Tongue weight question
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Tongue weight question
My F250 came with a class 5 hitch. It says 1500lb tongue weight cap. Come to find out my travel trailer has a 1450lb tongue weight dry. I am guessing I have up to 1000lbs of stuff and if my tanks are full (driving to dump station) then I am calculating near 2000lb tongue weight? How bad is this? Do I need to upgrade immediately? I have yo go dump once a week. I am full time boondocking at the moment.
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 906
Likes: 107
From: Seattle area
Time to get one of these:
water tanks can cause a huge difference in tongue weight based on where they are compared to the axles. I’d measure the tongue weight loaded so you aren’t guessing (and then second guessing yourself).
A little over will probably be just fine (mechanically), though margin of safety is reduced and the weight police will cry foul.
water tanks can cause a huge difference in tongue weight based on where they are compared to the axles. I’d measure the tongue weight loaded so you aren’t guessing (and then second guessing yourself).
A little over will probably be just fine (mechanically), though margin of safety is reduced and the weight police will cry foul.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 4,392
Likes: 22
From: very South Texas
do not go by stated numbers....
go get your truck and trailer Scaled... Cat scale is Real good...
KNOW your numbers for REAL...
weight both.. then unhook in back of there yard... weight truck.... both done in 24 hours is $ 10.50...
my trailer is heavier then printed numbers by 800 pounds completely empty... Coachman.
ToyHauler is built a little different then a standard trailer
they are more NOSE HEAVY when a toy is missing in the back...
so a toy in the rear.. removes some weight OFF the nose.
again..... get your rig scaled.. KNOW.. not Guess.
go get your truck and trailer Scaled... Cat scale is Real good...
KNOW your numbers for REAL...
weight both.. then unhook in back of there yard... weight truck.... both done in 24 hours is $ 10.50...
my trailer is heavier then printed numbers by 800 pounds completely empty... Coachman.
ToyHauler is built a little different then a standard trailer
they are more NOSE HEAVY when a toy is missing in the back...
so a toy in the rear.. removes some weight OFF the nose.
again..... get your rig scaled.. KNOW.. not Guess.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,695
Likes: 12,821
From: Wyoming
What Chuck said. My toy hauler will have a tongue weight of 1,400 lbs without the ATV in the back, but only 940 lbs with the ATV. That's without any water. My fresh water tank is mostly over the axles so it won't make a huge difference. But the black/gray tanks are in front of the axle so when they're full it will increase the tongue weight.
My F-350 hitch is also a Class V I believe, but it has a max of 2,000 lbs I think.
My F-350 hitch is also a Class V I believe, but it has a max of 2,000 lbs I think.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,147
Likes: 309
My F250 came with a class 5 hitch. It says 1500lb tongue weight cap. Come to find out my travel trailer has a 1450lb tongue weight dry. I am guessing I have up to 1000lbs of stuff and if my tanks are full (driving to dump station) then I am calculating near 2000lb tongue weight? How bad is this? Do I need to upgrade immediately? I have yo go dump once a week. I am full time boondocking at the moment.
Correct me if I am wrong, but you are using a WDH, right? You can figure out how much downforce there is on the hitch by a series of measures and calculations at a scale with and without your WDH on. My guess is, that your real problem is payload if you have a 250 diesel. if you have a gas, you might be okay, but with those numbers on a 250, if it's a diesel, your probably overloaded.
Trending Topics
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1,756
Likes: 383
From: Oregon
My F250 came with a class 5 hitch. It says 1500lb tongue weight cap. Come to find out my travel trailer has a 1450lb tongue weight dry. I am guessing I have up to 1000lbs of stuff and if my tanks are full (driving to dump station) then I am calculating near 2000lb tongue weight? How bad is this? Do I need to upgrade immediately? I have yo go dump once a week. I am full time boondocking at the moment.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Correct me if I am wrong, but you are using a WDH, right? You can figure out how much downforce there is on the hitch by a series of measures and calculations at a scale with and without your WDH on. My guess is, that your real problem is payload if you have a 250 diesel. if you have a gas, you might be okay, but with those numbers on a 250, if it's a diesel, your probably overloaded.
Copied from Fords 2017 Brochure:
F-250/F-350 Super Duty SRW 15,000 1,500 15,000(2) 1,500(2)
F-250/F-350 Super Duty SRW w/6.7L engine 18,000 1,800 18,000(3)(4) 1,800(3)(4)
F-350 Super Duty DRW w/6.2L engine 16,700 1,670 16,700(3) 1,670(3)
F-350 Super Duty DRW w/6.7L engine and F-450 Super Duty 21,000 2,100 21,000(3) 2,100(3)
(1) Hitch receivers do not include a hitch ball or ball mounting. You are responsible for obtaining the proper hitch ball, ball mounting, weight-distributing equipment (i.e., equalizing
arms and snap-up brackets, sway control system) and other appropriate equipment to tow both the trailer and its cargo load. (2) Not available with 6.7L diesel with 176" wheelbase.
(3) 3.0" receiver. If the provided 3.0" to 2.0" adapter is used, this reduces the Max. Trailer Capacity to 15,000 lbs. and the Max. Tongue Load to 1,500 lbs. (4) Available only with 176"
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 12,051
Likes: 1,549
From: Media PA
Yeah, some of the newer larger TTs are getting up there, our '14 Jayco Eagle 338RETS packed for a long weekend and no water at all in any of the 4 tanks (2 grey tank due to washer/dryer prep) has a CAT scale verified tongue weight of 1840lbs. It's a big 3 slide trailer that is 41' long from front hitch to rear hitch, we use a Hensley Arrow with 1400lb bars (the largest the HA can hold) and have upgraded to the Torklift SuperHitch 20K that has a 2000lb TW rating.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 3,674
Likes: 51
From: SoCal
It's the other way around. Diesel has a higher tongue and tow cap. I am not worried too much about actual tongue weight. It's 1800lbs and I have air bags anyways. I am just worried because the hitch itself is only a 1500 lb Max Capacity.
Copied from Fords 2017 Brochure:
F-250/F-350 Super Duty SRW 15,000 1,500 15,000(2) 1,500(2)
F-250/F-350 Super Duty SRW w/6.7L engine 18,000 1,800 18,000(3)(4) 1,800(3)(4)
F-350 Super Duty DRW w/6.2L engine 16,700 1,670 16,700(3) 1,670(3)
F-350 Super Duty DRW w/6.7L engine and F-450 Super Duty 21,000 2,100 21,000(3) 2,100(3)
(1) Hitch receivers do not include a hitch ball or ball mounting. You are responsible for obtaining the proper hitch ball, ball mounting, weight-distributing equipment (i.e., equalizing
arms and snap-up brackets, sway control system) and other appropriate equipment to tow both the trailer and its cargo load. (2) Not available with 6.7L diesel with 176" wheelbase.
(3) 3.0" receiver. If the provided 3.0" to 2.0" adapter is used, this reduces the Max. Trailer Capacity to 15,000 lbs. and the Max. Tongue Load to 1,500 lbs. (4) Available only with 176"
I have the TorkLift Magnum 30k hitch on my 17, its a beast and I highly recommend it if you are worried about overloading your hitch.
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
My solution... only $238 shipped. MUCH beefier then the stock hitch. Made it feel like tin foil. 😁
I know it doesnt legally change the ratings but I have Firestone helper bags so I am not worried about being slightly over my trucks tongue weight rating.
Tuned
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 376
Likes: 22
From: Ustoned
Griz