Maintenance & Restoration

Roger C H · 11-01-2010, 10:48 PM

We weighed our 2009 Trillium 1300 at a scale at a nearby coal company. The lady was going to charge $5, but when I told her that I didn't need a certified copy, I just wanted to measure for my own information, she said, "Well, I'll turn on the outside display and you can measure what you want. No charge."

I wish I had written the information down, but the trailer with the tongue on the scale only attached to the TV by the safety chains yielded 1750#. We didn't have a lot of stuff on board, so I hope when I am packed for the road, it is below the 2000# capacity of our Subaru Outback.

Borden · 11-03-2010, 09:47 AM

When tested will have propane tanks full and water full with gear just to get the real weight. The Dry weight is just not the full deal thanks for the info.
Borden

**Frederick L. Simson** · 02-13-2011, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roger C H

No Trilliums weighed?

I found additional paperwork from the 2010 Lake Casitas weigh-in, plus kept some from the just completed Quartzsite trip...

I added 10 trailers to the list in post #1. Including 2 Trillium!

Robin G · 02-14-2011, 10:27 AM

Thanks Frederick for the update. I use this post a lot to link newbies looking to stay within their tow capacity.

I only wished it could be come a sticky! Not the whole post, but certainly your weight in results.

**Matt in SV** · 02-16-2011, 04:27 PM

This is valuable information! I had a couple of observations.

1. It looks like several of the trailers are light on the tongue, some significantly (see attachment)

Are there different rules for fifth wheel hitch weight ratios?

2. I wasn't able to confirm whether the Escapes were the Travel Trailer (19) or Fifth Wheel (5.0) configuration. Only one had a designation.

3. I think it would be great to capture the manufactured year as weights have tended to increase over a production lifecycle.

Regards,

Matt

Radar1 · 02-16-2011, 06:41 PM

Matt,
Only about half of those listed are considered light on the tongue for a Subaru. My Subaru manual states 8% - 11% tongue weight.
They would all be light based on my Dodge pickup recommendation of 10% - 15%.
Sure seems ironic that my Scamp properly set up to be towed by my relatively light weight Subaru could be considered "too light on the tongue" when towed by my beefier Dodge pickup!

**Frederick L. Simson** · 02-17-2011, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt in SV

I had a couple of observations.

2. I wasn't able to confirm whether the Escapes were the Travel Trailer (19) or Fifth Wheel (5.0) configuration. Only one had a designation.

3. I think it would be great to capture the manufactured year as weights have tended to increase over a production lifecycle.

#2. Scamp doesn't designate their "goose-neck" 19 foot trailer as a "5th wheel". Their official designation is the Scamp 19.

Escape designates their 5th wheel so and calls it a "5.0" while their conventional hitch is known as the Escape 19.
So in my chart, the conventional Escape 19 is the TT (for Travel Trailer).

BTW, since Fiber Stream made only one model, the data I have called it either just "Fiber Stream" or "Fiber Stream 16".

#3. I'll have to look to see if I kept the papers from the weigh-ins; they list the year.

Carol H · 02-17-2011, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Haggerty

Matt,
Only about half of those listed are considered light on the tongue for a Subaru. My Subaru manual states 8% - 11% tongue weight.

Matt I have to agree with John on this one. Have a hunch the Scamp you show on your list at just under 10% on the tongue may be mine and its being pulled by a Subaru. So it is not light on the tongue - actually well within Subaru's specs. I have hauled that trailer thousands of miles with the Subaru and have not had any wag issues - including in serious wind and snow storms.

Just a quess on my part but the lower % tongue weight requirement by Subaru *may* be due to the All Wheel drive set up and the fact the Subaru is lower to the ground than many other SUV's or pick ups which results in different traction and airodynamics.

Mike Morrison · 02-23-2011, 12:16 PM

Frederick, this is great information. We haven't had an opportunity to have our 19' Escape weighed yet and I was a bit surprised to see 3 of the 4 you weighed to be in the 3800# - 3900# range. Out of curiosity, I checked the decal on ours today and found out the GVWR of our trailer is 1818 kg (approx.4008#). It's going to make me more diligent in how we load our trailer, have ours weighed once we get it mobilized for the season and pay attention to what the weights are. Thanks!

**Matt in SV** · 02-23-2011, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Morrison

Frederick, this is great information. We haven't had an opportunity to have our 19' Escape weighed yet and I was a bit surprised to see 3 of the 4 you weighed to be in the 3800# - 3900# range. Out of curiosity, I checked the decal on ours today and found out the GVWR of our trailer is 1818 kg (approx.4008#). It's going to make me more diligent in how we load our trailer, have ours weighed once we get it mobilized for the season and pay attention to what the weights are. Thanks!

Could they have been Escape fifth wheels? The trailer model isn't listed and both the 5.0 and 19 models are the same length, 19.5 feet. The 5th wheel's heavier.

Regards,

Matt

Alf S. · 02-24-2011, 12:51 AM

Hi: Frederick L. Simson... This may be a redundant question...BUT!!! The Mfg's tag on our 5.0's axle quotes 3500#s max. cap. not including wheels and tires. Is the hitch weight over and above the axle weight???
I've lost 33 lbs so far... so, using budget reduction formula, it'll really help our GCVWR
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie

Francesca Knowles · 02-24-2011, 08:49 PM

Though it takes two trips, you can get your rigs weighed at any landfill that charges by weight.
One trip, tow vehicle only; one trip, vehicle and trailer: Go home and do the math.
Accurate and free!

Borden · 02-25-2011, 10:43 AM

WD hitch and tongue weight for regular hitch goes on to the tow vehicle weight not trailer in Canada you say

Know of no law stating a minimum weight or % for tongue weight on MTO or any other government sight.
It seems to be what ever pulls ok? is ok; still above statement helps the trailer at the scales.
In the end it is the ride that maters most as we have to be safe.

WtMtJim · 02-25-2011, 11:02 AM

I've had Frederick weigh my rig two times, now. He is fast, efficient and non-intrusive. It is a great service for us in the fiberglass egg community, and the price is right! I, for one, appreciate his dedication to helping us stay safe and "balanced" - pun intended! I know I made some cargo storage changes based on his numbers. Thanks, Frederick!