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Old 01-14-2017, 02:55 PM   #1
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Interesting weight deference

I have a Outback 286FK (forward kitchen). I happened to look up the specs online and the factory dry tongue weight is 1165 lbs. My 1000 lb. WDH may be a little taxed. In a scramble I decided to run out and weight it. At this point with the FK the only things missing weight wise is whatever I would typically put in the fridge. I was shocked to see that the tongue weight is only 480 lbs.
I think I need to make a trip to the scales!
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Old 01-14-2017, 04:36 PM   #2
sourdough
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What is the gvw (or scale weight) of the trailer? I could not find the specs for your trailer. Figure 12-15% of the gvw for your tongue weight and you will be close. For anything with a "286" listing, with Keystone, I can't imagine a tongue weight loaded except for fridge coming in at 480lbs. How did you weigh it?
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Old 01-14-2017, 05:31 PM   #3
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That is some strange numbers. I am with post #2. We need to know how you came up with your weight. A big help to help you would be to list the trailer's listed dry weight and max gross (loaded wt.)
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Old 01-14-2017, 06:25 PM   #4
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This could be the one he is talking about.

http://www.rvguide.com/specs/keyston...ack/286fk.html
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Old 01-14-2017, 06:38 PM   #5
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I've never seen them list a dry hitch/pin weight. The only reason they publish one is because they must use it to satisfy a NHTSA regulation.

The regulation reads; - in part - The manufacturer's published hitch/pin weight, when added to the total GAWR must equal or exceed GVWR. It's the only hitch/pin weight used unless the dealer adds options that would change it. Then they must provide that information on an amended CCC label.

Once you own the trailer the hitch/pin weight is your responsibility.

Here is the paragraph from the regulation about pin weight.

"On RV trailers, the sum of the GAWRs of all axles on the vehicle plus the vehicle manufacturer's recommended tongue weight must not be less than the GVWR. If tongue weight is specified as a range, the minimum value must be used."
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Old 01-15-2017, 07:10 AM   #6
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I just wanted to comment on your statement of your 1,000 lb WDH being a little taxed. When you say 1,000 lb, is that the hitch weight limits or the rating of the bars? There is a big difference. The bars do not determine hitch weight limits, the bar rating is based on how much weight they have the ability to transfer. The hitch head itself has a weight rating, actually 2 different weight ratings, one with and one without using bars.

For example, my hitch is rated at 600 lb tongue weight and 6,000 trailer weight without the bars. It is rated at 1,400 lb tongue and 14,000 trailer weight with the bars. I have 1,000 lb bars. So as you can see, the weight rating of the bars have nothing to do with the rating of the hitch. Additionally, even though the bars are 1,000 lb bars, it does not mean using them increases the hitch capacity by 1,000 lbs. In fact, even if I stepped up to a heavier bar capable of transferring more weigh, it does not change the 1,400/14,000 lb hitch rating.
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Old 01-15-2017, 07:19 AM   #7
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Post #4 has the specs. The trailers listed dry tongue weight is 1165 lbs. There is a measuring system using a 3 ft. board and pipe that shows 160 lbs. x 3 = 480 lbs. The dry curb weight of the trailer is listed at 6135 lbs. There is approximately 300 lbs. in the rear cargo hold and 100 lbs. over the wheels. Most of the stored weight is in the front dishes, pans, small appliances, propane and batteries. After joining this forum and reading about all the weights I decided to go out and measure the tongue out of curiosity. I was a little surprised. I expected around 800. The hitch head is rated at 10,000 lbs.
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Old 01-15-2017, 07:56 AM   #8
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If your tongue weight is 480lbs. minus what your WDH transfers off the hitch you will have a very unpleasant experience towing at highway speeds. Somewhere there is an error in your calculations. You really need to hit a scale. I think you will find the weight closer to three times what you calculate. JM2˘, Hank
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Old 01-15-2017, 08:15 AM   #9
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I agree, get to the scales!
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Old 01-15-2017, 08:52 AM   #10
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I second (or third) going to a CAT scale and getting "real world weights"....

I'd suggest that when you drive onto the scale platform, be sure the front wheels of the tow vehicle are on pad #1, the rear wheels of the tow vehicle are on pad #2 and both trailer axles are on pad #3. Weigh the vehicle combination with the WD bars in place, then without moving, remove the tension on the WD bars, leaving them in place and reweigh the combination. Then pull off the scale, unhitch and drive the tow vehicle back onto platform #1 and 2 and weigh the tow vehicle.

With those weights and some basic addition/subtraction, you can determine the hitch weight, transferred weight, trailer weight, tow vehicle weight, front axle weight, rear axle weight, and combined weight.

Total cost for the three weights (if done on the same day) will be $15, $11 for the first weight and $2 for each reweigh (11+2+2=15)

In my view that's probably going to be one of the best investments you'll make in your RVing expenditures.
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Old 01-15-2017, 11:57 AM   #11
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Great information, Thanks
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Old 01-15-2017, 07:00 PM   #12
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And if you don't mind a couple extra dollars and there isn't anyone waiting, you can also experiment with your hitch by moving a couple links on the chains to see how much difference it makes. The directions with the WDH will have you measuring front and rear bumper height to determine where the bars should be set. Personally, I've always liked setting the bars to parallel with the trailer frame rails, but that is something you'll have to figure out for your setup.
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Old 01-15-2017, 07:07 PM   #13
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I purchased the Sherline scale so I can check the tongue weight before each trip. If needed, I can redistribute some items to the rear of the trailer.
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Old 01-16-2017, 04:00 AM   #14
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I agree with everything that was said above. Your "There is a measuring system using a 3 ft. board and pipe that shows 160 lbs. x 3 = 480 lbs" is not going to make it. I'll lay a lunch on your tongue weight being in the 1000-1200# range, regardless of where you load your "stuff." The Cat Scale is your friend, and it is sort of a little adventure your first time. You'll enjoy it, believe me.
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Old 01-16-2017, 04:26 PM   #15
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I enjoyed my trip to the scales. (That really sounded weird). Very good AND accurate information. This pic is with my brothers truck.
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Old 01-16-2017, 04:34 PM   #16
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OK I played with the 3 ft. board thing again today. It sort of made since but something wasn't right.
Instead of putting the pipe on the scale vertically, I switched it to horizontal to spread the weight across the scale instead of just in the center. Guess What.....1050 lbs.
Maybe I should start putting the liquor in the back.
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