30' Classic real world hitch weight

[m.hony]

I may need to visit the CAT scale again to get the actual tongue weight, which would mean dropping the trailer jack foot on the 2nd weight pad and then driving away.
Per CAT scale ticket:
Tundra CrewMax and Classic 30:
Steer axle 3060 lb
Drive axle 3960 lb
Trailer axle 7440 lb
Gross weight 14460 lb
Only number I'm missing is actual tongue weight.
Just haven't found the time to get back to the scale.

[franklyfrank]

Originally Posted by mikeinca

If anyone has established real world hitch weight numbers for their 30' Classic it would be great if you could share them. I'd also be interested to know any circumstances that may have influenced your weight readings, for example, the added weight of WD hitch hardware, heavier batteries, full tanks, loaded or unloaded, etc.

AS claims 886# for a 30' Classic but from everything I've read the actual weight is usually significantly higher. I'm trying to get a handle on hitch requirements before we get our own 30 footer. Thanks.

I have recently weighed our 2017 30' Classic tongue at the coupler with a Sherline scale and it comes in at 1,040 lbs. I weigh the hitch with the truck.

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by franklyfrank

I have recently weighed our 2017 30' Classic tongue and it comes in at 1,040 lbs. I weigh the hitch with the truck.

Loaded or moved in? empty and dry? at the coupler or jack?

[m.hony]

Originally Posted by uncle_bob

Hi

This is *way* over thinking the bar issue on the hitch ...... Just go with the 1,000 pound bars and move on.

Bob

I have 1,200# bars...
Seems to work OK.

[james.mileur]

Originally Posted by mikeinca

. . . the difference between factory TW and actual weights and your info helps me understand that.

If you depend on company documentation to buy for the specs, you will understand later, "you get what you inspect, not what you expect". Keeping the documentation technically current with the latest actual changes is a lot of work, for little bottom line, IMO and experience with the 17 Classic Owners' Manual.

[mikeinca]

Originally Posted by james.mileur

If you depend on company documentation to buy for the specs, you will understand later, "you get what you inspect, not what you expect". Keeping the documentation technically current with the latest actual changes is a lot of work, for little bottom line, IMO and experience with the 17 Classic Owners' Manual.

I'm sure you're right, which is why I'm trying to doing some investigation ahead of time. It would be easier if I already had the new TV and TT and could take some of these measurements myself. I'd just like to get the hitch set up right the first time, if possible, Anyway, the discussion with most of the folks offering advice has been interesting and helpful.

[paiceman]

Huh, I tow with an F350 an equalizer hitch and 1,000 # bars. Probably over 100,000 miles with four different Airstreams and obviously different tongue weights and two different trucks, an F250 and now an F350, but I saw a new 2018 Limited Dually F450 on a news show this morning so I might just pick one up if I can get the live in accountant to write the $92,000 check, working on her now.

Never gave much consideration to all the numbers, been towing for over 40 years. My father put over 200,000 miles on his unit, I know he never even gave the hitch set up a second thought. He used Reese as we did for years, now as noted Equalizer. I guess I'll start thinking about it, not sure why, I've never weighed a trailer either, but might - unless I get the new F450 then I won't think about it.

Enjoy.

Bud

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

That's one opinion, but sounds more like an order. Typical of many forums.

Hi

Well, I can't say that sounds very friendly at all ....

Bob

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by uncle_bob

Hi

Well, I can't say that sounds very friendly at all ....

Bob

Sorry, was feeling cranky at the time, but op wants his questions explored, not to be told what to do without answering his need to know. We all have different levels of knowledge and understanding and curiosity, and anal retentiveness (that would be me)

[m.hony]

Knowing tongue weight would only satisfy curiosity for me.
It's moot if I don't intend to buy another truck or trailer.
Run what you brung.

[dznf0g]

OP is moving from a 25er to a 30er and just want to be set properly for pick up. Why would we discourage him from exploring needs. Seems like a very responsible thing to do to me.

[MelGoddard]

The way you guys are 'hashing about' with weight and balance figures; you should be 'Loadmasters' on the C-5A 'Galaxy'.
About the only thing missing here in your information, is the M.A.C. (Mean Aerodynamic Chord) CG Range.

Me? I learned long ago to K.I.S.S.

Currently I have a Ford F-150 which is rated at 7000 lbs. gross wt., and payload of 1777 lbs.
With Joan and I and all our support gear, inc. hitch and spring bars, our weight was 6290 lbs. for our twelve day trip in Aug.
Nice 'cushion' there.

Our FC lists a gross wt. of 8800 lbs.
Our loaded wt. for this trip was 7350 lbs.
Nice cushion here.

Ford rates my max rate at either 14,400 lbs to 16,000+, which every column you read.
Our CVGW was 13,640.

All of these figures are pretty well much under Max.
And that's what I aim for.

I Buy something that will carry a much larger load, and use it for a much 'under loading'.
Having a good 'cushion' is very comfortable, and saves a lot of head scratching and 'phaffing around'.

I don't want to play around;
I need to check over the 'mechanics' of the trailer to ensure that it's roadworthy and operational and then, I want to load and go.

In over ten years of RVing, I've had no problems, other than a flat tire, and my TPMS warned me about that; one hour AFTER I installed it.

[m.hony]

Quite possibly his 25' has more tongue weight than his 30' will have.
Probably won't be a nickel's worth of difference.
I do understand curiosity, though.
He wants to be safe.
I do want to go back to the CAT scale and get my tongue weight, but usually I am in a hurry and it is a time-taking detour- taking precious time from an already long trip.
Maybe one day when I am headed to a campground only a couple of hours away and have all day.

[dznf0g]

Guys, he ain't buying a truck! He's buying a bigger trailer and trying to spec out the proper eq per their worksheet. He kinda jus needs to know the eq requested numbers.

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by m.hony

Quite possibly his 25' has more tongue weight than his 30' will have.
Probably won't be a nickel's worth of difference.
I do understand curiosity, though.
He wants to be safe.
I do want to go back to the CAT scale and get my tongue weight, but usually I am in a hurry and it is a time-taking detour- taking precious time from an already long trip.
Maybe one day when I am headed to a campground only a couple of hours away and have all day.

You may be right. 25s are heavy in front. The pain of scaling is the reason I bought a sherline. Scale is 16 miles from home. Doesn't take many trips to pay for the sherline in wasted fuel. Plus the hassle.

[mikeinca]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

OP is moving from a 25er to a 30er and just want to be set properly for pick up. Why would we discourage him from exploring needs. Seems like a very responsible thing to do to me.

Originally Posted by dznf0g

Guys, he ain't buying a truck! He's buying a bigger trailer and trying to spec out the proper eq per their worksheet. He kinda jus needs to know the eq requested numbers.

Thank you! Exactly!

I engineered telecommunications facilities for 30 years and I like to gather as much data as I can and put a project together based on hard numbers rather than guesswork whenever possible. It may be a bit anal, but it's what I'm comfortable with. If someone has information to share to help me move that process along, I appreciate it.

As you all know, the opinions regarding hitches and set up are exhaustive and varied. There are different hitch types. There are concerns over using bars that are too stiff and not stiff enough. There are manufacturer recommendations for hitch hardware and settings that are different than forum suggestions. There are manufacturer hitch weight specs that are often inaccurate. People weigh their trailers under different conditions so it's hard to compare apples to apples. I'm just trying to sort it all out.

For those who just wing it, more power to you, but that's not the way I like to do things. Far from being stressful or "overthinking", working through the numbers is part of what I enjoy about planning and executing any new project. I'm pretty sure I'm not stepping on anyone's toes by doing that.

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by mikeinca

Thank you! Exactly!

I engineered telecommunications facilities for 30 years and I like to gather as much data as I can and put a project together based on hard numbers rather than guesswork whenever possible. It may be a bit anal, but it's what I'm comfortable with. If someone has information to share to help me move that process along, I appreciate it.

As you all know, the opinions regarding hitches and set up are exhaustive and varied. There are different hitch types. There are concerns over using bars that are too stiff and not stiff enough. There are manufacturer recommendations for hitch hardware and settings that are different than forum suggestions. There are manufacturer hitch weight specs that are often inaccurate. People weigh their trailers under different conditions so it's hard to compare apples to apples. I'm just trying to sort it all out.

For those who just wing it, more power to you, but that's not the way I like to do things. Far from being stressful or "overthinking", working through the numbers is part of what I enjoy about planning and executing any new project. I'm pretty sure I'm not stepping on anyone's toes by doing that.

10/4. Over-specing and under-specing are both wasteful, albeit in different ways. Right tool for the job is where I live. It's my profession and fits my personality as well.

[pt.reyesfan]

Originally Posted by mikeinca

If anyone has established real world hitch weight numbers for their 30' Classic it would be great if you could share them. I'd also be interested to know any circumstances that may have influenced your weight readings, for example, the added weight of WD hitch hardware, heavier batteries, full tanks, loaded or unloaded, etc.



AS claims 886# for a 30' Classic but from everything I've read the actual weight is usually significantly higher. I'm trying to get a handle on hitch requirements before we get our own 30 footer. Thanks.

900 +\- 25lbs, depending on trailer load

[m.hony]

I’m guessing my tongue weight was closer to the 925# the day I went to the CAT scale because we were loaded more than usual heading to a rally for 10 days with extra groceries and items for an auction.

[EarStreaming]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

You may be right. 25s are heavy in front. The pain of scaling is the reason I bought a sherline. Scale is 16 miles from home. Doesn't take many trips to pay for the sherline in wasted fuel. Plus the hassle.

Curious to know what model sherline are you using? Thanks in advance!