Actual Tongue Weight, 28 International

[HeadWest]

I'm hoping someone with a 28 International or maybe a recent Flying Cloud has a real ready to roll tongue weight of their trailer. Airstream publishes 950 with the 28' International including propane but nothing else.

With probably being pretty tight on payload capacity with the truck I'm planning on ordering, I'm hoping to get a better ideal of the realistic tongue weight. I won't be putting much weight in the front of the trailer because of payload concerns but would like to get an ideal with the fresh water tank being full. I'm assuming the fresh water tank is over the axles and hopefully doesn't have too much bearing on tongue weight.

Thanks for any real world numbers on this.

[HeadWest]

Still hoping someone with real world numbers on there 28 international can chime in on this one. Thanks!

[ROBERT CROSS]

.....no one has posted.

Our 25' Classic....

Stated AS tongue weight of 860lbs.
Full FW and LPG, provisioned for 14daze of 'dock'n, Hensley Arrow.

Your 3' longer, can't imagine you'd be very far away from 1000lbs loaded.

Take note of the TV axle weight ratings in figuring your payload.



Bob

[MattB]

I recently weighed my 30' Flying Cloud prior to spending 30 days in it for a move.

Unloaded tongue weight = 960lbs.
Loaded tonque weight = 1040lbs.
WDH took 280lbs off of the rear axle based on trailer and front and rear truck axle weights and cargo weight int truck.

I suppose that I could set it up to take more weight off the rear axle of the truck, but it's a 3/4 ton and the numbers seem to work out OK IAW the hitch instructions.

Hope this helps, but from the brochure the 28' is a little heavier than the 30' at the hitch weight. Not sure why.

[HeadWest]

Thanks Matt and Bob. This gives me a little bit more perspective one what is being added with tongue weight in the real world. I'm very aware that I will need to be always aware of how I'm carrying any weight in both the trailer and the TV. I've also been surprised that the 28's have the highest tongue weight. I know I won't be storing wine under the front lounge.

[Jim Flower]

Bob's scale shows the actual tongue wt of a 25 at 1200 lbs. The 28 is heavier than a 25 or 30. Once one fills up with propane, water, and all the other unnecessary stuff that others bring along, a pair of 1400 lb bars will be about right. I found that the extra closet space in the 30 quickly extinguished any tongue weight advantage that it may have enjoyed over the 28. Of course, my extra two batteries stuffed under the settee are a necessity. I think you will most likely discover that these things seem to get heavier each time out, for a while at least. Hence the TPMS and 16" wheels. Jim

[HeadWest]

Thanks Jim. Yup, I will be doing my best to keep the weight from creeping up. I'm glad to be getting the 16's and the TPMS, both seem to be no brainers.

[BAB]

I have a 2012 28' Intl. I tow with a QX56 and have a PP3P with 1400 lb bars. Yes, for whatever reason, the tongue weight of this trailer is shown as 950 (higher than the 30', same series). I weighed it with my Sherline when I first got the trailer and it was 880. My take is that when I load my SUV with my two Honda 2000's, my two basset hounds, and me, I'm still under the 8500 GVWR allowed by my car. In terms of tongue weight, etc., that seems to be less of an issue once I crank in weight distribution. Finally, I've hauled this rig on 7 trips -- including one of 3500 miles roundtrip. Zero issues. Also, I did go to 16' wheels and Michelin LT's, (including spare), Centramatics and lots of other upgrades. Granted, I do not generally tow with a full water tank, and I try not to haul a lot of waste water in either gray/black tank. Mileage runs about 13-14 -- depending on my speed and terrain. Could not be more pleased with agility and feel of my rig. Think everyone has a unique set-up, but from where I sit my numbers seem to work great.

[HeadWest]

Thanks BAB. I'm going to have a very similarly configured rig to your's other then the two vehicle being the F150. I'm feeling confident with the right hitch setup I going to be just fine.

I am thinking I'm probably going to want to invest in a Sherline since I will want to keep tabs on my tongue weight initially and also as we use the trailer and start trying to carry too much stuff.