34TSB Tongue Weight

[Roth2020]

Can anyone provide clarification on the tongue weight of a travel trailer? The dealership sold me a Huskey Centerline weight distribution hitch with bars rated for 800-1200 lbs however the specs of the Cougar 34TSB trailer show a hitch weight of 1150lbs. My question is is that weight the unloaded weight or loaded weight. I know the 60 gallon fresh water tank is up front so if full would that be adding an additional 500lbs to the hitch weight? Plus the weight of our gear loaded into the front compartment along with the propane tanks and battery seems like an extreme amount of hitch weight. The trailer weighs around 8100 unloaded. I just want to make sure I’m safe and not overloading the hitch or my truck’s receiver hitch. I pull it with a 2005 Ram 2500 Cummins.
Thank you.

[jsb5717]

Sounds like you're on the right track in thinking it through. The published hitch weight is dry weight so, yes, you will likely exceed the publised limitations of the hitch once loaded.

[Kylemcmahon1]

My dealer did that to me as well with my outback. Sold me a 1200 tongue weight hitch once loaded could tell it was to much for hitch. Threw it to the side and bought a new hitch for 14,000 lbs and 1400 lbs of tongue weight. Also with 3/4 ton truck. Since all is right and good in the world. Much easier to hook and within hook and rides much better.

[MarkEHansen]

Same with my dealer - installed a hitch based on the dry tongue weight. I've since upgraded the bars on the hitch (Fastway E2) but I'm still pushing it. I too need to think about a different hitch.

[GMcKenzie]

Specs for the trailer have the gross (dry plus carrying) at 10,500 lbs. Depending on load, tongue weight will be 12-15% of that, so 1260 to 1575 lbs. In this case the dry tongue weight is ~13.5% of the dry weight, so you may want to use that percentage for the loaded weight.

Anyway you look at it, 1200 lbs doesn't seem enough.

And (and I know you don't want to hear it) you may not have enough payload in your 2500 Diesel for the trailer. Check the sticker on your doorframe (if it's there, not sure on a 2005) for the trucks payload. You could be close to your limit with the tongue weight, hitch weight, kids and some gear.

[DocP]

I've got the 2019 Cougar 34TSB and went with the 1400 pound Equalizer setup. It handles very well with the truck/hitch setup. My Silverado 2500HD payload (from the door sticker) is 2,786 pounds.

[sourdough]

IMO you need the 1400 lb. setup. My trailer gvw is 500 less than yours and that's what I have and it works well. Here's a link with the specs on your trailer if you don't have them:

https://www.keystonerv.com/travel-trailers/cougar-half-ton/floorplans/34tsb-travel-trailer/

[yesiamapirate]

I had the exact same experience. Had a system rated to 1000 with a dry hitch of 975.
It was sold and installed by my dealer. We took it back, explained the situation and they corrected it. I did pay the difference. I am so thankful for this forum. I will have never known.

[Roth2020]

Thank you everyone. I contacted the dealer and they are sending out 1400lb bars to replace my current weight distribution bars.

[Ken / Claudia]

Good to hear they stepped up and did the right thing.