I wanted to get some baseline numbers before I started the rebuild. TT was dry and no gear or supplies. Propane probably empty and the axles are shot. TV had full tank of gas and the two of us but no other gear or equipment.
Lots of information here, I’ll try to keep it order.
TV: 2016 F250 SRW 6.7L Diesel
GVWR: 10000lbs
Front GAWR: 5940 @ 65psi
Rear GAWR: 6100 @ 65psi
Weight of occupants and cargo:
1948
TT:
GVWR: 5800lbs
GAWR: 5200
Front and rear axles both 2600
GCWR: 23500lbs
Can tow up to 13500
The TT came with what I think is a Reese WD hitch. I set this at six links on the chain. Wasn’t difficult to engage but everything looked fairly level. We drove about 20 miles to the scales and it tracked and rode great. I did not feel much sway or push from the passing semi’s going the other way. While at the scales I decided to see what would happen if I increased the WD 1 link.
1st pass on scale was TV + TT with WD engaged 6 links
2nd pass on scale was TV + TT with no WD
3rd pass on scale was TV + TT with WD engaged 5 links
4th pass on scales was TV solo
I’ve attached four photos of the CAT scale passes.
The third pass with one less link engaged brought the TT high in the front making me think that I’ll need a receiver that is a few inches lower than current - except I plan to add the 3” lift from Dexter on the new axles so that might mitigate that issue.
This is what I figured from the passes:
TT weight 4400lbs dry and unloaded. All the interior is still intact.
10-15% for tongue weight should be 440-660 lbs
Subtracting the TT Axle weights from each of the first three passes from the total TT weight is as follows:
1st =740lbs
2nd =760lbs
3rd = 640lbs
Looks like the third pass with the five links engaged gets me closest to the 15% number that we are looking for and also the front axle weight seems to be closest to the truck normal stance by itself.
I know these numbers are skewed due to the different hitch and receiver heights and the fact that there is no cargo or full tanks.
That being said:
1) have I used the correct weight readings to come up with my conclusions or am I off base?
2) will the new axles ( I am thinking of 3000lb GAWR axles) change the dynamics of the tongue weight dramatically?
3) If my tongue calculations are correct than I should be able to have an additional 1200lbs of cargo if needed. (My wife and I were in the truck for all weighs)