Must lighten rear axle: Tongue Wt vs Weight Distribution Hitch

[mikec557]

Must lighten rear axle: Tongue Wt vs Weight Distribution Hitch

Hi everyone
I think (know) I am too close to/over the weight limit of our truck. However, there are so many ways of looking at this that I am not sure what to think. What I would like to do is give you the weight readings I have and the stats from the vehicle labels and get your feedback. I used a closed weigh station (truck stop) in Oregon to get the weights. In fact, I initially used two different closed weigh stations to see if they would read the same. They did. I should also say they weigh in 50lb increments.

Tow vehicle is 2017 Chev Silverado 1500 LT double cab (not crew cab),
5.3 v8, 3.42 rear diff which has max towing of 9,400lbs
GVRW 7000
GAWR/F 3850
GAWR/R 3950
GCWR 15,000

2017 Keystone half-ton 24RBSWE
The trailer is not near me as I type this but my recollection is that it has a dry weight of 5900lbs and that cargo should not exceed 1400lbs.

The only weigh-in I have on the trailer is loaded with our daily living, two batteries, half a load on 60lbs of propane, empty tanks, and connected to the truck with the equal-i-zer weight distribution hitch: the trailer weighed in at 6550lbs. (both it's axles on the scale)


But, at the time of this weigh-in the front axle was 3100 and the rear axle was 4700. Yes the rear was really over loaded, but at the time I had no idea. Now my goal is to prevent that in the future…

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Truck, myself, wife, dog, 3/4 tank of gas, truck bed full of stuff, and Equil-i-zer weight distribution and anti-sway hitch in the receiver is f:3300 r:3200

Empty bed and without hitch in receiver is f:3350 r:2600

For the record, I can't believe that the stuff in the bed (and with the hitch hanging on the back) could weigh 600lb, but that's what I wrote down and I have to believe it's true. To be sure, I can and will jettison some stuff out of the truck bed, but only in the neighborhood of about 200 lbs. (and what's left can't weigh 400lbs)

I don't have a tongue weight yet, but I question the need for it. Doesn't the use of a weight distribution hitch change the thinking about adding "tongue weight" to rear axle load? Isn't it true that what I have to correct is (while connected) the front and rear axles do not exceed their GVWR, and that I don't exceed the GCVWR? And of course not exceed the trailer's cargo weight limit, but we are well within that.

Maybe I'm standing too close to the trees to see the forest. What are your thoughts? What is important in all this data, and what isn't? Is it possible to adjust the weight distribution hitch to shift some of the weight of the trailer further forward so its a little less on the rear axle and more on the front axle?

Thanks in advance for all input.

[Northofu1]

I am no expert by any means. Your weight falls under the GCVWR. you basically have the same tow vehicle as me and the weight of your trailer is very close to mine.. My trailer tows with ease. Did your TV come with the trailering package?.

[notanlines]

Deleted ...misunderstood the post.

[sourdough]

I didn't see one of the important weight limits: the payload of the truck.

By your numbers it looks as if the truck alone weighs 5950 (front/rear axle weights empty). Your gvw is 7000 lbs. so that would leave you 1050 for payload.

GVW of the trailer is 7300 lbs. x .13 for tongue weight and you've got 949 lbs. That leaves 101 lbs. for people (unless people were in the truck when you got 5950 which I would guess at that weight), hitch (you said it wasn't on the truck when weighed), gear etc. The hitch is not meant to "increase" your payload. Your axle weights hooked up were 3100 and 4700 = 7800: 800 lbs. over the gvw of the truck. 4700 on the rear is 750 over your rear gawr.

At weigh in your axles were 3300/3200 with no trailer = 6500 lbs. That leaves you with 500 lbs. for the tongue weight of your trailer before exceeding your gvw. That tells you right there that the bed of the truck needs to be empty. The trailer tongue will weigh almost double that when fully loaded - no matter how you set the WDH. If you're asking if you can't just exceed the gvw/payload etc. and look only at gawr/gcvwr that answer is, or should be, no. The gawr ratings are mandatorily just a bit higher than the gvw to give you a safety cushion and a bit of leeway on loading. However you load, the gvw cannot be exceeded.

At 14,350 you are very close to your gcvwr - closer than I would want to be in a 1/2 ton.

It looks like you are simply overloaded at this point. That is the weakness of a 1/2 ton truck. With a trailer of any size you can't put much in the bed of a 1/2 ton truck much less "a truck bed full of stuff". And yes, all that "stuff" adds up faster than you think and it never looks like you have that much. You could, and will have to, remove most or all of it and see where you are to get somewhere close to your weight limitations.

A lot of stuff to say from where I sit you need to remove a lot of stuff, buy a bigger truck or a smaller trailer. BTW, which equalizer do you have (10k etc.)? This is the reason I don't have a 1/2 ton truck any longer. I hated not being able to take anything with us.
__________________

[mikec557]

Originally Posted by sourdough

... from where I sit you need to remove a lot of stuff, buy a bigger truck or a smaller trailer. BTW, which equalizer do you have (10k etc.)? This is the reason I don't have a 1/2 ton truck any longer. I hated not being able to take anything with us.
__________________

SD

I think you've hit the nail on the head about 1/2 ton truck being insufficient. Can't go smaller on the trailer. As it is we've talked about getting a 5th wheel in a couple years. It would probably make more sense to get a bigger truck. We bought the truck new 10/2017 for $35k including tax. We'll have to try to figure out what's best to do. Sell now or sell later.

BTW it's the 10k-lbs equalizer. Love the hitch and the anti-sway it provides.

Thanks to everyone for your input.

[sourdough]

Trading new vehicles can be painful. I've done it to the tune of 40 or so. But, I always want a newer, in warranty, body style....interior...engine....tranny, etc. etc. I've slowed down a lot in my later years but.....sometimes you have to do it if you can..or want to.

You stated that you will not go smaller than the trailer you mentioned and that you plan on going bigger in a couple of years. Think forward...hard. What is it that you envision having in a couple of years....5 years....end game? Buy the truck for THAT. Don't do as I, and so many others have, keep buying trucks incrementally to fit the next new trailer. Good luck to you in truck selection; I went through 3 new trucks in 3 years to get where I am....and I'm still thinking about bigger and more in the next year or so. In the end, the trailer is too much for your truck IMO so you want to do something if for no other reason than the safety of your family.

[mikec557]

Notanlines, Sorry about that. Those two figures you quoted are the truck's front and rear axle. With regard to the trailer's two axles, I put both on the scale at once.

[mikec557]

Originally Posted by Northofu1

I am no expert by any means. Your weight falls under the GCVWR. you basically have the same tow vehicle as me and the weight of your trailer is very close to mine.. My trailer tows with ease. Did your TV come with the trailering package?.

Agreed, I am under the combined weight, but I'm way over on the rear axle load...

Not a combined purchase. We bought the truck while looking for the right trailer. I concentrated on getting the better than stock rear gear ratio and thus the higher weight pulling capability... But wasn't wise enough to consider the load I wanted to put on the back axle.

[Northofu1]

Ok, I have a question now on the same topic. Looking at my set up, would it be that my rig is too small for the trailer?
I ask because I did not have a problem towing it for the 15 hours I have had it hooked up.

[mikec557]

Dear North

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but how it pulls is not the right yardstick. My 5.3 with the 3.42 rear diff ratio pulls great. Do the math and let that be your guide...

Mike

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by Northofu1

Ok, I have a question now on the same topic. Looking at my set up, would it be that my rig is too small for the trailer?
I ask because I did not have a problem towing it for the 15 hours I have had it hooked up.

What are the specs for your truck? Have you had it weighed with the trailer? If not, you would need the gvw, gawr (f/r), gcvwr and payload for your truck. All found on the placards inside the driver door. But just a quick glance at the specs of the trailer (7500 gvw) I would say you probably are over your truck's limits. And as was pointed out; how it "pulls" really has nothing to do with towing safely and within your weight limits.

[AbHDToyHauler]

I would go for the 3500 right away. I did the same as you. Had a 1 1/2 year old 1500 that I loved but then we wanted an RV. Hummed and hawed and read everything on these RV sites about towing and loads and weights and finally bought brand new 3500 Gmc diesel. Truck rides as good as my old one. Has same options and the new Duramax 6.6 diesel. Then we found the trailer. Tows fantastic and kicks old trucks butt as far as gas mileage when not towing too. Also price was very good at time so hardly hurt at all. LOL

[travelin texans]

https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/201...-renew-listing
Sell your slightly used truck & rv & find something like this!
We've been in your shoes as have a lot of others, but after 10 years of fulltiming this was absolutely our best setup.
Hope you enjoy fulltiming as much as we have, but we have decided to settle down.

[Ken / Claudia]

Northofu1, about all I can add is trucks are made to haul, pull xx weights by each trucks designs. You know that, I am sure.
By ignoring your trucks weight design you are tempting fate. You may get by without blowing a tranny, breaking a axle, overheating the engine, blowing a tire, etc. You may never want or wish for the use of a proper tow vehicle until that OH, Sxxx monment happens, you may never get a overload cite.
Your experience on a trip a doing good may not be the best test. I think about wind, side wind and not getting pushed into the other lane, driving on wet roads, up and down 6% grades, heavy traffic, panic stops or panic lane changes. Keeping up with the flow of traffic. Using the A/C without overheating.

A truck made to do what your asking it to do will always be safer.
Blink your eyes, SXXX hapens about that fast. And you will be in it, trying to not crash. Another point, lets say your a thousand lbs over everytime you tow. Ask your insurance agent if he knew that, will say that's OK with him.

Many people tow overloaded, I fully understand that. I have and learned better. There are way to many good trucks on the market that can do the job, why have one that seems to be OK but, really is not.
Take your combination over a scale and see were your true weights are.

[Northofu1]

Thank you Ken/Claudia.
I hear ya and appreciate the insight. I bought my truck and trailer according to what was a compatible combination. I am way under on the payload, I am at around 80% of tow capacity of GVWR of trailer. I am no where near the GVWR of that. I run all fresh/black/grey tanks empty, I have added 250 to trailer at tops. I am running 65% of actual tow capacity. I do all shopping as close to camp sites as possible. Nothing in the box of truck and clothes in cab. Its a couples trailer (My idea of one anyway) and it's just the two of us. That was my thought process of purchasing the combo. I have a trip out east in September for two weeks which will be the big test as to what I want to do with this trailer, either keep it or go a bit smaller, like the 22rbpr. If I had the $$$$ to buy a 2500 I would gladly have bought one. Mind you, it won't fit in the underground
Thanks again

[Northofu1]

Well I guess if I'm wrong you will see me on youtube's epic RV fails.

[Javi]

Originally Posted by Northofu1

Well I guess if I'm wrong you will see me on youtube's epic RV fails.

Here's how this works.... If you are wrong the best case scenario is... you scare the crap out of yourself and anyone in close proximity to you.. Worse case, you maim or kill yourself and maybe others...


If we're wrong, you get to tell us.... I told you so...


Think I'll stick to being us..

[Northofu1]

Hey sour,
I am pretty sure my truck can handle it. One of my trips was through driving rain. I drive on ice for a living. It took me a year to figure out what truck I wanted and what I could tow and took me a year and a half figuring out floorplans, weights, reviews, prices etc.
I ultimately figured out that I could keep chasing my tail trying to keep up with bigger is better for a long time. When I figured out all the numbers it came down to I could pull the weight of my trailer safely. Taking my time on the road and making sure I had good tires, brakes, suspension. My uncle spent his career as a GMC mechanic, and is my mechanic. I installed a really good hard wired rear view cam on my trailer and can see everything behind me. I have always been confident in my choices because I ponder them, sometimes too long. As I have said in this forum previously you can spend alot of money on all the latest and the greatest equipment money can buy, and that's great if folks have that kind of money to throw around, I don't.

I am unsure what the axle weights are. GCVWR is 15 K, Payload is 2080 lbs towing is 9200lbs, my TT and TV are level when connected.

Thanks for your help

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by Northofu1

Hey sour,
I am pretty sure my truck can handle it. One of my trips was through driving rain. I drive on ice for a living. It took me a year to figure out what truck I wanted and what I could tow and took me a year and a half figuring out floorplans, weights, reviews, prices etc.
I ultimately figured out that I could keep chasing my tail trying to keep up with bigger is better for a long time. When I figured out all the numbers it came down to I could pull the weight of my trailer safely. Taking my time on the road and making sure I had good tires, brakes, suspension. My uncle spent his career as a GMC mechanic, and is my mechanic. I installed a really good hard wired rear view cam on my trailer and can see everything behind me. I have always been confident in my choices because I ponder them, sometimes too long. As I have said in this forum previously you can spend alot of money on all the latest and the greatest equipment money can buy, and that's great if folks have that kind of money to throw around, I don't.

I am unsure what the axle weights are. GCVWR is 15 K, Payload is 2080 lbs towing is 9200lbs, my TT and TV are level when connected.

Thanks for your help

I responded to your initial inquiry because you sounded unsure of your setup, then, made a 2nd post as if no one responded so if you were wrong you were going to end up on a youtube video as one of those epic fails.

I responded to your question with zero information about anything other than what was in your post but wanted to give you some sort of feedback. If you were so confident of your truck/trailer combination, your expertise and your uncle mechanic why did you post in the first place? Tongue in cheek or ??? It's somewhat irritating for someone to post things like that and not mean it. If you think you have a problem, I/we worry about that and try to help. If you post things to just jerk folks' string it is inappropriate IMO.

And, it still sounds to me like you are only concerned about "pulling" ability, not "towing" ability. You know the payload, gcvwr and max tow numbers; not much for a year and a half of research. If you're happy, and think you've got it covered, you have no need of my thoughts or anyone else's - and I assume that was the situation before the post.

[Northofu1]

LOL Javi, not an I told you so kinda guy. I am pretty sure I will be ok