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

[@BigTruckBigRV]

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

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@rockycadieux4642]

Plus the hitch, and my wife’s clothes 😝

[@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!

[@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

[@spankroy]

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

[@NewVisionLCS]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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?

[@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.

[@paulcarson7404]

I love all your videos, I watch all of them, waiting for the winter to pass. I live in Canada and can’t wait to get into rving for the first time this spring/summer. However it’s my opinion that you couldn’t be more incorrect on this one. You are stating that at a 1:1 ratio, gear added to the trailer is added to the tongue weight. “...if you add 500 lbs of stuff your tongue weight will go from 400 up to 900 lbs...” That is not correct.

[@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

[@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?

[@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.

[@ChaosChief426]

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

[@proceedingonwardinamerica]

Can you do fifth wheels?

[@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. :)

[@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?

[@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

[@machfive916]

My uneducated guess for the 1st trailer was 903 pounds, figuring for an approximate weight transfer of 15%. My guess was way off for the 2nd trailer as well. Maybe I'll buy that scale once I get my 1st travel trailer so as to have a good first towing experience.

[@rdiehl7809]

Thought it would have been heavier. Thought the one axle would be heavier.

[@apolloorosco6852]

axle being at the rear propably makes a diference with the weight on the last one

[@christopherhodson4049]

Cool one, thanks.

[@tonyt4140]

Can you please make another video, but take 200+ lbs of stuff with you and get the weight empty and with 200 lbs in the front storage area. I'm curious what % of the weight in the storage area goes into the tongue weight. Thx.

[@mcclungfarm7965]

I would have thought closer to 10% so 600lbs on the 1st and 500 on 2nd. I also thought I would never buy a rv with a hand crank tongue jack..LOL

[@iglapsu88]

I was way off on the 2nd Viking. Guessed higher.

[@davidleaghty2943]

I nailed the little one with the 300# tongue weight.

[@waschuckiehere7120]

Try using a couple of friends to simulate weight distribution and try again.

[@BigTruckBigRV]

Coming soon :)

[@beerbelly6670]

So basically 1/2 tons are for hauling bikes and don’t tow a travel trailer unless you have a 1 ton.

[@smalltownbill4470]

#1. Right on 2 guessed 500 3 guessed 400 4 700

[@michaellebednik6973]

Always surprises me how little tongue weight there is considering the axles are never in the mid point of the trailer.

[@briankerr5592]

Level the camper to the scale

[@scottvino1141]

Good vid

[@rustyBdTZ]

I was heavy on each one. Just guessing! Having no idea of axle placement blah blah

[@jeradleal2238]

Way off the first one I figured about 2000 lbs

[@iglapsu88]

Guessed low on the 3rd one.

[@dalestephens5176]

10-15% is ideal

[@spencerrodgers]

Here is what I thought First Viking: 250lbs 2nd Viking: 600lbs 3rd Viking: 280lbs Passport: 580lbs

[@codeman99-dev]

Very low guess on that passport!

[@paintham9430]

Most trailers are generally 10% of the gross.

[@trackerofbadboys]

yes, We need licensing and certification because so many trailers are being pulled above their limits. Death waiting to happen. We must have new laws and trainings like for scuba diving certifications or pilots. Lets limit these out laws that pull things that are above the limits. I'm all on board.

[@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.

[@jamescrutchfield9832]

All my guesses where low on every RV

[@p2vvideos741]

This was pointless. The manufacturer's specifications in their product information literature or website tells you the tongue weight. No surprises! GVWR tells you how much weight the axels will take. Nothing more. It's usually a fairly useless number unless you see one where the UVW is close to it. That would mean there isn't much cargo carrying capacity. That said, people often far overestimate the weight of the stuff they will travel with. Also, where you place your stuff will impact the tongue weight.

[@amahana6188]

Why should I care about tongue weight, my truck can tow 12k. (Insert sarcasm).

[@japhethwar]

The thing to take away from this video is you need a bigger tow vehicle than you think you do. Buy a bigger truck people. Most 1500 size vehicles have a 500lb maximum tongue weight hitch. Buy that 350 you've always wanted, 150 is for noobs.

[@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.

[@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.

[@williamrizzo1285]

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

[@BigTruckBigRV]

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]

@@BigTruckBigRV 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.

[@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.

[@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....

[@ECEV]

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

[@matthewsteiner6505]

I was thinking the same

[@donaldblevins5028]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@randywilliams9531]

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

[@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

[@jonandrews6839]

Pointless video. Presenter is clueless. Adding 400lbs anywhere but on top of the ball WILL NOT INCREASE THE TONGUE WEIGHT BY 400LBS. It will be fractionally less depending on placement.

[@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!

[@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.

[@gearjunkie3402]

Your assumption that adding 500 lbs of cargo increases the tongue weight by the same amount is completely wrong. It absolutely depends where that weight is put inside the trailer. If its all put behind the axels it will decrease the tongue weight!.

[@BigTruckBigRV]

Where did I say it would increase by the same amount? I said if you add roughly 500lbs of cargo to the front, you'll see around 300-400lb increase in tongue weight as an example.

[@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.

[@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...

[@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.

[@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

[@guloguloguy]

...."no slides"... ??? What does that term mean?!...

[@JackBuffalo]

You seem to imply that nearly ALL of the loaded gear weight is transferred to the hitch. That's wrong! You need to be level. Account for balance. And acknowledge that most weight is carried on the axles. Good question...poor analysis!

[@BigTruckBigRV]

Please read the top comment.

[@craigwilliams1073]

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

[@LukeEdward]

Spec-freaking-tacular content!

[@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.

[@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.

[@Davidipac]

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

[@fritty9927]

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

[@DanielKE7UUM]

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

[@joe1071]

He says no

[@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.

[@BigTruckBigRV]

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

[@paparentman]

I think you’re very inaccurate when you claim that you put 500 pounds of weight in this trailer and then it makes the tongue weight 500 pounds more. You would have to literally put it on top of the Jack. Plus it wouldn’t be very smart loading up the trailer anyway. A given is 10% of the gross weight of the trailer should be the tongue weight. that’s what I’ve been led to believe. So I would think that it needs to be loaded accordingly. Actually the scale you have would be very helpful for almost anybody to make sure they’re loading their trailer correctly.

[@BigTruckBigRV]

What i said was if you load it up with the typical amount of cargo, around 500lbs up front, you'd likely transfer 300-400 additional pounds to the hitch.

[@canada59worldwide31]

@@BigTruckBigRV why would the transfer ratio change? I think you’d only transfer 30 to 40 lbs

[@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.

[@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.

[@acepilot13]

I didnt expect the numbers to vary so much. I thought they would all hover around 15 percent of the dry weight on the tongue

[@guiguigodro]

So basically NO ONE builds RVs to be around 10% tongue weight?? And poeple wonder why everyone needs a big pickup truck these days.... Europeans build their caravans with roughly 5% of the weight on hitch..... My dad's 4000 lbs 20 feet trailer is fully loaded at 650 lbs of weight on the tongue, and that's with an empty fresh water tank that sits at the front of the trailer..... Ridiculous!

[@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?

[@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.

[@iglapsu88]

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

[@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?

[@TMJ32]

You're vastly overestimating how much weight inside the trailer goes to the hitch. That one trailer has a tongue weight of 400lbs and you said if you put 500lbs of stuff in the trailer you'd end up with a tongue weight of 900-1000lbs and that's not how it works.

[@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.

[@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?

[@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.

[@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?

[@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?

[@johnsims2846]

Adding cargo to the camper doesn't equal all of that weight on the tongue. The only way it would all be on the tongue is if you added it all to the storage in the front of the camper. Also, your nose down on the camper which is pushing more weight to the front.

[@robertjones538]

Watching your videos has made me to realize that my truck basically shouldn't be towing hardly anything! 🤣🙄 (2019 Nissan Titan SV)

[@davidholt7126]

I would take what he and many other RV reviewer and dealerships say about towing with a grain of salt.

[@Bill-vo1wn]

WORD Of caution ⚠️ Right now is not the time to buying a new Rv. My new Grand Design has been a total NIGHTMARE!!!