Weight advice

[Ellen S.]

Looking for advice on weight/adjusting load.
Rear wheel drive passenger van pulling 33 foot travel trailer:
Van: 8160 lbs. on scale, unhitched, loaded.
Van: 9100 lbs. on scale, hitched, loaded.
Trailer: 6320 lbs. on scale, hitched, loaded
Combined: 15,420 lbs. on scale.
Van's GCWR = 16,000
Tow capacity = 8700
GVWR = 9450
GAWR Fr. = 3825
GAWR Rr. = 5875
It looks level to us, but we're new to this (photo attached).
Thank you!

[tuffr2]

That looks level to me. Good job.

Does it tow without being squirrely? If so, that is as good as it gets.

[Ellen S.]

It does seem to drive well. So you think our numbers add up okay? We're not too heavy? (think mountains!)

[450Donn]

You do need to get the as loaded ready to travel weights on each axle. Then look at your tire ratings. I suspect if you have P metric tires on the van you might be at or over the tires limits. Also remember your tires might have soft sidewalls which can cause some squirlley handling at s.peeds

[tuffr2]

Your numbers look reasonable with a bit too much weight on the tongue but too much weight on the tongue is a heck of a lot better than not enough weight. If it is towing ok I would not change anything.

Towing up a mountain will not be easy but that is normal. Going down a mountain slow down way ahead of time and toy will need to shift manually I think. It is better to use your engine to slow you down vs using the brakes. A combination of using both is needed going down the mountain (engine and brakes).

Curious - what van is that and what is the 'Occupant and Cargo' capacity?

Is that a Nissan NV2500?

450Donn - the tires are listed as LT from the picture.

[Ellen S.]

It's an NV3500.

[CharlesinGA]

940 lbs tongue weight, less if you didn't weigh the van with the hitch installed in the receiver.

Gross weight of both van and trailer hitched, minus weight of van alone equals weight of trailer.

Weight of trailer minus trailer axle weight equals tongue weight.

Trailer weight total (7260) times 13% (.13) is 943 lbs so you are spot on for optimal tongue weight. Looks level. Did you measure front wheel well to ground before hitching and after hitching and again after hooking up weight bars? The weight bars should restore most of the front end rise you get when you hitch the trailer.

Charles

[Persistent]

All good advice above!
Was the van fully loaded? Weights need to have all passengers, luggage, equipment, anything else to be added.
Was the TT fully loaded ready for Travel? Water, propane, food, folding chairs, etc.
What is the tongue weight allowed by the hitch? It may have it's own limit.

It looks like you are good to go!

[Newventures]

Originally Posted by Ellen S.

Looking for advice on weight/adjusting load.
Rear wheel drive passenger van pulling 33 foot travel trailer:
Van: 8160 lbs. on scale, unhitched, loaded.
Van: 9100 lbs. on scale, hitched, loaded.
Trailer: 6320 lbs. on scale, hitched, loaded
Combined: 15,420 lbs. on scale.
Van's GCWR = 16,000
Tow capacity = 8700
GVWR = 9450
GAWR Fr. = 3825
GAWR Rr. = 5875
It looks level to us, but we're new to this (photo attached).
Thank you!

I'm thinking of doing this same setup but maybe with a smaller trailer. How's it going? Any issues? Highway driving with semi's making you sway at all? Hard to find posts about NV3500's pulling trailers. I have 4 car seats and need the safest build for my family.

THANKS!

[Normal_Dave]

I'm liking the setup, (being a former van tow rig person).

Closer inspection of the pictures reveal an Anderson weight distribution hitch. I'll ditto prior recommendations on front fender before/after height measurements to help determine proper WD hitch setup. Also need separate loaded and hitched axle weights.

Go back through the Anderson paperwork or YouTube to ensure you are getting the most benefit from a quality hitch.

In the mountains, let that 5.6L V8 sing, gear it down according to Nissan recommendations. Don't try to win the race uphill, but be satisfied with steady as she goes.


Very well done.


Enjoy!

[Old-Biscuit]

Looks Level......


You list Vans Gross Axle Ratings
GAWR Fr. = 3825
GAWR Rr. = 5875
But did not list ACTUAL Scaled weights WITH WDH and W?O WDH


How close are you to those Axle Ratings?
How close are you getting back to Front Axle weight using the WDH?