think many people don’t realize how heavy is the tongue of a single axle trailer.

[twinboat]

Add tension to the WDH bars. It will lessen the tongue weight, shifting it to the front and trailer axles.

[nicky8668]

Originally Posted by twinboat

Add tension to the WDH bars. It will lessen the tongue weight, shifting it to the front and trailer axles.

Yeah it will, but the truck is already leveled with the trailer. Keep adding tension will start to transfer weight from the truck rear end to the trailer axle and truck front axle. I only have 200 lbs on the trailer axle to spare.

[mistercee]

Originally Posted by nicky8668

Just passed a CAT scale during the Thanksgiving trip and weigh the rig to make sure the trailer axle isn’t overloaded since I flipped the axle and adding bigger wheels, tires, and stiffer springs. And I can also guesstimate the tongue weight. I know it’s more accurate to reweigh the truck alone, but I’m not going to unhook the trailer in a busy truck stop. But you can guesstimate the tongue weight.

My trailer axle weight is 3040 lbs, the trailer sticker says 3250 lbs GAWR. The axle sticker says 3500 lbs. So I’m good on the trailer axle, but quite close (2020 F250 CCSB+2016 Clipper 17BH).

What really surprised me is the tongue weight. Total weight on the truck axles is 8340 lbs. My truck curb weight is 7005 lbs (10000 lbs GVWR-2995 lbs payload). so there are 1335 lbs on the truck with the WDH engaged. That’s already included full tank of fuel and 150 lbs driver. I’m 200 lbs, so it’s 1280 lbs besides me. Excluding wife and a toddler and a small dog, then it’s 1105 lbs. My lineX guy told me the liner is 80 lbs max and my Peragon cover is about 80 lbs, rubber bed mat is about 50 lbs. Then that’s 895 lbs. I have max 100 lbs stuff in the bed and the WDH is 100 lbs max, then the tongue weight with WDH engaged is about 700 lbs. Without WDH, it probably more than 800-900 lbs on the tongue. I only have some essentials in the trailer front storage compartment, like hose, extension cord, etc. This tongue weight is almost twice what the manufacturer says (about 400 lbs).

Many people tow this kind of trailer with mid size SUV or 1/4 ton trucks (500-800 hitch weight limit), including myself a few month ago, but I think many people don’t realize how heavy is the tongue of a single axle trailer.

A 150 lb driver is not included in the payload rating. I believe manufacturers include the 150 lb driver when establishing the vehicle's max tow rating, but not the payload.

[nicky8668]

Originally Posted by mistercee

A 150 lb driver is not included in the payload rating. I believe manufacturers include the 150 lb driver when establishing the vehicle's max tow rating, but not the payload.

Good to know. Then that’s 650 lbs on the tongue. Still a lot for an ultralight trailer.

[CharlesinGA]

Without weighing the truck alone, you really have no idea what the tongue weight is, you are simply guessing, you may be close, you could be way off.

Charles