RV Tongue Weight Challenge! How much weight do Travel Trailers actually transfer? part 1

[@BTBRVReviews]

Keep in mind, Tongue weight will vary depending on load placement, number of batteries, full vs empty propane tanks, weight distribution hitch setup, load and balance of cargo, and status of holding tanks. This video wasn't an attempt to outline exact figures when loaded, it was to demonstrate an example of hitch weight. I am also aware that the scale dropped the nose of each trailer down about 2" which would transfer a very marginal amount of weight towards the front.

[@TheJrempel]

How would an equalizer hitch effect the transfer of some of these numbers?

[@geraldkoth654]

Get a scale, get the trailer weighed when you are ready to travel. Set up your hitch to make drop on all four wheels of the truck even, with the trailer level front to back. Then weigh the tongue. Start moving things fore and aft until you have from 10 to 12 percent of the total weight on the tongue. Redo the weight distributing hitch again making sure you have the right bars for your tongue weight.

[@rdmease]

This is crazy, it seems like a scrap shoot. I’d say do the best you can calculating the numbers, then if you feel safe and comfortable going down the road consider yourself fortunate.

[@Kyle-ut4jg]

@@geraldkoth654 get yourself a bigger truck then you won't have to worry about trying to get the perfect tongue weight.

[@chrispickens7569]

Every RV sales rep should have this tool and do this for their customers.

[@935frank]

the tool is not cheep most over $200 and up

[@chrispickens7569]

@@935frank peanuts in scheme of the operation of a dealership of much size.

[@greygoose4x46]

@@chrispickens7569 I agree / if a bar is “liable” for over serving ... I think a dealership should be held liable for “over weight” selling.

[@gumby511]

@@935frank 200 is nothing when its your business. 2000 would even been a good investment for the dealership.

[@chadsteele1]

100% agree

[@henryford2736]

4:08 I don't think you are correct. You can't take the cargo weight and add 100% of the cargo to the tongue weight. The water tank is usualy around the middle of trailer so only a fraction of that weight will transfer to the tongue. You can't say I load it with 400lb the tongue weight will go up 400lb.

[@tranz15]

my 2019 cougar has a 60 gallon fresh water tank under the front bedroom so it transfers a considerable amount of weight to the tongue maybe not the whole 480 pounds but its up there but it is a balancing act of moving your supplies here and there to try to equalize the weight

[@juandepedro8143]

@@tranz15 exactly, mine is on the other side of the trailer, behind the axles.

[@questioner1596]

A light tongue weight is usually not dangerous below 90 km/h (55 mph). That's why European trailers have their axles better centred - there is a lower speed limit for RV trailers. My point is that as long as you know your setup and drive accordingly, you can be safe. If you know your trailer has a light tongue, stay on the slower back roads and off the divided highways, and enjoy the fuel savings as a bonus.

[@Kyle-ut4jg]

Slower speeds definitely help but going down a hill a 90 km/h with a really low tongue weight is still going to cause you major problems. It is best to keep your cargo closer to the front of the trailer.

[@Traveler_GAL]

Wheel placement can change things too. Further back vs closer front. Also, fresh water tank placement. Mine is upfront under the front bed.

[@guiguigodro]

It makes a huge difference! Seems like RV manufacturers couldn't care less....

[@1966chipmaker]

I’m really glad, J.D., that you made this video! The tongue weights are very surprising. Thanks for the great job you do!

[@canada59worldwide31]

I have to agree with some of the earlier comments, it seems odd that the dry weight only transfers 10-15% of their weight but any weight you add gets transferred 1/1. The very first example in the video I feel is just wrong. I appreciate that people overestimate what they can tow, but I’d still like to see a video using the scale, and add gear and see the change on the tongue

[@WilliamFisher1]

The RV looks like it's angled down when you put it on the scale? The front is awfully low... If so, that would make the test inaccurate. More weight will be on the front if it's leaning downwards. You want it level, like it would be when attached to a hitch... To get the most accurate number. Unless I'm missing something?

[@acdii]

Spot on. Had the exact same thought.

[@LukeEdward]

Even though there are many variables, if you generalize the trigonometric formulas for an even weight distribution, and guess that the angle is probably 5 degrees at maximum, you are probably looking at a less than 10% increase in tongue weight for the angling downward. For me, I’d be just fine if I said to someone that the measured tongue weight was 550 lbs, and it was actually 500lbs. That is an acceptable error factor given that you can change the tongue weight more than that by the location of the cargo.

[@WilliamFisher1]

@@LukeEdward If he's off by 10%, that means the tongue weight is 810lbs... That's 12% of the 6800lb dry weight... Even less if those propane tanks are full. Nothing wrong with 12% tongue weight.

[@Ultrafrozen]

The longer the trailer, the lesser the change in weight from nose up to nose down. You are only talking about a thin wedge of material directly over the axles shifting from just behind to just forward of the axle. I re-watched and they all don't seem that far off from level.

[@jamesbeaman6337]

I’m not buying that this is what is happening. In order for that to happen, an equal amount of weight would have to be transferred off the axle or axles if the tongue is lowered and That doesn’t make sense to me. Are you saying the weight on the hitch of the tow vehicle increases when you go downhill and gets lighter when you go uphill? I doubt it but it would be a good one for Mythbusters.

[@GallagherKeith]

A couple comments. First, I think you do a great job alerting people of the dangers of overloading trucks and how quickly it adds up. In regard to this video, the used unit had a battery and propane tanks that weren't empty so I would expect the tongue weight to be higher. I think a live test of having the scale in place and adding the tanks and battery would really show the viewer how it makes a difference. It would also be interesting to add a person or two to the inside of the trailer to simulate cargo weight and the affect it has on tongue weight if it moves forward or backward of the axles. Keep up the great videos.

[@randywilliams9531]

It also depends on where the axles are as far as the balance for tongue weight

[@donaldblevins5028]

This video was very informative and I appreciate educational value that you provided today. Thank you.

[@DavidBrown-jt7yi]

This is just good solid info. There are alot of variables in every situation but I appreciate the thought process that has to go into this. Thanks JD.

[@atubeviewer4942]

2 things. 1- there's no link to your part 2. 2- this would have been a perfect time to tell ppl how much tongue weight to trailer weight we should aim for. Should the tongue weight be 5, 10, 15% etc., of the trailer total weight?

[@donaldtimmons7675]

Great content, thank you. Perhaps manufacturers might entertain the idea of a weight scale built into the tongue jack! Just imagine the possibilities with this concept, especially where safety is concerned!! Thanks again man, love your videos, very informative...

[@Etheo1ify]

I second this. Very helpful to the owner to know the weight upfront rather than estimating. Using a CAT scale is accurate but they are not always within the vicinity

[@acdii]

Well, on the next segment, I hope you go into details of axle placement and why they matter. If anything, what this video purely points out, DON'T USE DRY WEIGHT! The second trailer is a prime example, the TW on that trailer is WAY too light for a travel trailer and I would not want to be the one towing it empty. With less than 10% on the ball, you cannot distribute weight properly, and if one tried to, the weight transfer to the trailer would make it even more unstable. It reminds me of our first trailer, a Coleman CT274BH. Bringing it home when it was completely empty was a white knuckle, what did I get myself into, experience. Once we got it loaded for the road and filled the FWT, it towed great, but when we sold it, I delivered it to the new owners and thankfully I had the F350 to tow it because it was a wiggle worm on the Interstate. On that last trailer I figured between 800-900 TW, mainly due to axle placement. The only one I didn't get within 20 pounds was the second one with less than 10% TW, quite surprised at that one since it was darn near identical to the 274BH in GVWR, CCC and UVW, but was 200 pounds lighter on the ball.

[@HopeCreekConnemara]

He needs to also have a level so that the trailer’s level when you’re measuring tongue weight. Any trailer tongue weight is going to go up if you lower the crank below level.

[@jshapiro34]

What amount of those weights should be on tires

[@shipfox22]

@@jshapiro34 As long as your 10-15% on tongue weight & not over the gvwr ( trailer+ payload compacity) it shouldnt matter.

[@flippinsteel2352]

I was thinking the same thing. 2" of toung hight could easily transfer 200lbs ether way especially with the tanks full

[@donnieroebuck6590]

I have owned a tongue weight gauge for a couple of decades and simply won't be without one. It is my opinion that we owe it to others on the road to have our tow vehicles and trailers in the best possible condition and properly matched. And...well...I'm a trailering nerd...I enjoy the math and related things to get the best possible balance for handling and stopping when it really counts. This becomes ESPECIALLY important with bumper pull trailers due to the unloading of the front tires and the lever created by the distance between the centerline of the tow vehicle rear axle and the centerline of the hitch ball. On my '23 Super Duty, this distance is about 60"...a five foot lever that allows every movement of the trailer to have a larger effect on the truck. So take the time, get a tongue weight gauge and learn to use it. Load the trailer as you normally would and see what you've got...and if neccessary, start moving stuff until the tongue weight is correct. Ford Motor Company calls for 10% of the loaded trailer weight of a bumper pull rig to be on the hitch ball and 15% on the pin or ball for a fifth wheel or gooseneck. I like a bit more...13% for my bumper pull and 20-22% for my gooseneck. Once you get good at using the gauge, the checks take minutes...and when you get the balance exactly right, the drive is sooooo much more pleasureable...and safer...

[@campnut6076]

JD, I would love to see this done to a couple fifth wheels pin weight. Comparing actual pin weight to what manufacturers listed pin weight. Possibly with your own, an empty pin weight vs a loaded, ready to go camping pin weight would be very interesting. Thanks for the video.

[@rewelke]

European RV trailers are nearly leveled to zero between front and back when in dry weight. Up to 420 lbs to front when's fully loaded, depending on the car's hitch capacity.

[@williamrizzo1285]

Remember, any cargo that is placed behind the axle will actually take away some of the tongue weight.

[@BTBRVReviews]

Correct. It's all about balance.

[@donkeller6399]

Behind the axle... potentially adding some unsafe highway stability.

[@juandepedro8143]

@@donkeller6399 You seem to be alluding to loading all weight ahead of the axle. It’s all about balance, in my scenario I have a whole lot of room in the balance equation on my trailer to load behind the axles. Not all trailers are loaded equal, it’s not just about ahead or behind the axle, distance from the axles also makes a difference.

[@jshapiro34]

@@BTBRVReviews so how should a trailer be towed with no weight distribution hitch vs a hitch distribution hitch? Do you hook up and measure sag then unhook and re-adjust hitch height to be level with no sag? Do you expect the weight distribution to take sag out? On a cat scale how should the trailer be how much weight should be trailer tires vs drive vs steer

[@questioner1596]

That's why North American trailers have the axles so far back - the whole trailer is a lever with the fulcrum at the axles. With less rear than front overhang, 2 lb at the very back can be cancelled with 1 lb on the tongue.

[@jondrew55]

I like the look of this scale. I bought a Sherline LM 1000 tongue scale. its a bit cheaper but not quite as convenient to use

[@ben12079]

I’d be real curious if you put blocks under the scale to level the trailers. It would be fairly easy to try it with and without the block(s) to see how much the tongue weight changes.

[@jamesbeaman6337]

My bet is that it will make no difference.

[@craigcontofalsky4387]

Glad you're doing this video! All the pickup manufacturers fudge their numbers to make you think you can tow 10,000 to 12,000 trailers with their 1/2 ton pickups!! No way!!! Most consumers don't have a clue what they are doing when it comes to safely towing!

[@paulrodrigues9603]

My gripe is the WDH. WDH's come in weight ranges (ex 4-6K) (6-8K) (8-10K) (10-12K) ETC. Make sure YOU KNOW to buy the correct WDH. It's not a matter of price. (not much difference in cost between range) Dealer may want you to buy what is in stock. Which won't do the intended job. Too much hitch is bad also.

[@thnksno]

I don't know if it's been said. But I think the measuring tool might be giving higher readings because of its short length. It seemed you were lowing the tongue making the trailers nose down to accommodate the tool. These teeters the trailer forward, possibly adding weight forward than if it was level.

[@dannyw7662]

The big bunkhouse has a Blue Ox weight dist chain saddle on it. I have a 3,000 lb gross enclosed single axle cargo trailer that weighs 1,000 lb but because the axle is so far back it has 300 on the tongue before cargo is loaded in it.

[@briandonald]

I contacted one the local RV dealers and asked if I could come out and measure the tongue weight of the trailer I’m interested in. I told them that I would buy/provide the scale and they weren’t interested in allowing me to do that. Thanks for this video.

[@sledforpeace]

Your scale is to short. All of the rv’s you tested were angled nose down. You should’ve tested them leveled so as they are when hitched to a truck...

[@josephpak4277]

Yeah, I noticed on the 2nd unit that the rear axle was up off the ground.

[@joe1071]

Thought the same thing

[@gerrymatheson4020]

A simple fix... have a block to set the scale on to make sure the trailer is level when taking a reading...

[@rockycadieux4642]

Plus the hitch, and my wife’s clothes 😝

[@johnschnorr318]

Don't you want to vary the height of the scale, based on the trailer being level? That's why we have adjustable ball heights.

[@dougsmith9028]

The conclusions that you came to are flawed and misleading in two ways. The first is, the unit was not level when the measurement is taken. The trailer being lower at the hitch end will transfer weight forward making the tongue weight appear higher. The second is why would all of the additional payload that was added to the trailer be on the hitch? That is not realistic. Every situation is different but for the most part if the unit dry has 10% or so hitch weight the added payload would be Similar. This demonstration is not helpful.

[@juandepedro8143]

He is extremely smart, however his content has been flawed for quite sometime. As you mentioned he stated that all weight added to the trailer would count against the TW. What I believe he meant to say and should have stated clearer was that weight added to the pass through will count heavily against the TW and all additional weight added to the trailer will also increase TW but it will vary depending on location in the trailer. The last trailer he weighted is an used trailer and likely had LP and maybe even a battery on it. It had brackets for a blue ox hitch on in. I might have missed it but should have been discussed. He often does reviews of Flagstaffs and others that will have heavier TW and he specifically used trailers that lend themselves to have light TW, most even had hand crank jacks. I was a fan of his channel at the beginning, but have shied away from it due to content like this. It’s sad. So much potential.

[@Mjwest23]

How did you calculate loading 200-500lbs of cargo to get 1000+lbs tongue weight with the first trailer? If the % stays the same (I know where the cargo is can change tongue weight slightly) 700/6025=11.6%, wouldn't 6225-6525 * 11.6% be ~723-758lbs? Only asking because I'm really intrigued by that tongue weight tool and learning what travel trailer I can upgrade to! Awesome vid, exactly what I was looking for!

[@spankroy]

Single axle trailers generally will have higher tongue weights vs if the same trailer had dual axles.

[@seana7036]

I thought the Passports had the spaced out axles to help distribute weight through the frame. The way it was explained to me was the higher the tongue was lifted the more weight shifts to the axles. Wouldn't it stand to reason that on any trailer if you have the tongue below the axles then more weight would be on the tongue? Looked like the measuring device was pretty low and the trailers had a slight bow down. I could be talking complete non-sense as well. Any idea on this?

[@elementalblaze79]

1st, not sure if someone else has already said this already but, that trailer hitch weight will vary depending on where that weight(in cargo) you put it at! Meaning if you put most of the weight behind the trailers axles then it might actually lift(or lighten) the weight on the trailer hitch & as the same as if it's put in front of the trailer axles, it will add more weight to it! But don't confuse thinking that you can cheat by loading up an underrated truck(or whatever you're using to pull it with) by loading everything into the back of the trailer(vs evenly thoughout) that will just make pulling the trailer more dangerous, causing the rear end of the tow vehicle to lift & lose rear end traction which could lead into you losing control!

[@williamquestmagic]

Excellent, educational video on tongue weight differences J.D. Well needed, bill in Florida

[@brucelee64485]

This is great information JD! Especially since when you consider that most of the RV's you see have front storage units, and such to know tongue weight as well as the total loaded weight is critical stuff. I think that we would all be amazed how much stuff that we can load up into one of these trailers, and how easy it would be to go over not only the hitch weight but the overall weights of these as well. Also keep in mind that the average 1/2 ton truck only comes factory set up with a 5-6 thousand pound hitch rated for only 5-600 pounds hitch weight. Really easy to go over those numbers even with the dry weight, let alone the loaded up weight. It would be really neat if some of the local campers that you run into at the campgrounds that you go to would allow you to do the same with their loaded up rigs as well.

[@GeorgeOu]

Is it possible that the tanks behind the axle and if you fill it up with 50 gallons of water or 400 lbs, then the tongue weight goes down 100 lbs?

[@meadowviewlawncarellc8079]

If the scale was up higher and the trailers were level would be less tongue weight right?

[@WilliamFisher1]

Yes of course.

[@jamesbeaman6337]

I don’t think it will make any difference.

[@foxrace0985]

That single axle trailer seems like the axle is farther behind the center of the camper than it should be. I would think you would only get that small of a camper if you only had a vehicle that could only pull 4 to 5 k pounds, and then I would think it would struggle with the TW. Maybe being a single axle it needs to be farther back to prevent trailer sway.

[@fritty9927]

I use the 10 to 15% rule and it’s usually pretty close.

[@denrizza]

Dang right! Tongue weight can DEFINITELY determine whether you can actually tow something.

[@pbpd4816]

If you add 500 lbs of cargo, why would all of that cargo weight be added to the tongue weight? Wouldn't it depend on where you put the cargo in the trailer as to what % of that 500 lbs would transfer to the tongue weight?

[@daddybairb3256]

Except for the 2nd one I was less than 50lbs but the scale needs to be raised so the trailer is level like it would be with the tow rig.

[@landonwilcox1837]

Are the propane tanks full? 30# tanks are 70lbs each plus the battery and a hitch.

[@BTBRVReviews]

Nope, empty

[@landonwilcox1837]

@@BTBRVReviews I saw some were missing also. I battled this issue a lot with an Open Range 310BHS. HR quotes it as being ~1200 dry TW but in my experience I consistently saw 16-1850 TW numbers with both a sherline scale and at the CAT scales.

[@landonwilcox1837]

Initially was pulling it with a ‘16 F150 EB max tow and was fine on CGVWR at 17,5k but I was always 3-500lbs over the rear axle max weight rating. So that truck lasted 7 months and went back for a F350.

[@Bradamsmx5]

Love the idea. I’m thinking for the next units, a floor jack underneath the scale. Level the unit with the tongue jack then use the floor jack to raise the scale into the coupler barely raising the tongue jack off the ground. May get a little more accurate measurement. And it would be much easier to compensate for varying height of the tongues.

[@kevinvanlohuizen2709]

Great video, like the truck payload video you did.

[@stevenstair1068]

I bought one last year, works great

[@mmoser4660]

Hi, thanks so much for this! New by here, hitch weight on my truck is 600lbs. The RV I want empty says 479 dry hitch weight. Will it be too heavy full? We were considering using Lithium batteries and 1 propane tank up in pick up bed front?

[@rogeeeferrari]

My guesses were very close, got the last one on the money. Don't the trailers have the tongue weight listed somewhere ? Would love to see how accurate they are. Saw another video where a guy's Lance with a 550 lb listed tongue weight was actually 900 lbs, probably due to his cargo but still. Interesting video...

[@craigwilliams1073]

Absolutely Outstanding Information!!!! Thank you so much!!!

[@johnmahoney9048]

How did it compare to the published values.

[@BufordEdits]

A lot of new half ton trucks are rated to tow 12k. I'm not sure what they can handle for tongue weight.

[@vguzm001]

I am looking to get a 2022 tundra platinum which I am estimating will only give me 1400 payload. Are there any brands and models that you can recommend for me to maximize the size of the trailer while not adding a lot on tongue weight?

[@davidmilhouscarter8198]

Does fresh water count toward the cargo capacity?

[@jasonmelby6221]

I am curious what this experiment would return if measuring the TW with full freshwater tanks. I would expect the weight of the water and placement of the tanks to have a major impact and could significantly skew the results measured in a purely dry weight comparison.

[@LukeEdward]

Spec-freaking-tacular content!

[@frankhartman5496]

So you are telling me that if I put 1k pounds of stuff in my camper, I am adding 1k pounds to the tongue weight? This doesn't make sense at all. Why would 100% of the weight in my extra cargo be added all to the tongue? I've never heard anyone explain it like this.

[@BTBRVReviews]

Lol, no, I clarify this so many times.

[@frankhartman5496]

I just get very confused by what you said between the 3 minute and 55 seconds and 4 minutes and 15 seconds mark. I guess I don't understand why adding 200 tol 400 pounds of cargo would make the tongue weight jump from 700 to 1100 pounds

[@adrianlucero2880]

Great video. Always nice to see the real numbers!

[@hg2.]

Do weight distribution hitches increase tongue wright ( more than the weight of the hitch)?

[@jerrytaggart7615]

The tongue weight on that single axle surprised me a little. So 300 tongue empty, looked like forward kitchen? 20 gal fresh water -140 pounds, 30 lb propane tank -55 pounds, battery 60 pounds, so before anything else, 550 pound tongue weight on a 3k trailer? I specifically bought a long wheel base 1/2 ton with the highest payload I could find (1790) with hopes of a decent size trailer.

[@donsvideos1985]

Those tongues can gain lots of weight when you add batteries and full propane tanks not to mention what all gets put in the cargo storage. I would bet 200 extra pounds on the tongue is a low guess. 50 lbs in propane and 30 lbs per battery conservatively just to get started.

[@kencraig6526]

I think toyhaulers difference in lights are frame construction, most ultra lights have holes cut in the frame rails. Not what I would call preferable in a toyhauler, maybe investigate that one of these times, even though I'm not in the market anymore its why I upgraded to my stealth

[@jlokanis]

I am curious why you add the entire cargo weight to the tongue weight? Wouldn't at least some of that weight get transferred to the axles?

[@larryswitzer2602]

If the trl isn't sitting level does that change the weight? I see a lot of rangers and Colorados that the front of the trl is about a foot lower than back.

[@hg2.]

Min 0:50 Thanks for making these videos, but we need a closer shot of the Sticker and a hold some we can actually read it.

[@jshapiro34]

I don’t get this at all because so many KZbin videos they complain about hitch weight Hitch weights, correct if trailer isn’t hooked up and level if trailer is nose pitched truck will severely be over on drives If trailer is rear pitched steers would be heavy So my question is yes leveled but here’s the real question Do you hook a trailer up and hope it’s level with weight distribution hitch? Or do you hook trailer up then after squat unhook raise hitch and now ur level and then install weight distribution hitch?

[@DanielKE7UUM]

Were the trailers level when you were showing the tongue weight?

[@joe1071]

He says no

[@dv7431]

I am not sure how you come up with the added weight to the tongue. But my trailer loaded is 8500 ibs and my tounge weight is 850 by the same gauge your using

[@kevintaylor9249]

Not sure how to contact you other than this... Do you know of a way to "rent" or better yet "borrow" a tongue weight scale? I don't need to own one nor can I afford one to use once or twice. I just purchased a toy hauler that has a large tongue weight without a "toy" in it. It is designed with all the weight in front of the axle until you load it. I really want to see what it does when loaded. I believe it's going to "balance" some of that tongue load off the tongue. I would love to check all this out. Thoughts and/or suggestions?

[@proceedingonwardinamerica]

Can you do fifth wheels?

[@ECEV]

Looks like the tongues of these trailers are too low. You should weigh them level.

[@matthewsteiner6505]

I was thinking the same

[@iglapsu88]

I guessed 700 Lbs for the Viking. Right on the money!

[@kreitz44]

Quick question I know it’s not for this video but if I have a 2500 ram with a 2157 payload capacity how do I know how heavy of a 5th wheel can tow if at all? How how do you figure out the pin weight on a fifth wheel is it 20% of the dry weight or 20% of gvwr?

[@e.l.9589]

Start by putting your vin into the RAM website, that will give you the numbers for your specific truck. My 2017 2500 6.4 CC, has a capacity of 3501, and 13501 towing. My 5500 has capacity of over 11,000 and towing of anything I want.

[@tgh117]

That passport model has the axles pretty far back, similar to my rockwood does, so that 900lb tonque weight was less then I thought, as mine is actually 975lbs with a similar GWVR. Great video as always, goes to show you there is always more to take into consideration then just the layout.

[@coreyst-onge5687]

Love the information, but with a proper weight distribution hitch you are changing how the load is placed and I think the axle capacity is more of a critical factor then tongue weight and payload however both should be considered, the only true way to know if you have a good set up is to weight the rig as you would be using it to see if you are within your numbers for payload both truck and trailer, axle capacity and gross vehicle weight.

[@Kyle-ut4jg]

Maintaining a minimum of 10 percent tongue weight is still extremely important when you are using a weight distribution hitch.

[@garettpatria]

how thick is that c-channel on those A-frames tongues?

[@BTBRVReviews]

Generally 3/16th inch

[@larryg7989]

Do you have a recommendation for max tongue weight and overall weight for 1/2, 3/4 and one ton (SRW & DRW) trucks. I bought a 2019 Cougar 32 RLI Half Ton Series trailer. It's dry tongue weight was something like 1160 lbs. After three hitches and a new F250 I finally traded it for a 30RLS fifth wheel. Keystone's new Arcadia line is designed around a 3/4 ton truck but my guess is that for most of them you'll need a one ton.

[@davidwillard8908]

Interesting video. But it would have been more interesting to me to know the length from the tongue to the first axle. And how that length (or how much of the total length was in front of the first axle) how those numbers relate to the percentage of dry weight is on the tongue.

[@rogern5368]

The slides were out on some trailers ! Would it effect the test if you had the slides stowed to travel vs. out like in this test ? Is the scale adjustable to have the trailers more level for testing ? Thanks

[@NewVisionLCS]

Anyone looking at buying a travel trailer definitely needs to take this tongue weight scale with them shopping!!

[@windrider65]

The last one, I looked at one just like it. I went with the 29' bunkhouse because the other would have been at the max of my 3/4 ton Van. Loaded mine is 825 LBS, I always want to be under my GVWR for safety.

[@アメリカ田舎生活]

I tested on my 37ft TT with 3 slide outs. In my case, 12 % of actual weight of my TT was transferred to the tongue.

[@CDP135Z]

It would seem like that used one with a higher tongue weight would probably have full propane tanks and probably a battery in that battery box. Maybe that’s adding the extra 200 pounds? Seems like it being used, it might not be in the new from the factory dry condition.

[@stevesiever6635]

JD Nice video! We have a 2020 F250 6.7 and want to upgrade to a 5th wheel just about every dealer says “no problem that beast will tow any of these” I know its BS! We have a giant 36’ Roockwood Signature 2017 7071 lbs empty with a 900 lb tung weight. Please do a video explaining what, when owning a 3/4 ton whats a safe number we should be looking for or better yet staying away from when shopping for a new 5th wheel because dealers only want your money!

[@pepman2230]

It depends on a lot of factors like wheel base, trim package, and axle. Ford publishes a towing guide that will give the specs. That engine will tow anything, yes, but Ford has the max trailer weight between 15,000 lbs and 20,000 pounds. Make sure you look at pin weight as well to not overload the rear axle. The most accurate rear axle max will be on your drivers side door sticker.

[@Kyle-ut4jg]

Your payload capacity should be over 4000 pounds so it would have absolutely no problem with 900 pounds from a 5th wheel.

[@codeman99-dev]

My guesses. 1. 625 2. 575 3. 250 4. 850 Hey hey, I didn't do too bad. Far more educated guesses than your truck payload capacity videos. :)

[@getnautical9579]

Im confused. I was using a vin decoder to look up specs for towing on several videos and when you do under towing it shows all sorts of numbers not just max and min. Anyone have an idea on hoe to decifer

[@CT-qw6ud]

This is fun! You should find a way to do this with 5th wheels!

[@ChaosChief426]

You think you could do a few reviews on those Viking trailers?

[@Pilot545]

JD, I think you already know this, but the cargo you load into the unit doesn’t transfer 100% of the weight to the hitch. It changes significantly depending on how far the moment is from the axles. You don’t get 100% transfer until you are directly over the hitch. Anyway, really interesting vid but good to know the mfr numbers are roughly equal to the 10% rule of thumb we’ve all learned.

[@BTBRVReviews]

Currect, I was speaking in generalities in regards to the actual weight that transfers to the hitch I'd the truck. I understand that the axles of the trailer will take some of the load as well.

[@tommysgreatoutdoors]

I agree with other comments here. They way you calculate the simulated cargo capacity is not correct. If a dry trailer is 5,000lbs at 10% should be a ~500lbs tongue weight, simple enough. If 2,000lbs of cargo is added (evenly distributed and properly) the tow weight is now 7,000lbs and therefore the tongue weight is ~700lbs. This of course changes if cargo is no distributed evenly to the front or rear.

[@benbarker8145]

Nice my 2017 hideout says 890 dry for touge weight im probably closer to 1100 with everything in the front and bike rack over the tanks

[@joemikeska2657]

Your simplistic explanation of this could get someone killed. As many have already mentioned, your scale doesn’t work if the trailer isn’t level. Also, particularly on the second trailer, the reason the tongue weight is under 10% is the water tanks are likely just fore of the wheels. And your “recommendations” for 1/2 ton truck towing are horrible as well. Remind me not to watch any more of your RV video.

[@SHADOW848DUCATI]

It would be great if dealerships had that scale and showed you the amount before they hitched to your vehicle. It would be nice to know when purchasing a new trailer.

[@jerrymartens7253]

You should make a video of the tongue weight vs how much weight it puts on the rear axle of the pickup

[@codeman99-dev]

That's something that is very specific. What truck do you have? What trailer do you have? What hitch do you have? What suspension do you have? /watch?v=XBZu39pQ8Gg

[@jerrymartens7253]

99codemister I guess it would depend a lot on the hitch and the pickup I hadn’t even thought of that. I just think he should make a video to inform people that the tongue weight of the trailer is not actually the amount that goes on the rear axle of the pickup because the hitch is so far back of the axle there’s a lot of leverage there

[@Davidipac]

I'm surprised you didn't emphasize the importance of tongue weight on the towability of the truck.

[@herb7877]

My trailer (rear living) weighs ~6200 dry so I was within 25#'s on the 1st. But add two propane tanks + 2 batteries and my bet is most people add 800-1000#'s of stuff and your tongue weight goes up to 1000-1200 #'s. Mine started out at 650# dry(per factory) but after loading it is now ~1100# w/o water ! I'm not sure how accurate the factory was? I thought #2 would weigh more. #4 was heavier than I thought.

[@martinbarajas1055]

Big eye opener to be honest

[@grey_fox7]

Curious, how accurate is that scale?

[@agratefulsoul2816]

Great video and really helpful comments.