Refined TV weight numbers = required weight distribution?

[flyfishfred]

Well just for the fun of it i took my truck (F350 4X4 crew cab)to the dump so i could actually get the real weight currently on each axle. The results were 4,600 lb on front axle and 2,700 lb on rear axle (without camper). So then i called the camper mfgr to get center of gravity of camper/actual weight. He said that it was about 6" in front of rear axle. The camper will weigh 2,000 lb so i figure add most of it's weight to the rear axle. When you do that then you have 4,00 lb on front and 4,700 lb on rear axle pretty much balancing out truck axles. Now we add a 900+/- lb trailer tounge weight that is roughly 5' - 6" behind rear axle (fulcrum point) Looks like i really do need some weight distribution system when i travel with the camper on. Can one now figure how much needs to be transferred to front axle hence determine exact size of weight distribution system to place on trailer lb wise ?
Fred

[overlander63]

Recommended WD bars would be 500#-750#. 500# is no longer available by most manufacturers, so the 750's would have to do. I use 750's on our 7000# trailer, 800# tongue weight, and a 3/4 ton truck with a camper shell on the back.

[flyfishfred]

Hi Terry,
Well your camper shell does not weigh 2,000 lb , correct ? its probably quite lighter.

Just got off the phone with my niece's husband who is a structural engineer. We discussed the weight numbers and here is what he came up with.
The truck without the camper is actually quite balanced weight wise with only the trailer on it ( roughly 4,600 lb on each axle) thereby really not needing weight distribution.The same thing is true (balanced ) with just the camper. When combined ( camper along with the trailer ) it actually adds 1,247 lb more to the rear axle and subtracts 347 lb off the front axle (fulcrum effect). In order to balance the trucks axles weight equally,then what is required is to shift approx 800lbs up to the front axle (tires) through a weight distribution system. I think thats correct.
Fred

[Beginner]

Perform the Acid Test.
At first chance with the trailer on the TV, stop at a truck stop that has a CAT Scale (Certified Automatic Truck Scale).
The first pass here in VA is $10.00 and every pass there after for the next 24 hours is $1.00.
No amount of calculator will be more accurate than actually getting the thing weighed.
Also
What do have in the way of anti-sway device.
Beginner

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by flyfishfred

Hi Terry,
Well your camper shell does not weigh 2,000 lb , correct ? its probably quite lighter.
Fred

Correct. But I bet you don't have a toolbox and tools totaling 1300 pounds in the back of your truck. So, the 200 pound camper shell, and the 1300 pounds of tools, add up to 1500 pounds.