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02-06-2015, 12:20 PM
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#21
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Rivet Master
2012 25' Flying Cloud
Battle Lake
, Minnesota
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 7,714
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My concern is not so much the effect of heavy loading on the strength of the A-frame, although that is certainly a consideration, but rather the effect of heavy loading at either or both ends of the trailer on yaw stability (sway).
Simply put, a heavy load moving sideways, and pivoting on the axles, at the ends of the trailer is harder to reverse than a lighter load. At some point, under certain other conditions, it may become uncontrollable sway.
I don't know why my Airstream Owners Manual states tongue weight "MUST NOT EXCEED 1,000 lbs but it's a goal I try to achieve, with stability under adverse conditions in mind.
__________________
Doug and Cheryl
2012 FC RB, Michelin 16, ProPride 1400
2016 Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Cab 4X4 Ecodiesel 3.92 axles
The Truth is More Important Than the Facts
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02-06-2015, 01:15 PM
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#22
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Rivet Master
1994 30' Excella
alexandria
, Kentucky
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,323
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My wild guess is that it would have more to do with the strength of the coupler than anything else. The frames seem pretty stout unless there is severe rust issues. It could also be as simple is the porpoising is much harder to control with extreme tongue weights.
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Steve, Christy, Anna and Phoebe (Border Collie)
1994 Classic 30'11" Excella - rear twin
2009 Dodge 2500, 6 Speed Auto, CTD, Quad Cab, Short Bed
Hensley Arrow hitch with adjustable stinger
WBCCI # 3072
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02-06-2015, 02:25 PM
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#23
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Rivet Master
2000 25' Safari
Davidson County
, NC Highlands County, FL
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,493
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucky Strike
Is it safe if the trailer's hitch weight is more than 15% of it's total weight?
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There is no "one" correct answer to your question since there are many different types of trailer construction. Some of the old trailers have a single pipe down the center for the tongue. Other trailers "A" frames vary from 3" chanel to 5" tubes, or heavier material. A thousand pounds of payload may bend the frame in one trailer and be perfectly fine in another.
The only failures of frames that I have seen have been cracks in metal or welds pulling loose. I suppose most of these failures have been primarily caused from overloading, thought some are undoubtedly from other types of abuse.
I would recommend following the manufacturers written instructions, rather than taking the advice of us trailer jockeys.
__________________
Alan
2014 Silverado LTZ 1500 Crew Cab 5.3L maximum trailering package
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02-07-2015, 08:01 AM
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#24
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Rivet Master
2014 31' Classic
2015 23' International
2013 25' FB International
Apache Junction
, Arizona
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 6,223
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The 10,000 pound GVW of the Classic would imply support for up to 1,500 pounds of tongue weight if the industry suggested 15% rule is applied.
When I towed the new empty Classic to our storage unit from the dealer's lot (about 20 miles on secondary roads to allow for much lower speeds), the trailer was really wiggly despite full propane tanks and basically no fluids in the water related tanks.
For that trip, I had an adjustable height ball for the trailer on the truck as the ProPride was still enroute to my location and I did not trust the dealer to install the ProPride.
__________________
WBCCI Life Member 5123, AIR 70341, 4CU, WD9EMC
TV - 2012 Dodge 2500 4x4 Cummins HO, automatic, Centramatics, Kelderman level ride airbag suspension, bed shell
2014 31' Classic w/ twin beds, 50 amp service, 1000 watt solar system, Centramatics, Tuson TPMS, 12" disc brakes, 16" tires & wheels
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02-07-2015, 09:12 AM
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#25
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Rivet Master
2012 25' Flying Cloud
Battle Lake
, Minnesota
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 7,714
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Quote:
Originally Posted by switz
The 10,000 pound GVW of the Classic would imply support for up to 1,500 pounds of tongue weight if the industry suggested 15% rule is applied.
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But your Airstream Owners Manual doesn't support that suggested 15% rule, on the contrary it states:
"Warning: The tongue weight should he approximately 10%
of the trailer’s total weight, but MUST NOT EXCEED 1,000 lbs."
__________________
Doug and Cheryl
2012 FC RB, Michelin 16, ProPride 1400
2016 Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Cab 4X4 Ecodiesel 3.92 axles
The Truth is More Important Than the Facts
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02-07-2015, 03:13 PM
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#26
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4 Rivet Member
Livingston
, Texas
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 394
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dkottum
But your Airstream Owners Manual doesn't support that suggested 15% rule, on the contrary it states:
"Warning: The tongue weight should he approximately 10%
of the trailer’s total weight, but MUST NOT EXCEED 1,000 lbs."
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I believe the manual also states:
"Equalizing Hitch Load Distribution -- When a trailer is hitched up properly to a tow vehicle with a load equalizing hitch, approximately 1/3 of the trailer’s tongue weight will be on the trailer’s axles and 2/3 will be transferred to the tow vehicle, 1/3 of this weight transfer will be carried by the front wheels and 1/3 by the rear wheels of the tow vehicle (See diagram), ---" -- I would tend to disregard both the 10% specification and the 1/3, 1/3,1/3 distribution. IMO, neither of them is based on good towing stability principles. -- However, I would follow the "MUST NOT EXCEED 1,000 lbs" specification. So if one wanted to tow with 15% tongue weight percentage, the TT's GVW would need to be limited to 1000/0.15 = 6667#. -- Ron
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02-07-2015, 04:50 PM
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#27
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Rivet Master
Vintage Kin Owner
N/A
, N/A
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 989
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Trailer hitch weight limit of 1000# is religion to some but others consider it a recommendation and concern themselves with payload, tow ratings and GCWR.
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