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05-02-2019, 05:04 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Bloomsdale
Posts: 3
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34TSB Tongue Weight
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.
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05-02-2019, 05:14 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Milwaukie, OR
Posts: 1,398
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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.
__________________
Jeff & Sandi (and Teddy - 7lb Schnorkie)
2018 Montana High Country 305RL
2015 RAM 3500 Crew Cab 4x4 DRW
Demco Recon Hitch on RAM Puck Ball
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05-02-2019, 05:17 AM
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#3
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: North little rock
Posts: 89
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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.
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05-02-2019, 05:31 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Sacramento
Posts: 1,005
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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.
__________________
2022 Cedar Creek Champagne 38EL - "Big Bertha"
2019 GMC Sierra 3500 Denali HD 6.6L Duramax TD, CC, 4WD, DRW - "Mr. Beefy"
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05-02-2019, 07:09 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Okanagan, BC
Posts: 916
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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.
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2010 Cougar 30RKS
2015 GMC Sierra Max Trailer
"Drinks for 6, Dinner for 4, Sleeps 2"
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05-02-2019, 07:15 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Macedonia
Posts: 217
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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.
__________________
DocP (Michael)
Former: Keystone Cougar 32RLI and 34TBS
Current: 2019 Georgetown GT5 31L5 motorhome
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05-02-2019, 08:13 AM
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#7
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Site Team
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: W. Texas
Posts: 17,692
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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-tr...ravel-trailer/
__________________
Danny and Susan, wife of 56 years
2019 Ram 3500 Laramie CC SWB SB 6.4 4x4 4.10
2020 Montana High Country 331RL
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05-02-2019, 09:18 AM
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#8
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Chelsea
Posts: 77
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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.
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05-08-2019, 07:54 AM
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#9
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Bloomsdale
Posts: 3
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Thank you everyone. I contacted the dealer and they are sending out 1400lb bars to replace my current weight distribution bars.
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05-08-2019, 02:35 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Fruitland
Posts: 3,357
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Good to hear they stepped up and did the right thing.
__________________
2013 24RKSWE (27ft TT) Cougar 1/2 ton series SOLD 10-2021
2013 Ford F350 4x4 CC 6.7 engine, 8 ft bed, 3.55 rear end, lariat package
Retired from Oregon State Police in 2011 than worked another 9.5 years as a small town traffic cop:
As of 05-2020, I am all done with 39 years total police work. No more uniforms for me.
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