Last trip of the season. Went to Susquehanna State Park in Maryland.

 

The weather in the Mid-Atlantic has been great, we are hopeful that it continues as we have two more trips planned in Nov.
I was talking with an Airstream owner at the campground this past weekend about his Hensley Arrow, they are very popular with the Streamers, and I see that you use one also. Great hitches!

 

Traveling from North Carolina to Iowa. Stopped halfway to rest. Truck is doing great all but when I needed to step on the pedal to get past a semi that would not let me get over then I blew the boot off the intercooler was an easy fix.

 

This is my Ex and '14 Jayco Eagle premier 338RETS, the following weights were taken without the kayaks and roof racks, no water (all tanks empty) and just my Wife and I and our two dogs (115lbs and 65lbs) onboard and 3/4 tank of gas. We were heading home from a 3 day weekend, so not much food, supplies or clothing weight like on a longer trip.
Jayco claims a Dry TW of 1,140lbs for this 3 slide TT that measures 40' 9" from the front of my Hensley Arrow hitch to the rear bumper.
There are 3 exterior storage compartments, front pass through at the very front (plastic tubs with 1. Electrical cords and adapters. 2. Fresh water hoses, filter and manifold. 3. Short sewer hose extension, sewer adapters, grey flush hoses, sewer hose support accordion. 4. Misc odds and ends, about 10lbs. Also in this compartment is an assortment of tools, jack crank handles, HA tools, an axe, mallet and hatchet and a couple of fire pit tools.
Under bed storage with access on the outside and by lifting the bed inside. Very near the front also in the forward slide out. 6 camp chairs, folding table, fishing rods and small tackle box, games (corn hole, ladder ball, etc..) a mesh sun shade that attaches to the awning and some odds and ends.
Shallow compartment behind refrigerator, located above the axles. Assortment of small supplies for the TT and hitch, extension cords, rope lights and a variety of other small campsite do-dads.


EX only (2 people & 2 dogs, 3 tool bags with 3/4 tank of gas)
Steer axle: 4000lbs
Drive axle: 4080lbs
Total: 8080lbs


EX & TT W/O WD engaged (Ex load unchanged)
Steer axle: 3020lbs
Drive axle: 6920lbs
TT axles: 9500lbs
Total: 19440lbs


EX & TT with WD engaged (Ex load unchanged)
Steer axle: 3560lbs
Drive axle: 6220lbs
TT axles: 9640lbs
Total: 19420lbs (The 20lb difference between weigh-ins is typical and within scale calibration +/-)


So as we can see from the W/O WD weights there is a 2840lb gain on the drive axle and a 980lb loss on the steer axle. Subtracting the front loss from the rear gain shows a Tongue Weight of 1860lbs, just a little higher (+720lbs) than the factory's claimed Dry TW.


I do have the 1400lb spring bars on my HA hitch, they are the heaviest bars for that hitch, but I have the jack bottom inserts mounted with one hole showing. I think I can get a little more weight distribution if I move the bottom inserts up that one hole to allow for more spring bar flex when cranked up. I do run the bars all the way up in the current configuration.
We are planning to visit the same campground again in Nov, it's only a mile from the scales, so I will make that adjustment and try to get a new set of scale tickets. With the current setup I have 2"/3" of rear squat on my modded B codes and the combo rides and handles very well, there is no light or floating feeling on the steer axle even with the 440lb loss.
The EX's factory hitch has been changed out to the heavy duty TorkLift SuperHitch 20K hitch which is rated for 2000lb TW.

 

Wowsa Tom. I'm sure glad you switched receivers. Now you need to try to figure out what you can move to the back to help with the tongue weight. Not sure how much air you are running in your rear tires, but you might need some more.

 

I would guess he is running 80psi!

 

I am scared to weigh mine.....

 

Have been running the rears at 65 PSI since they were mounted 4 years ago, they are 305/70R18s (35" X 12.8") Load Range E and are rated at 3750lbs at that max pressure. The tires, wheels, springs and axle are all good for the weight being carried.
Funny side note, my Metro's dry curb weight is 1680lbs.

 

Will the Metro fit in the back if you take out the 3rd seat?

 

No, too wide. But apparently I could carry it on a cargo rack weight wise, but it's too long at 10' for that.

 

But is it too tall?

Set it on its rear bumper, nose up!

Stewart

 

Brilliant!
Now I have another new project, the hitch mounted Metro bumper stand!
Less worry about that old spare tire, I'll have a spare car.

 

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