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Old 02-07-2013, 12:42 AM   #1
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Why the hitch weight difference?

This has been bugging me for about a week. Why the difference in hitch weights between the 23D at 720lbs and the 23FB at 467lbs?

Is the furnace heavier on the 23D or something? Heck I don't even know if a 25,000 BTU furnace is much heavier than an 18,000 unit but the specs are so close in every category but that one.
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Old 02-07-2013, 01:37 AM   #2
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I would guess its the floor plan layout with what is front of the axles.
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Old 02-07-2013, 05:18 AM   #3
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I would guess its the floor plan layout with what is front of the axles.
Could be the location of the freshwater and holding tanks, if they're different between the two models. Tanks behind the axles act as a counterweight and reduce tongue weight. Tanks in front of the axles add to tongue weight.
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Old 02-07-2013, 05:35 AM   #4
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It is all about layout and corresponding loading due to equipment location.
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Old 02-07-2013, 09:41 AM   #5
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The 23FB is 9" longer then the 23D and might have a different axle placement, as in the extra 9" is behind the axle.
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Old 02-07-2013, 11:05 PM   #6
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Thanks for the responses.

I'm almost of the mind that either configuration would work for me. The lower tongue is somewhat appealing. Still trying to sort out the tow vehicle. This is not going as fast as I thought. <chuckle> Oh well, I will just take my time.
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Old 02-08-2013, 04:35 AM   #7
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Thumbs up Be advised.....

....the published tongue weights are just "guesstimates"....add 300-400lbs to be safe.

Published----860#


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Old 02-11-2013, 12:12 AM   #8
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Geez, "guesstimates"? Really? Ugh...I generally err on the side of safety but this is pushing me into BAT (BigAssTruck) territory and that's not where I want to be.
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Old 02-11-2013, 12:20 AM   #9
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Relax, you don't need a big ass truck to pull a 23' trailer. A jeep grand Cherokee will do fine. Maybe a 1/2 ton truck of your choice if you need the cargo space.
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Old 02-11-2013, 12:46 AM   #10
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Geez, "guesstimates"? Really? Ugh...I generally err on the side of safety but this is pushing me into BAT (BigAssTruck) territory and that's not where I want to be.
Dear Wild - consider the importance of loading your A/S efficiently... and camping LEAN. Don't carry outdoor furniture that you never use, do you really need 2 televisions in a 23 foot trailer? THINK before you buy and load onto the trailer!

I have had to admit I have the hoarding gene... and periodically purge my stuff. No one needs 25 blouses and T-shirts, but I had that many until last weekend, just bought 2 threw away one for too long. And kitchen stuff, and cleaning stuff, and brooms and and and.... I didn't weigh what I donated and threw away but it was probably well over 100 lbs. And I fulltime, so I do need to carry more than the "weekend camper."

If you travel with all tanks full - even with 20 gallon black, white and gray, you're adding almost 500 lbs to the gross weight of the trailer, and most of that will usually be tongue weight.

A half ton truck will do fine for a 23 footer! Paula
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Old 02-11-2013, 10:23 PM   #11
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Thanks for the feedback folks.

I'm thinking I really need to think of tongue weight a lot more now, that's why I'm feeling pushed toward the heavier duty trucks. For some reason I have visions of the rear suspension crashing into the ground on day one.

I don't really have the hoarding gene (chuckle) as I'm a bit of a minimalist to start with, but I'm notorious for my 'what if' gene. LOL

The new diesel Cherokee is high on my list. I'm a photographer so I do need something with decent cargo space that I can use for work when the trailer is not attached. LOVE the Odyssey, too bad it can't tow much of anything.
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Old 02-13-2013, 01:07 PM   #12
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I have weighed my tongue with the Sherline scale and it really varies with what I've loaded. Found it interesting when I was researching models that my 28 has a higher tongue weight than the 30' same year/same model. So, it's about the way they place stuff. Has to be it!
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Old 02-16-2013, 06:50 PM   #13
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Wild,
My 201123FB tongue weight is an actual 785 lbs with propane and water tanks full, waste tanks empty and 'normal' camping load. Can't imagine where Airstream got the 467 lbs that they list for this unit. The good news is that my 08 Jeep GC Diesel tows her just fine with a 10K Equalizer. I'm also holding out for the new GC Diesel.
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Old 02-16-2013, 09:54 PM   #14
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What is the tongue weight of a 23D with a "normal" camping load? If the 23FB is 785lbs is the 23D 1000lbs?

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Old 02-16-2013, 10:14 PM   #15
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A big difference in "normal load" between 23D and 23 FB is the location of the bed, which has the largest storage area.

Also when comparing actual tongue weight to published weight, a Hensley hitch accounts for an extra 250#. Our Andersen hitch is 50#.

So there are great variables between published weight and how each owner loads for any given trip, their hitch setup, and storage tank/propane loads. Best method for packing is to balance the load, with the heavy gear near or over the axles.

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Old 02-17-2013, 06:56 AM   #16
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Had my 2009 23D weighed a couple of weeks ago (on the Shurline scale). It was just under 800 lbs. with one of the propane tanks filled.

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Old 06-08-2013, 12:43 PM   #17
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Wild,
My 201123FB tongue weight is an actual 785 lbs with propane and water tanks full, waste tanks empty and 'normal' camping load. Can't imagine where Airstream got the 467 lbs that they list for this unit. The good news is that my 08 Jeep GC Diesel tows her just fine with a 10K Equalizer. I'm also holding out for the new GC Diesel.
Hi JamuJoe,
I am assuming the 785# includes the weight distribution assembly's weight. Is that correct? Do you happen to know the weight of your WDH assembly? (I am interested in the tongue weight without WDH and with water/gas tanks full).
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Old 06-10-2013, 03:35 PM   #18
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rostam,
The only component of my Equalizer WDH on the tongue was the L brackets - probably 20 lbs. I used a set of digital racing scales. Water and propane tanks full. Our variable load forward of the front axle is simply clothing and bedding.
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Old 06-10-2013, 05:07 PM   #19
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Where things are placed when built will change the tongue weight, sometimes by a lot. For example, moving the fridge two feet back, from above the center of the wheelwell to just behind the wheelwell, can change the tongue weight by over 100 pounds.
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Old 06-10-2013, 08:25 PM   #20
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We have a 2011 23fb. With empty tanks, 1 1/2 tanks of propane, and most of our gear the sherline scale reads 500 lbs. Pretty close to specs. However, we don't carry much gear and no water in order to keep tongue weight down. Someday I'll get a new TV and stop worrying about tw.
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