How to Build a DIY Travel Trailer // Tongue Weight: Why It's Important, How to Measure and Change It

[@harpjason208]

Excellent topic and breakdown. This should be a DOT " how to" vid. Not nearly enough who tow on the rare occasion know how important this info is.

[@DrenalinAdventures]

thanks

[@dandydenni1615]

I’m glad you shared that info about an inexpensive tounge scale. Cool!

[@dwrivers47]

Princess Auto does have everything you could imagine, don’t they!

[@DrenalinAdventures]

Yes they do

[@Stubear22374]

You raise a very good point here that’s seems to be an issue that pops up in most countries, great video and very informative

[@DrenalinAdventures]

Thank you

[@thizizliz]

So much research is paying off in a safe, secure yet comfy camper that is very likely to outlast a factory made one by a long, long time.And you can leave it packed, pretty much ready to go after packing perishables. It's really fun to watch Eddie evolve from rubbish to a high end overland. Most impressive.

[@davidmaslanka3145]

You forgot to raise the rear scissor jacks, giving a false reading as you added weight behind the axel,

[@alanosborne1947]

Excellent tutorial and demonstration of adding weight to the rear and how it affects the tongue. Many people not familiar with towing a trailer understand or even think of these things.

[@DrenalinAdventures]

thanks

[@CanadianSledDog]

I live in a 2021 Winnebago Micro Minnie 1700bh which is a single axle off road travel trailer. The way we have the rear bumper loaded with fuel, a bike, shovel, roadside triangles, and the food inside behind the wheel wells, I can only do 80km/hr before it begins to sway. I don't know the exact tongue weight but it's light by design. My tow vehicle is a lifted 4runner ideal for rough roads and snow, but the rear suspension squats easily, which of course is a problem when driving very rough roads. I could just use stronger coil springs to allow more tongue weight but any stiffer suspension comes at the cost of increased vibration and damage to the RV, not to mention the toll getting 4x4 groceries takes on the spinach! I could probably use sway bars on the highway but I find myself constantly turning around in tight spots so it would just be too much bungling. So at the end of the day, I just do 80.

[@BraxxJuventa]

Thanks for the tips Scott. 👍😁

[@DrenalinAdventures]

No problem 👍

[@ecttreker9816]

Very informative.Thanks 👍👍

[@danm1841]

Great video! As you were starting your kitchen build I was wondering about weight and balance. Questions answered! Thanks! Excited to be along for the journey!

[@DrenalinAdventures]

Thanks 👍

[@proxywebs]

Looking forward to part two to see where things ended up

[@DrenalinAdventures]

Thanks 👍

[@joergklamke]

Hello, so far very great video of the construction of the caravan. When will the interior work continue? I'm really curious how the shower will be inside? Do you tile the shower stall ? Keep it up, I'm really excited to see how it goes. LG Jörg from Germany.

[@pilotleader]

Really informative video (and a great series). - One thing - there are “anti-sway bars” that you can install on a hitch that further reduce the chances of a trailer swaying out of control (there are several manufacturers).

[@DrenalinAdventures]

Thanks.

[@eh42]

Tongue weight is one of the main reasons for my analysis paralysis in seriously trying a DIY travel trailer.

[@richardburguillos3118]

Great educational video. Only observation was that you should remove the battery from the ebike as it’s heavy and removing it lightens the load on the bike rack. Also prevents theft of battery and exposure to extreme weather, be it heat or rain. Also check ebike manufacture as to waterproof rating of ebike motor, controller, and display or handle bar electronics. Awesome learning experience. Thanks for sharing the build.

[@PatrickDickey52761]

I think he put the e-bike on only to get a lot of weight on the back. He said he wouldn't take it on that rack because the rack is designed for mountain bikes only. If I understood him correctly.

[@richardburguillos3118]

@@PatrickDickey52761 understood, but you should still remove the battery if you can. It minimizes the weight on the rack and the temptation for someone to want to steal it. The bike may be locked to the rack and car but it’s difficult to protect the batteries on some bikes from being taken even if the person doesn’t care if it’s in one piece because they want the batteries inside of it to build their own. Also, I most ebike displays the batteries and the controllers for the motor and even the motors are not rated as waterproof. They are rated as water resistant but should not be left out in pouring rain or washed with a hose for long periods of time.

[@maku8313]

Interesting and useful video.👍🇫🇮

[@DrenalinAdventures]

Glad you liked it

[@johnmuncy4872]

Very nice

[@PatrickDickey52761]

I didn't catch if you said there's a recommended percentage for tongue weight. You mentioned at the 11:00 mark that fully loaded, your tongue weight would be 10%. Do you know what the recommended percentage is?

[@stevenharms5368]

Beginning of a trip, full tanks and supplies. End of an adventure, empty tanks and supplies. Does this modify load plans?

[@DrenalinAdventures]

It’s a factor for sure. Still a work in progress

[@walterriebe1823]

You have the rear jacks down