TH....But Not Carrying Heavy Toys.....Problem?

[SoCalAngler]

I like the practicality of a TH, the ability to take different things with you as desires change, built in generator, and the rear ramp door/patio.

I am considering this TH and was wondering if NOT carrying heavy loads in rear will affect TW in a negative way, i.e., to heavy a TW due to little weight in rear from not carrying heavy toys?

2009 Tahoe 284SA
https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/...843158068.html

Specs are as follows:

UVW: 7950#
GVWR: 13000#
CCC: 5050#
Hitch: 1300#

My 2003 Ford Ford F-350 Factory Specs:

Tow: 10,600# (3.73:1 axle ratio - mine)
12,500# (with 4.30:1 - factory option)

Payload: 2980#
Front GAWR: 4250#
Rear GAWR: 6830#
GCVWR: 20,000

Questions:

1. Since I do not plan to carry heavy toys (I'll carry bicycles, chairs, plastic table, EZ up awning, and general camping stuff), what are the effects Positive or negative) of this?

2. What else should be considered regarding weights listed and my tow vehicle (see signature)?

3. Any other things to be considered?

Thanks!

[drittal]

Last year we put ~4,000 miles on in one trip unloaded. Make sure your tow vehicle can handle heavy tongue weight. That 1300 listed is probably without Generator, without batteries, without propane, without anything you put in the cupboards and cabinets... it will add up in a hurry

[RVPioneer]

Originally Posted by drittal

Last year we put ~4,000 miles on in one trip unloaded. Make sure your tow vehicle can handle heavy tongue weight. That 1300 listed is probably without Generator, without batteries, without propane, without anything you put in the cupboards and cabinets... it will add up in a hurry

1300# is 10% of the GVWR. That’s a fully loaded, maxed out trailer.

[drittal]

Originally Posted by RVPioneer

1300# is 10% of the GVWR. That’s a fully loaded, maxed out trailer.

That seems light... mine has a GVWR 13,600 with 1,600 tongue weight empty. It’s more than that in actuality.

[RVPioneer]

Originally Posted by drittal

That seems light... mine has a GVWR 13,600 with 1,600 tongue weight empty. It’s more than that in actuality.

Acceptable weights are 9-15% of the trailer weight.

[Gigattime]

With it being a bumper pull you should be able to adjust the weight distribution hitch to the desired hitch weight when not carrying heavy toys.

We have a fifth wheel and it is heavy on the pin when empty, but since we pull with a dually, it's not an issue.

[keymastr]

The manufacturer is the ONLY one saying 9% is acceptable tongue weight because they do not want to lose a sale due to your truck not being up to it. In reality 12% is a much more realistic minimum tongue weight to prevent sway. Since toy haulers are designed to still have enough tongue weight when loaded with a vehicle in the garage,(behind the axles and taking weight off the tongue), they often have the highest tongue weight when empty.

Looks like you will be pretty marginal on this truck after you add the weight of the hitch itself, (100 pounds), and anything else you carry in the truck, including passengers.