Actual Tongue Wt.: 2019/2020 GT 27 FBT?

[blacklab]

Anyone have the actual tongue weight of a 2019 or 2020 Globetrotter 27 FB Twin from your CAT scale weights?

Also, I read in another post that Airstream supposedly weighs each AS that comes off of the production line, including the actual tongue weight. According to that poster, that information is available from AS if requested by the owner of the trailer.

I'm trying to get a sense of the real actual weight (or a range of the weights), rather than what is printed in the AS spec sheet.

Ideally, I'd like the "dry weight" number, which would not include the personal cargo, etc. that would be included in a "wet weight" tongue weight.

But, if "wet weight" is all you have, I'd appreciate it also.

Thank you.

Cheers,

Bryan

[GOUSC]

My 2018 27FB Twins tongue weight was 1,048 at the Cat Scales fully loaded for travel. Full Propane and full fresh water tank / 2 AC’s / Factory Solar.

[blacklab]

Thank you. That's helpful.

Assuming that may be a "typical" "wet tongue weight" for a GT 27 FBT, I'll be looking for ways to trim that down IF I decide to go with a 1/2 ton diesel rather than a 3/4 ton. Note: That decision is TBD.

The 2020 Chevy/GMC and RAM 1/2 ton diesels (2 WD, which is what I'd get) may come in around 2,000 lbs Payload (possibly a bit more or less depending on the final selection of options).

With the passenger + cargo that I may want to carry in the TV, I'd sure like a net payload capacity of 1,000 lbs to 1,100 lbs to have available for the passengers + cargo. Ideally, with some additional "buffer".

With a full fresh water tank in the AS at 39 gallons, that is 326 lbs. I wonder how much of that, if any, shows up in the Tongue Weight?

Obviously there's an expense involved, but I could replace the two 30 lb steel propane tanks with two 20 lb aluminum tanks, providing a net weight savings of 40 lbs.

And, of course another expense, but with additional benefits besides weight reduction, would be to replace the stock lead acid batteries with lithium.

As this will be our first AS (and first RV for that matter), I'm not sure yet how much "stuff" we'll want to put in the AS. We've been backpackers and car campers for many years, so we are good at trying to "keep it simple". We recently spent 15 days using a friend's 25' AS which gave us some indication of what we think our "needs" and "wants" might be as regards stuff to put in the AS itself. I've not yet focused on a weight estimate of those "needs" and "wants". And even with such an estimate, I don't know how I'd estimate how much of that weight would show up in the Tongue Weight.

At this point, I'm not factoring in any potential weight shifting benefits that a WD hitch could achieve in moving some of the Tongue Weight back onto the AS axles.

So, an ongoing exploration and study!!

Cheers,

Bryan

[ghaynes755]

Bryan, WD really is moving weight from the trailer tires to the front axle. Doesn't usually do much with the tongue weight. Depending the WD setup you get that will also add weight to the tongue/hitch.

As you look at trucks don't trust, DON'T BELIEVE, the marketing materials for payload. Look at the yellow door stickers on similar trucks to what you want to buy. Anything else is mythical and will be woefully wrong.

And if you have seen 2,000 payloads remember that the diesel engine will weigh more than the gas equivalent eating into payload again. Not apples to apples but the Cummins on my RAM is about 800# heavier than the gas equivalent and why I went with a 3500 rather than a 2500.

[brick1]

The dry weight is stamped on the front roadside corner. My 28 has a loaded tongue weight of 963 lbs.

[jeffmc306]

Blacklab, I see where you’re going with this and like it.

I can offer some relevant CAT scale data for a 2019 Ram 1500 and 2500 with a 2019 27’ Globetrotter.

We bought a 2019 27’ Globetrotter in December and went with a 2019 Ram 1500 because the dealer said the truck’s payload was 1840 lbs. Turns out the truck’s door sticker’s payload was 1220 lbs., well under our requirements. Dealer and FCA took the truck back and we got a 2500 with 2940 lbs payload.

I took both trucks to the CAT scales and put the numbers in a table to make it easier to compare. I filled the fresh water tank before each scale trip.

Real world experience was the Ram 1500 towed fine with the 3.92 axle and 5.7 Hemi. The problem really was payload and a 3” drop on the rear axle with the trailer connected. The WD bars helped but didn’t shift as much weight as I hoped.

The 2500 weighs 1000 lbs more than the 1500 and tows like a dream with the 6.4 Hemi and 3.73 axle. In fact, we’re getting the same if not better MPG towing (10-12 MPG).

I would love to see how the new Ram 1500 3.0 Diesel tows - my guess is no problem with power. My concern is the payload. Diesels weigh more which will reduce the actual payload. Go off the door sticker! Check out the 5thGenRam Forums; guys are posting their door stickers. Fast Lane Trucks also just posted a YouTube video road test of a 2020 Ram 1500 Diesel.

Anyway, go into it eyes wide open. I am SO GLAD we upgraded to the 2500 and no longer have to worry about ounces let alone pounds in the bed and inside the truck. Good luck with your quest!

[blacklab]

Gary,

Thanks for the input. And yes, I am clear that the only data that matters is what is on the door jamb sticker. My statement about the approximately 2,000 +/- lb Payload of the new 2020 Chevy/GMC and RAM 1/2 ton diesels came from photos of the actual door jam sticker on one 2020 GMC 1/2 ton diesel and one 2020 RAM 1/2 diesel.

Brick,

Thank you. Is your 28 a FB or a RB?

Cheers,

Bryan

[blacklab]

Jeff,

Thank you for your reply.

Yes, indeed, I'm following a number of forums regarding the Chevy/GMC 1/2 ton diesels and the RAM 1/2 ton diesels.

These Chevy/GMC 1/2 ton diesel trucks are actually showing up on Dealers' lots now, so there are door stickers to be viewed and photographed.

The RAMs have not yet been certified by EPA, so as far as I can tell there aren't any on dealer lots, but, as you note, there have been some "demos" that are showing up in YouTube videos, etc. The one door sticker of the RAM that I have a picture of is from a YouTube video done by one of the numerous truck reviewers and that showed a Payload of 2,040 for a 2WD version of the 1/2 ton diesel.

So, we'll see how this evolves as the new Chevy/GMC 1/2 diesels and the new RAM 1/2 diesels hit the market, get tested in towing scenarios and start getting customer feedback.

BTW, some of the changes they have made to the RAM 1/2 ton diesel seem like they will indeed make it a better towing truck. For example, they've moved part of the cooling system intake into the lower part of the front bumper, making it more efficient.

I'm not going to be crazy about looking to shave ounces, but I do want to gather all the info I can before I decide whether a 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton is my better choice overall.

Cheers,

Bryan

[blacklab]

Jeff,

Is that analog gauge that shows 1,000 lbs registering the "wet" Tongue (Hitch) Weight (w/o any WD I presume) of your GT 27 FBT?

Cheers,

Bryan

[jeffmc306]

Hi Bryan,

That's my Sherline tongue scale measuring wet but not fully loaded with our gear. I leveled the trailer and made a stand for the scale on a base and 4x4 post. Our trailer has dual AC units and factory solar options. Airstream published tongue weights are for the base model trailers (no options) but with full propane tanks.

Hope that helps!
Jeff

[blacklab]

Jeff,

Thank you. That's helpful.

Cheers,

Bryan

[sheriff1]

Originally Posted by jeffmc306

Hi Bryan,



That's my Sherline tongue scale measuring wet but not fully loaded with our gear. I leveled the trailer and made a stand for the scale on a base and 4x4 post. Our trailer has dual AC units and factory solar options. Airstream published tongue weights are for the base model trailers (no options) but with full propane tanks.



Hope that helps!

Jeff

I found with my Sherline just lowering the tongue onto the scale didn’t give me an accurate reading. I had to bounce some additional weight on the tongue to get it to read consistently. Is this common?

[dznf0g]

Yes, just use your hands and body weight to lift and push several jounces. Make sure it stays absolutely vertical and centered in the ball cavity. If it gets a side load, it will not be accurate.

Originally Posted by sheriff1

I found with my Sherline just lowering the tongue onto the scale didn’t give me an accurate reading. I had to bounce some additional weight on the tongue to get it to read consistently. Is this common?

[jimro]

2019 27GT FB Fully loaded.Tongue weight is at the front of a PP hitch tho so a bit less than at the coupler.

[sheriff1]

Wow... my 27FB Eddie Bauer is 1250, same PP equipment.

[blacklab]

jimro,

Thank you. Is that gauge reading 800 lbs? When you say "fully loaded" does that include any water in the Fresh Water tank?


Sheriff1,

I wonder how the dry "base weight" of your Eddie Bauer compares to the dry "base weight" of a typical Globetrotter 27' FBTwin. I just looked at a new one on the lot at an AS dealer and with 2 ACs, but no installed solar, the label on the frame of the AS said: "Factory manufactured weight of this trailer" as 6,570 lbs." This unit also had the optional Convection/Microwave oven.

The GVWR of that trailer, as it is for all Globetrotter 27', is 7,600. Thus, leaving 1,030 lbs. (7,600 minus 6,570) of total cargo capacity available. So, if the Fresh Water tank is full that is 326 lbs (39 gallons x 8.35 lbs per gallon) and both stock 30 lb propane tanks are full, that's an additional 60 lbs., a combined total of 386 lbs. That leaves 644 lbs available for everything else, including liquids, if any, in the Black and Grey tanks.

Cheers,

Bryan

[jimro]

[QUOTE=blacklab;2290213]jimro,

Thank you. Is that gauge reading 800 lbs? When you say "fully loaded" does that include any water in the Fresh Water tank?


A bit over 800 lbs. Full fresh water, two bikes on a Fiamma rack in the back, four solar panels on top and about 3/4 propane. I don't feel like it's loaded up that much inside (lots of empty spaces) yet the total trailer weight on a scale is 7800 lbs, a 100 over GVRW. They aren't made to carry much.

[blacklab]

jimro,

You're right---they aren't built to carry much. As I mentioned above, the 27 FB Twin that I'm looking at has a net carrying capacity of 644 lbs., assuming a Full Fresh Water tank, full propane tanks, but empty Black and Grey water tanks. If the Black and Grey water tanks were each 1/2 full, they would use about 50% of that net carrying capacity of 644 lbs., leaving a bit over 300 lbs for everything else inside the trailer and in the outside storage areas.

Your 800 lbs Tongue Weight is interesting, compared to the others who have replied. Wonder why? Could the bikes on the rear or other weight you have in the rear living area be a partial explanation?

Are the solar panels more to the center and the rear, and less towards the front?

Is your FB a Queen or a Twin?

BTW, I may be incorrect, but your GVWR for that trailer may be 7,600. Thus, your 7,800 may be 200 over.

I've asked the AS dealer to measure the Tongue Weight of the GT 27' FB Twin that I'm looking at. I should have that info in a couple of days. It will be a "dry" Tongue Weight with batteries, but empty propane tanks, nothing in the Fresh Water, Black or Grey tanks and no cargo in the trailer, etc. But, I'm interested to see the number.

Cheers,
Bryan

[GOUSC]

Originally Posted by blacklab

jimro,

Thank you. Is that gauge reading 800 lbs? When you say "fully loaded" does that include any water in the Fresh Water tank?


Sheriff1,

I wonder how the dry "base weight" of your Eddie Bauer compares to the dry "base weight" of a typical Globetrotter 27' FBTwin. I just looked at a new one on the lot at an AS dealer and with 2 ACs, but no installed solar, the label on the frame of the AS said: "Factory manufactured weight of this trailer" as 6,570 lbs." This unit also had the optional Convection/Microwave oven.

The GVWR of that trailer, as it is for all Globetrotter 27', is 7,600. Thus, leaving 1,030 lbs. (7,600 minus 6,570) of total cargo capacity available. So, if the Fresh Water tank is full that is 326 lbs (39 gallons x 8.35 lbs per gallon) and both stock 30 lb propane tanks are full, that's an additional 60 lbs., a combined total of 386 lbs. That leaves 644 lbs available for everything else, including liquids, if any, in the Black and Grey tanks.

Cheers,

Bryan

Bryan,
I may be wrong but I think you have more room for cargo in your RV than you think. Using my GLobetrotter as an example - dry weight is around 6,600. I put around 700 lbs of stuff in it which gets me to 7,300. You would think I only 300lbs a available for stuff. However, my tongue weight of 1,000 lbs is transferred to the TV so my GT weight is only 6,300 lbs which gives me 1,300lbs before I hit the 7,600 weight the axles will carry. When I weigh my combo on the Cat Scales my RV weight with weight distribution is 6,340 fully loaded for travel so this kinda confirms the above. I’ll never come close to putting 1,300 more lbs more lbs in my RV. I’m just thinking once you consider your tongue weight you will have more than 600 lbs to add as cargo.

[blacklab]

GOUSC,

Thanks for pointing out that the Tongue Weight is transferred to the TV (with some of that weight being transferred back to the Trailer axles with WD). I had lost sight of that fact.

I just heard back from my AS dealer that the GT 27' FB Twin that we're looking at has a "dry" Tongue Weight (batteries but no propane in tanks) of 915 lbs.

Cheers,

Bryan