Lucy's Hitch Weight

[moosetags]

Yesterday on the way back from Jacksonville, we stopped at Jimmies Truck Plaza in Lee, Florida, and put the girls on the Cat Scales.

Daisy ('04 Suburban 2500) had about 1/2 tank of gas any was loaded with an estimated 600# of cargo. The weighing was done without any passengers on board.

Lucy ('05 Safari 25FB) was loaded for travel with all the usual junk that we always carry. She had about 1 1/2 30# LP tanks on board and she is equipped with a Hensley Arrow.

The runs across the Cat Scales came in as follows:

#1- TV-7520# - TT-6540# - Total weight-14060# - this weigh was done with the TT still hooked to the TV with each on a separate scale plate.

#2- This weigh was done with the TT separated from the TV. Each was on a separate scale plate. TV-6680# - TT-7420# - Total weight-14100#

#3- This weigh was done with the TT at level with the tongue jack on one scale plate and wheels on another. Tongue weight-1260# - trailer weight-6160# - Total weight-7420#

The total rig weight difference (40#) between weigh #1 and weigh #2 I am wrriting off to scale variation.

I do question the tongue weight though. The math would indicate that the tongue weight would be 840# when subtracting the TT's unhooked weight from its hooked up weight. This figure seems about what I would expect.

Weigh #3 is showing the tongue weight as 1260#, and the rest of the trailer at 6160# for a total weight of 7420#. This is the same total tailer weight as shown in weigh #2 when the trailer is weighed by itself.

So, what is the correct tongue weight, 840# or 1260#, or some other figure?

I would appreciate comments and assessments from those knowledgable in these matters

Thanx, Brian

[moosetags]

The trailer was level during weigh #3.

[jimmickle]

The tongue weigh in #3 would be correct. An equalizing hitch transfers part of the tongue weight to the trailer axles and the rest to the TV (1/3-2/3 is typical)

[Airstreamer67]

I am surprised that the trailer has a 17% tongue weight. This seems to be a bit outside of the normal maximum (15%) for travel trailer tongue weight.

Is there something extra-heavy stored in the front?

[bobkelly]

Brain----Great info and usually enlightening to go to the scales and get some actual numbers.

In the first weighing, were the weight distribution bars loaded and transferring weight? If so, this is an explanation for the variation from the actual weights determined in #3. The Hensley is quite heavy and it's entire weight is on the trailer and predominately on the hitch point weight.