B&N
Seasonal RV’er
2021 272VRK
Posts: 229
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Post by B&N on Apr 4, 2021 18:31:53 GMT -5
First, when we first got our 2021 STT272VRK we loaded the TT up and went to the CAT Scale. The TT weighed 6800 (3360 front and 3440 back). The unloaded weight from the TT specifications is 7290. We're happy the TT weighed in loaded at 6800 loaded. Is this typical for the TT to be lower than expected? We were thinking we would be like 7800 and a bit too much for our truck.
Second, with the TT attached the truck weighed 6420. We went home took TT off and went back to weigh the truck coming in at 5420. So just want to confirm we're looking at this right. We're assuming the tongue weight in 1000. Right?
Third, on the TT, we had 3360 front and 3440 back... which I believe is good but I believe we need to move a little weight forward. Right?
Just wanted to run it by this group as you are all good folk to learn from. We have an F150 with conventional tow of 9265 and payload of 2200. As we look to the future, we're considering a F250 but going to wait until Bruce retires and decide what we'll do at that point. Thanks
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Post by thewolfgang on Apr 4, 2021 20:32:26 GMT -5
I believe the tongue weight should usually be around 10% of the trailer weight. So in your above example, with 3360 front and 3440 back, plus the 1000 tongue weight, you'd come in at 7800 lbs. For my previous trailer, I did the following to weigh it all:
1. Unhook TT from truck, and measure total weight
2. Hook it back up, pull a little forward, unhook from truck, this time resting the tongue jack outside of the scale.
3. Hook it back up, pull a little forward to only weigh the back axel.
4. Do the math.
You may also want to do something similar with your weight distribution. Perhaps not with the scale, but at least with measuring front and rear drop of the truck, making sure that your front end is not going up.
Personally, while the F150 may be rated appropriately for the TT, I feel it is pushing its limits, especially up hills, as well as breaking. I believe the the 250s have more heavy duty breaks as well. My previous tow vehicle was an older F150, I think it was rated at 9500 lbs tow weight, towing a TT that was (fully loaded) rated at 9100 lbs (We never carried water). I eventually upgraded to a RAM 2500 gas engine, and towing has definitely improved.
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B&N
Seasonal RV’er
2021 272VRK
Posts: 229
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Post by B&N on Apr 4, 2021 21:34:50 GMT -5
So on the CAT scale we were using (and maybe they all this way),the scale had 3 sections so each axle is weighed and gives you the total.
Front scale we had the truck on weighing in at 6420, center was the front axle of trailer weighing in at 3360, and back scale for back axle of trailer weighing in at 3440 for a total of the 3 sections as 13220. The second time we went back with truck alone and it weighed 5420. So I see what you're saying but if the CAT scale has 3 sections is it the same approach to arrive at tonque? Guess I'm going to go google and youtube to learn more.
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Post by navylcdr on Apr 5, 2021 4:43:39 GMT -5
CAT Scale three sections are normally for front axle of vehicle (steer axle), rear axle of vehicle (drive axle), and then all trailer axles. But whatever axles you can get onto the scale pad is going to be what you get the weight for. However, with your weights, it appears total trailer weight is 7,800 with approximate tongue weight of 1,000. If you really, really want to get the full picture, you need to weigh three times with the standard configuration of front vehicle axle on one pad, rear vehicle axle on one pad, and trailer axles on third pad. Then:
1. Weigh TV with trailer connected. DO NOT connect any weight distribution bars. You will get steer axle, drive axle, trailer axles weight. Add them all up for your total GCVW - Gross Combined Vehicle Weight. You can also check your TV GFAW - Gross Front Axle Weight and GRAW - Gross Rear Axle Weight to make sure you are not overloaded on the TV axles. You also get the GVW - Gross Vehicle Weight by adding steer and drive axle. Take the trailer axles weight divided by two to roughly determine if either trailer axle is overloaded.
2. Weigh TV alone, you will get steer axle and drive axle weights. Subtract these numbers from the same numbers in step 1 and you get tongue weight of the trailer.
3. Weigh TV with trailer connected with weight distribution set up in your normal towing configuration. Compare these numbers to step 1 and you can see the weight shifting affect of the Weight Distribution hitch.
If you are really, really concerned about individual trailer axle weight, you can weigh the way that you did and split the trailer axles between two scale pads.
Also note that vehicle trailer tow ratings include the payload capacity of the vehicle. My Dodge Durango has trailer weight limit of 5900 lbs and payload limit of 1490. So, if I do steps 1 and 2 above and I get a trailer axle weight at 5500 lbs and a tongue weight of 1000 lbs, with 2 people at 200 lbs each, then you would think I would be within limits. But I am not, I am over GCVWR - Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating which is 11,000 lbs. That's because the "trailer weight limit" INCLUDES the 1490 lbs cargo capacity! Base vehicle weight for my Durango is 4960. GCVWR (11000) - Base Weight (4960) - Dodge includes 1 occupant at (150) = 5890. That's where they get trailer rating.
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B&N
Seasonal RV’er
2021 272VRK
Posts: 229
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Post by B&N on Apr 5, 2021 6:27:03 GMT -5
Cool... thanks. The 3 section CAT scale had me a bit confused. We'll do the re-weigh. Well, I guess we'll be looking for a new truck over the next year. We have 3 short haul trips planned for the rest of this year. But will be camping more in a couple of years. Glad we got the camper earlier as it's allowing us to work through all we need to. Again Thank You
Question Tongue Weight: I hear tongue weight is typically 10% of rig. So that would be about 800 but we're at 1000. Is there something we should be looking at since we seem to be high side by 200 pounds.
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Post by thewolfgang on Apr 5, 2021 7:22:24 GMT -5
Regarding Tongue Weight... I'm guessing your water tanks are closer to the back, which when filled, would distribute some of the weight more towards the back.
I would really recommend loading your camper like you'd be going on a trip, including food and water, and checking then. When doing so, you may also want to consider loading heavier things closer towards the back. I'm also guessing that the gas tanks and battery are not part of the manufacturer's dry weight. Each gas tank is about 37lbs (for a 20lb tank), and the battery may be another 70-80 lbs. That's somewhere around 150 lbs total, added to the front of the trailer.
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Post by WrkrBee on Apr 5, 2021 7:27:16 GMT -5
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Post by fotohouse65 on Apr 5, 2021 7:46:46 GMT -5
Regarding Tongue Weight... I'm guessing your water tanks are closer to the back, which when filled, would distribute some of the weight more towards the back. I would really recommend loading your camper like you'd be going on a trip, including food and water, and checking then. When doing so, you may also want to consider loading heavier things closer towards the back. I'm also guessing that the gas tanks and battery are not part of the manufacturer's dry weight. Each gas tank is about 37lbs (for a 20lb tank), and the battery may be another 70-80 lbs. That's somewhere around 150 lbs total, added to the front of the trailer. From everything I could research on our last trailer the propane and battery were calculated in on "dry weight" as it is weight you can not dump. You can always dump you water and fill up when you get closer to your destination. Also on our last trailer the fresh water was located right above the axels with the black and grey behind them. On our SportTrek the fresh water is very far forward due to the placement of the slides I believe. Based on bathroom and dump valve it also looks like all three tanks are located forward of the axels. I am going to have to pay close attention to placement of the load to balance for the tanks when dry camping. |
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Post by navylcdr on Apr 5, 2021 23:38:10 GMT -5
From everything I could research on our last trailer the propane and battery were calculated in on "dry weight" as it is weight you can not dump. You can always dump you water and fill up when you get closer to your destination. Also on our last trailer the fresh water was located right above the axels with the black and grey behind them. On our SportTrek the fresh water is very far forward due to the placement of the slides I believe. Based on bathroom and dump valve it also looks like all three tanks are located forward of the axels. I am going to have to pay close attention to placement of the load to balance for the tanks when dry camping. Unfortunately, your research was mistaken. Dry weight ratings specified by the factory do NOT include batteries nor propane. For one thing, batteries are added to the trailer by the dealer, they do not come from the factory. So how would the factory know what weight the batteries are going to be added by the dealer? I have 2 6 volt golf cart batteries on my trailer at 62 lbs each for 124 lbs total. That is not included in the dry weight provided by the factory. |
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Post by navylcdr on Apr 5, 2021 23:46:24 GMT -5
Cool... thanks. The 3 section CAT scale had me a bit confused. We'll do the re-weigh. Well, I guess we'll be looking for a new truck over the next year. We have 3 short haul trips planned for the rest of this year. But will be camping more in a couple of years. Glad we got the camper earlier as it's allowing us to work through all we need to. Again Thank You Question Tongue Weight: I hear tongue weight is typically 10% of rig. So that would be about 800 but we're at 1000. Is there something we should be looking at since we seem to be high side by 200 pounds. Tongue weight should be between 10 to 15 percent of gross trailer weight. If you are at 7800 lbs trailer weight, the tongue weight should be no less then 780 lbs up to 1170 lbs. |
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Post by thewolfgang on Sept 1, 2021 14:32:09 GMT -5
One more comment regarding weighing (a bit late): When you have a weight distribution hitch, some of the tongue weight is transferred to the front tires, but also, some of the weight is transferred back to the trailer axels, I believe.
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dlakeman
Weekender RV’er
Please delete my account. I have sold my Stratus.
Posts: 75
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Post by dlakeman on Sept 1, 2021 14:50:48 GMT -5
I attached this spreadsheet previously. Use it to get a basic weight idea, then go to a CAT Scale. The spreadsheet is for my Stratus and F-150. Change the numbers to fit your TV and trailer. Stratus SR231VRB Towing Checklist Calculator.xlsx (82.5 KB) |
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Post by earlelaine on Jun 7, 2022 10:29:59 GMT -5
Don't forget to weigh yourself and all passengers.
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B&N
Seasonal RV’er
2021 272VRK
Posts: 229
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Post by B&N on Jun 25, 2022 5:55:54 GMT -5
Don't forget to weigh yourself and all passengers. Yes and if you added a bed liner and cover add that in too. Along with all cargo or items added in back seat like our pups. |
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Post by earlelaine on Jun 27, 2022 7:06:44 GMT -5
I notice when you look at the brochure specs the factory list the weight and that weight is actually a strip down base unit. If you add a 2nd A/C, 2nd battery, off road tires, optional refrigerator etc every little item adds weight. The factory usually places a weight sticker on the door not the yellow specs but one that only shows the weight when it left the factory with all of its options, not counting the weight you add after your purchase. I told the wife I will just have to buy light beer : )
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