[87MH]

Took the '78 to one of the local CAT scales - towed fine with the Reese Dual Cam - definitely a "sweet spot" at 56 to 57 mph on the interstate.

Tow vehicle was a short WB 3/4 ton Dodge van with the 360 and 4 spd auto (no rear overhang). At the "sweet spot" of 56 mph definetly performed better with the OD turned off - all driving on riceland flat South East Texas Interstate.

I normally get 14.5 ot 15 mpg with the van at 55 to 60, am anxious to compare with the AS in tow.

Interesting numbers at the scale. Took 4 weighs utilizing all three recording scales at the truck stop.

Van only weight:
Front axle - 2840 lbs.
Rear axle - 2880 lbs.

Trailer Only weight:
Weight on axles - 6000 lbs.
Weight on tongue - 660 lbs.

Van and trailer w/ equalizer bringing all to level:
Van Front axle - 2900 lbs
Van Rear axle - 3600 lbs
Trailer axles - 5980 lbs

Weights are with 50% Propane, about 50 lbs of water total, full fuel in the van, and spares and jacks in both vehicles. Trailer is set up for towing, less food, but with outdoor mats, bedding, clothing, and cooking gear in place.

.....Now, here's the kicker.....hooked up, with equalizer bars in place, and everything totally level, the front axle of the trailer weighs in at 3280 lbs, and the rear at 2740 lbs. A 540 lb. difference. The scales indicate I am transferring a total of 200 lbs to the trailer. Is it logical that the front axle of the trailer would take that entire 200 lbs? If that is the case (all the unaccounted weight being transfered to the front axle of the trailer) the axle imbalance would be 340 lbs.

Sure do wish the difference was the other way around, with the heavier axle in the rear.

Now, I do not have any weight at all in the bedroom - just the bed - and would really not like to add any additional wieght back there. I could raise the hitch a bit by increasing the weight on the bars, but that would (I think) put the trailer at a nose high attitude.

Unfortunately, due to the geometry of the scales, I was unable to get an individual trailer axle weight without being hooked up the the van. I guess I could go back and get another weight on both axles (one with the tongue weight) and verify the tongue weight with a stand alone weighing.

The Sovereign is a mid bath, so the black water tank is slightly behind the rear axle, but I think the penalty of additional weight there just for balance outweighs the slight benefit of bringing the front/rear weight ration closer to 50/50.

I know that front axle heavy is a bad thing - any suggestions to transfer weight to the rear axle, other than adding weight solely for the purpose of balance?

Any thoughts on safety issues amplified by pulling the trailer nose high? Rear clearance is not a problem at this time.