Tongue Weight Concern

[Doug in Sacramento]

Houston, I think we may have a problem. I bought a Yamaha 2400 inverter/generator for my Scamp 16. I had a tongue rack built to mount the generator on (see photo). I also hope to get a LowOro Lockdown mount that will securely hold the generator on the rack.

Here's my problem: I checked the tongue weight with the new rack. It was 280 lbs, with a full propane tank and an otherwise mostly empty trailer (no fluids in the holding tanks). The generator weighs 75 lbs (85 with gas) and the mount will probably weigh 20 lbs, more or less. That potentially puts my tongue weight at 385 lbs and my RAV4 is rated for 350 lbs tongue weight. I forgot to discuss weight with the welder who built the rack and, while he did a fantastic job, it weighs 35 lbs.

I have the factory receiver, which is mounted by something like 26 bolts. I also have airbags installed in the rear coil springs. I know that doesn't change the rating but it partially eases my mind.

Should I be greatly concerned? Should I install a weight distribution hitch? Your thoughts and suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks

[Eddie Longest]

Where is your battery? Get a vented box and mount it under the rear drivers side dinette seat near the converter if so equipped.
Eddie

[Joe Romas]

I have the Low-Pro for my Honda eu2000i and it's 20#'s did you add that?

What does your owners manual sayfor your rav?

My Jeep Liberty specified a WDH for 300# and over, my Casita has 400# tongue weight and the WDH did it's job, no air bags needed.

Joe

[Doug in Sacramento]

Eddie,
Doesn't the battery need to be vented to the exterior? I like the idea but I'm not sure how it would work.

Joe,
I did include 20 lbs for the LowPro Lockdown. I'm having a heck of a time ordering one. The company left me a message over a month ago saying I was on a waiting list and it would be a couple days until one was available. I've heard nothing and they don't respond to emails and calls. Their website doesn't have an "add to cart" button for the lockdown for the Yamaha 2400 so it apparently can't be purchased online.

[steve dunham]

My Scamp 16 with front bath had a tongue weight of approx 260
lbs when loaded for travel . The 260 lbs was with only one propane tank and it was full , no water in black , grey or fresh water tanks ,
and one 24F battery mounted on the tongue . The only positive way to tell is load your trailer as normal for travel , and mount the generator in position and weigh the tongue.
You will be close to your limit.

[Cathi]

See what your tongue weight actually becomes first.

Originally Posted by Doug in Sacramento

Houston, I think we may have a problem. I bought a Yamaha 2400 inverter/generator for my Scamp 16. I had a tongue rack built to mount the generator on (see photo). I also hope to get a LowOro Lockdown mount that will securely hold the generator on the rack.

Here's my problem: I checked the tongue weight with the new rack. It was 280 lbs, with a full propane tank and an otherwise mostly empty trailer (no fluids in the holding tanks). The generator weighs 75 lbs (85 with gas) and the mount will probably weigh 20 lbs, more or less. That potentially puts my tongue weight at 385 lbs and my RAV4 is rated for 350 lbs tongue weight. I forgot to discuss weight with the welder who built the rack and, while he did a fantastic job, it weighs 35 lbs.

I have the factory receiver, which is mounted by something like 26 bolts. I also have airbags installed in the rear coil springs. I know that doesn't change the rating but it partially eases my mind.

Should I be greatly concerned? Should I install a weight distribution hitch? Your thoughts and suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks

[redbarron55]

350 lbs on the tongue sounds pretty high for a RAV4.
Perhaps that is the rating for the hitch and not the car?
Is that the V6 rating with towing package?
I know that on my Town and Country the 3500 lb rating is only with a WDH it is 1800 without.

[Glenn Baglo]

Originally Posted by redbarron55

350 lbs on the tongue sounds pretty high for a RAV4.
Perhaps that is the rating for the hitch and not the car?

350 / 3,500 is the tongue / tow rating for the RAV4 V6 with tow package prior to 2013.

[Carlcivi]

Why not just carry it in the Scamp. Place over the wheels on the floor and secure it so it does not tip on you while in tow. I have a smarter tools gen. With the yamaha engine. That is what i think i will do. I also have a Rav4 v6 2012. I have not used the gen on a trip yet , but I think that is what I will do.I will be reading this thread with interest . Carl

[Daniel A.]

I think you should put a weight distribution hitch on to balance the load out and keep it level. I've always used one it keeps the trailer tracking where it should.

As for the battery I spent my working life dealing with Hydrogen and it is not as big an issue as some might think the biggest risk is if the vent tube on the battery itself were plugged. I'd mount the battery in the unit there is more than enough air movement.

[Eddie Longest]

You can search for vented RV battery box. Amazon sells them, also they sell a kit to vent a box. On a lot of the boxes the vent come out of the top, I,m not sure if it will fit under a dinette bench. On my Escape the battery is under the dinette bench. They vented a box on the side of the box, right at the top, then ran the wires through the side and sealed the hole for the wires with butyl tape. Or you could go with a AGM battery.
There was a guy named Deryk who pulled a Parkliner with a RAV4 he used a WDH. He sold his trailer about 18M ago and rarely posts here anymore. FWIW
Eddie

[Doug in Sacramento]

Cathi,
Good advice. I realized that I'm was wrong in my assumption that the full weight of anything added on the tongue would be added to the tongue weight. Simple physics - a portion of the weight will be supported by the axle. I will probably be under the 350 lb limit.

Moving the battery under the bench in back might not be a bad idea but I'd rather not cut a hole in the side of the trailer for the vent and I'm hesitant to add weight behind the axle. We've had sway issues in the past (a bike rack and bikes on the rear was a BAD idea).

I don't think I can add a weight distribution hitch for several reasons. One, Deryk said in a post that the factory hitch on the RAV4 is a Class II and is not compatible with a WDH. I can't find verification of that online or in my owners manual. Also, the hitch is probably too low and set too far forward. And, the tongue rack I've added would interfere with the mounts.

Thanks for all the great input.

[Glenn Baglo]

I had Toyota dealer install Class III Hidden Hitch receiver for use with Pro Series WDH.
Work was done at the dealer, prior to me taking possession. Installer also wired the brake controller and 7-pin.
My tongue weight is 315 - 325 lbs.

[Doug in Sacramento]

I'll think about a WDH. However, with the cost of the generator, rack, and LowPro Lockdown, I'm hesitant to spend more just to have AC on the rare occasions when I need it. Funny how these things snowball. Guess I like gadgets too much.

[Glenn Baglo]

I have no air conditioner. I leave my Honda 1000i generator at home after acquiring two 40-watt portable solar panels. I don't have to carry gas for the solar panels.
I'd love not to have to use the WDH, but the improvement in ride and security is just too great with it. I've towed the trailer a short distance ( couple miles ) without using the WDH, but that's as far as I'm willing to go.

[Doug in Sacramento]

I'm thinking about adding a WDH. However, I have read old threads in which Glenn and Deryk say that the Toyota factory hitch is a Class II hitch and that you cannot use WDH with a Class II hitch.

I've looked everywhere (RAV4 World, Toyota Nation, etc.) to verify this and haven't found anything. Nothing on my vehicle, hitch, or owners manual says anything about the hitch or WDH. I googled hitch classes and Reese says that Class II is for up to 3,000 trailer weight and 300 hitch weight (Https://www.reese-hitches.com/learni...towing-classes). My vehicle is rated at 3,500/350.

So, I'm not convinced that the factory hitch is a Class II. Tan factory hitch looks pretty substantial and is more firmly mounted than after market hitches. Seems like it should be okay with a WDH. I really don't want to change hitches if I don't have to.

[Radar1]

Originally Posted by Doug in Sacramento

I'm thinking about adding a WDH. However, I have read old threads in which Glenn and Deryk say that the Toyota factory hitch is a Class II hitch and that you cannot use WDH with a Class II hitch.

I've looked everywhere (RAV4 World, Toyota Nation, etc.) to verify this and haven't found anything. Nothing on my vehicle, hitch, or owners manual says anything about the hitch or WDH. I googled hitch classes and Reese says that Class II is for up to 3,000 trailer weight and 300 hitch weight (Https://www.reese-hitches.com/learni...towing-classes). My vehicle is rated at 3,500/350.

So, I'm not convinced that the factory hitch is a Class II. Tan factory hitch looks pretty substantial and is more firmly mounted than after market hitches. Seems like it should be okay with a WDH. I really don't want to change hitches if I don't have to.

If Toyota is advertising a 350 tongue weight with the tow package, then it is more than likely a Class III. Is your drawbar 1 1/4" as used on most Class I and II, or 2" as used on Class III and above?

[floyd]

Originally Posted by Doug in Sacramento

Eddie,
Doesn't the battery need to be vented to the exterior? I like the idea but I'm not sure how it would work.

Joe,
I did include 20 lbs for the LowPro Lockdown. I'm having a heck of a time ordering one. The company left me a message over a month ago saying I was on a waiting list and it would be a couple days until one was available. I've heard nothing and they don't respond to emails and calls. Their website doesn't have an "add to cart" button for the lockdown for the Yamaha 2400 so it apparently can't be purchased online.

Look under the back seat of a late model Buick!

[Glenn Baglo]

The hitch that Toyota offered me for my RAV4 was a class II. I specified a class III for a WDH or no deal. They brought in an installer who put in the class III hitch and wired for trailer and brake controller. I was charged $650 for this service. If I had gone with the Toyota factory hitch, I would have paid $950 with no wiring.
The RAV4 manual contains this information ( see picture ), which I pursued clarification of for some six years. Eventually, a Toyota rep phoned me and said that Toyota does not recommend a WDH, because they don't have a relationship with a manufacturer of a WDH. In other words, they don't recommend a Sony radio either, because they don't have a relationship with Sony.

[Glenn Baglo]

Originally Posted by Radar1

If Toyota is advertising a 350 tongue weight with the tow package, then it is more than likely a Class III. Is your drawbar 1 1/4" as used on most Class I and II, or 2" as used on Class III and above?

You can get a Class III hitch receiver that is 2" that is not designed for a weight distribution hitch. You need a Class III for WDH.