Trailer Weights in the Real World

[Trill136]

I realize that my technique is not that sophisticated, but....

So, with mine totally empty, I have an axle weight of about 975 lbs and a tongue weight of about 137 lbs. A total weight of 1100 lbs.

If I put a full propane tank and a battery on the tongue, plus a battery, two full propane tanks and some tools on the rear extension, then I end up with an axle weight of 1190 lbs. And a tongue weight of 120 lbs. A total weight of 1310 lbs.

I am probably off by a bit because I had to measure each wheel separately, and then the tongue. I made three measurements and took the average.

Since the rig is "in progress" there is nothing inside it. I added the propane and batteries in an attempt to get an idea of how the numbers changed.

Not anywhere near "state of the art", more like "state of the backyard"

[Kai in Seattle]

Min, Hoping you do remember that for optimal (non-lethal!) handling, your tongue weight needs to be between 10% and 15% of your total trailer weight. That is, it must be a bit nose-heavy. Otherwise fishtailing can occur, and this can cause all kinds of problems from rough handling to -- well, lets' just say keep it heavy on the tongue.


BEST
Kai

[WaltP]

As Kai says, low tongue weight can lead to fishtailing. I'm not sure what overweight on the tongue causes, other than excess force on the hitch/tongue. I notice Min is right at the lower end there, at 120 lb and if it were me I'd do some adjusting to get it up a bit. Fishtailing is to be avoided at all cost.

Walt

[Kai in Seattle]

Hey, WaltP, there was a video on one of these FGRV threads that showed what happens when a trailer is tail-heavy AND when it's tongue heavy--too heavy on the tongue is a stress on the tow vehicle and also causes rough handling...a bit like fishtailing.


Min's close now, as you point out...I'm not sure how empty Min's trailer really is--totally gutted or just no clothes, water, food, bedding, propane, etc.?


I agree, I'd get it finished, full, re-weighed, and re-balance it...as you say, do some adjusting to keep that tongue weight in the "goldilocks zone."


The sweet spot,


Juuuuuuuuuuuuuust Right!


BEST
Kai

[Trill136]

Evening Guys,

Yes, these numbers are while the trailer is pretty much empty.
There are no side windows installed yet, the cushions were all removed, no clothes, no food, no utensils, no fishing gear.

As a matter of fact, the shell is not even bolted to the frame yet!

I merely put the other items in place to get some idea of what the changes would be.

My experience with 'trailer sway' has led me to aim for a bit more tongue weight than the usual 10%.

I will be using my 1/2 ton F150, with tow/haul package, so I am not really too concerned about a bit extra tongue weight.

[Kai in Seattle]

Min, so your numbers will change before your final tongue calculation. so did ours as we gutted and rebuilt our amerigo, one of those wood-paneled inside types. We, too, went for more than 10% tongue weight upon final weighing when packed and ready to go--but we stay under the 15%--your tow is stronger than ours and sounds like you're right, no problem with that!


BEST
Kai

[k0wtz]

fred you blow my mind on my scamp 13f weight? no wonder my edge hates my scamp!!!

[Markz]

I'm gonna to weigh my camper again and you all know. Love this thread.

[trainman]

Since we are talking about trailer weight here, sway, WDH, etc., I wish posters would include there tow vehicle when telling about there situations. I know many think it's never the tow vehicle, but I would say in many cases it could be.

trainman

[Jon in AZ]

This thread is narrowly focused on three data points (loaded, not dry)- total trailer weight, axle weight, tongue weight- along with the trailer make, model, and length. It was intended to help with selecting a tow vehicle and determining whether WDH might be needed. By not trying to do too much, it has been very successful within its limited focus.

There is another thread that was started to share trailer and tow vehicle combinations, Tow Vehicle and Trailer Combos.

[JonRaw]

Originally Posted by Jon in AZ

This thread is narrowly focused on three data points (loaded, not dry)- total trailer weight, axle weight, tongue weight- along with the trailer make, model, and length. It was intended to help with selecting a tow vehicle and determining whether WDH might be needed. By not trying to do too much, it has been very successful within its limited focus.

There is another thread that was started to share trailer and tow vehicle combinations, Tow Vehicle and Trailer Combos.

I weighed my 2018 Bigfoot 25B21RB this weekend at the CAT scale. The trailer was pretty much empty other than a single 46.2lb battery which I weighed beforehand), 1 empty 1 partially full propane tank (25.6# and 39.4# respectively, also weighed beforehand.) It has all the appliances, including AC but no solar panels and no onboard generator. I was surprised at how heavy it is.



Trailer axles alone while still hooked up to the truck: 4820lbs.

Trailer axles and tongue on jack stand on the same scale: 5360lbs.



That means my tongue weight of 540 with no water is just above 10%. I filled both propane tanks to give it a bit more tongue weight but didn't reweigh after. It was 97 degrees out and I was done. In this trailer it looks like the fresh water is in the very rear of the trailer so the tongue weight will likely go down. At least I know now to load heavy stuff toward the front. Too bad the big outside storage hatch is also near to the back of the trailer. *shrug* I have been towing it with my diesel Chevy Colorado but haven't gone too far. Getting the weight distribution hitch put on soon.

[Jon Vermilye]

Originally Posted by JonRaw

I weighed my 2018 Bigfoot 25B21RB this weekend at the CAT scale. The trailer was pretty much empty other than a single 46.2lb battery which I weighed beforehand), 1 empty 1 partially full propane tank (25.6# and 39.4# respectively, also weighed beforehand.) It has all the appliances, including AC but no solar panels and no onboard generator. I was surprised at how heavy it is.



Trailer axles alone while still hooked up to the truck: 4820lbs.

Trailer axles and tongue on jack stand on the same scale: 5360lbs.



That means my tongue weight of 540 with no water is just above 10%. I filled both propane tanks to give it a bit more tongue weight but didn't reweigh after. It was 97 degrees out and I was done. In this trailer it looks like the fresh water is in the very rear of the trailer so the tongue weight will likely go down. At least I know now to load heavy stuff toward the front. Too bad the big outside storage hatch is also near to the back of the trailer. *shrug* I have been towing it with my diesel Chevy Colorado but haven't gone too far. Getting the weight distribution hitch put on soon.

Thanks for posting. I added your trailer to the spreadsheet version of Trailer Weights in the Real World.

[Kai in Seattle]

JonRaw: lots of good info about your trailer and situation. That storage at the very back can be filled, maybe, with very large but light things like folding chairs. Of course you really needed me to tell you that!

Wishing you good times!

BEST
"K"

[Steve Hammel]

Is there somewhere that I can find the "real world" weight of the Escape 21?

[Steve Hammel]

Is there any way to view Jon's Excel spreadsheet without having Excel? I've been trying to find the real world weight of the Escape 21 as compared to the Bigfoot 21. I find lots on the Bigfoot 21 but nothing on the Escape 21.

[WaltP]

Originally Posted by Steve Hammel

Is there any way to view Jon's Excel spreadsheet without having Excel? I've been trying to find the real world weight of the Escape 21 as compared to the Bigfoot 21. I find lots on the Bigfoot 21 but nothing on the Escape 21.

Steve
Search for Open Office.
It's a free, open source suite, compatible with most of MS Office, including Excel.

Walt

[Steve L.]

One time....

[Donna D.]

Jon V. is keeping a list too, it actually adds to Frederick's. There are more 21' Escape's in this list. Available for download: http://lakeshoreimages.com/spreadsheets/Weight.xls

[Deb & Chuck]

Donna,

I don't see anything in the file attachment ? Am I doing something wrong?


Deb

[Steve Hammel]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

Jon V. is keeping a list too, it actually adds to Frederick's. There are more 21' Escape's in this list. Available for download: http://lakeshoreimages.com/spreadsheets/Weight.xls

Thanks Donna. unfortunately I've clicked on that link several times to no avail. I then tried downloading it and when I tried to open it a message came up stating that I do not have Excel.