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  • #1

    Hitch weight question

    Hello My wife and I are new owners of our first RV a 2020 17MKE. We love it and are learning a lot about RVs. I have a question and thought it would probably have 8been addressed in a previous post but I did not find it. My question is that the GD brochures state the hitch weight for the 17MKE is 428 lbs but the vehicle weight information sheet for our trailer lists the weight at 714 lbs. That is a significant difference. My question is that normal and what would contribute to this increase the the actual hitch weight in my trailer?

    I have been through the numbers with my tow vehicle and everything is fine. I was just curious why such a difference.
    Thank you
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  • #2
    Originally posted by Larrymcg View Post
    Hello My wife and I are new owners of our first RV a 2020 17MKE. We love it and are learning a lot about RVs. I have a question and thought it would probably have 8been addressed in a previous post but I did not find it. My question is that the GD brochures state the hitch weight for the 17MKE is 428 lbs but the vehicle weight information sheet for our trailer lists the weight at 714 lbs. That is a significant difference. My question is that normal and what would contribute to this increase the the actual hitch weight in my trailer?

    I have been through the numbers with my tow vehicle and everything is fine. I was just curious why such a difference.
    Thank you
    That does seem off. We have the XLS 22MLE. Online listed tongue weight is 490, Vehicle Weight Sheet had 580. I took my Sherline tongue weight scale to the PDI and it was 580, just like the sheet.

    Only way for you to know what is your unit’s tongue weight is to use a scale like Sherline or go to the CAT scales. If you do the latter, use this simple online calculator. You will need three weighs, plug the numbers in and the results are at the bottom. You can also download the WeighMyTruck app from CAT which makes it really easy since you don’t need to go into the gas station building to pay and pick up your ticket. It’s emailed to you right after you weigh. Cost about $12 for initial weigh and about $2.50 for reweighs. Plenty of helpful YouTube videos.

    http://www.towingplanner.com/ActualW...ailerCatScales

    2010 Tundra SR5 DC 5.7L
    2020 Imagine XLS 22MLE
    Andersen WDH
    Dexter E-Z Flex Suspension Kit
    2018 Rockwood Mini Lite 2104s
    2014 Jayco x17z Hybrid
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    • #3
      Hi Larry. Thanks for checking in and welcome to the forum. It is very common for the hitch weight to "grow" from the published numbers. The published weight is for a completely empty trailer. No battery, no propane in the tanks, no water or waste in the tanks, and no options installed. Once you add those things into your trailer, that hitch will weigh quite a bit more. And then when you add your personal items and cargo, it will grow even more. The published weight for my trailer is 824 pounds. But when I'm loaded up and hitting the road, I'm near 1,300#!

      Jim
      Jim and Ginnie
      2024 Solitude 310GK - 2020 F350 Dually
      GDRV Technical Forum Moderator
      GDRV Rally Support Coordinator

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      • #4
        Thanks for the quick replies. I will head to the scales soon. It looks like the brochure weights are a little lighter than my actual trailer.

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        • #5
          Thanks Jim (TucsonJim) for saying that... I thought I might be a rare case......
          On my 2600RB we see a published tongue weight of 724 pounds...Not to bad... but with 2 batteries, 2 30# propane tanks..(which is how the trailer came configured) the tongue weight was 1260 pounds when loaded....SO this was over the 1000# tongue weight of our class 4 receiver... So we upgraded to a class V receiver with a rated 2500# rating from Curt. I feel better about it now.
          2021 Reflection 295RL
          2004 Dodge 2500 Ram

          US Navy CPO(ret)

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          • #6
            Originally posted by dohertycm View Post
            Thanks Jim (TucsonJim) for saying that... I thought I might be a rare case......
            On my 2600RB we see a published tongue weight of 724 pounds...Not to bad... but with 2 batteries, 2 30# propane tanks..(which is how the trailer came configured) the tongue weight was 1260 pounds when loaded....SO this was over the 1000# tongue weight of our class 4 receiver... So we upgraded to a class V receiver with a rated 2500# rating from Curt. I feel better about it now.
            Hey Chief, I can’t find the #2500 class 4 model you refer to, can you pls send the Curt 5 digit item number so I can take a look? Thanks Shipmate⚓️
            Last edited by Schiefswret; 08-02-2020, 09:44 AM. Reason: Update
            Dave and Sue
            2020 GD 2250RK
            2019 F-150 XLT, 5.0, 4WD, SB
            Curt 17500 WDH, 3.55
            GY Endurance, Dexter EZ Flex
            SCPO(SW) USN, (Ret), HP: Tampa Bay ⚓️🇺🇸

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            • #7
              Reading this makes me feel better about the time I spent installing the hitch, fueling the truck and then going across the scales to weigh the front & rear axles plus measure the ride height front & rear, then hooking up to the trailer and going back across the scales to check everything again. Just wanted to know what the actual weights were now that we've got the hitch installed, clothes, dishes, and all the other miscellaneous things we cram into our RV's. We're within the limits, and it's peace of mind to know we are.
              Have been considering the Better Weigh or Haul Gauge electronic devices that hook into the vehicle diagnostic ports which are supposed to be able to give the same information within a 10% margin of error - anyone have any experience with either of these?
              Chris
              2019 Solitude 3740BH
              2019 Chevy 3500HD Duramax SRW

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              • #8
                Originally posted by TheNescios View Post
                Have been considering the Better Weigh or Haul Gauge electronic devices that hook into the vehicle diagnostic ports which are supposed to be able to give the same information within a 10% margin of error - anyone have any experience with either of these?
                I personally wouldn’t want that large of a margin of error, on some larger travel trailers that could be over a 250# spread. If an officer, lawyer, or insurance agent ever asks for a weigh, I want a fairly recent CAT ticket to compare their numbers against.
                Jonathon, Sarah, Things 1, 2, & 3 Higham
                2020 Silverado 1500
                2021 Transcend Xplor 297QB

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by dohertycm View Post
                  So we upgraded to a class V receiver with a rated 2500# rating from Curt.
                  Similar toSchiefswret , I would be interested in how you accomplished this. The information that I gathered from Ford (several years ago now, but we have the same year truck) was that a Class IV receiver was the maximum possible on any F150, even the HDPP. Half ton trucks from other manufacturers also have maximum Class IV receivers as their factory option.

                  Rob

                  Edit: I just realized that this is a reference to an old part of this discussion . . .
                  Cate & Rob
                  (with Border Collies Molly & Angel + Kitties Hazel & Elsie)
                  2015 Reflection 303RLS
                  2022 F350 Diesel CC SB SRW Lariat
                  Bayham, Ontario, Canada

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                  • #10
                    If folks are installing a hitch capable of 2500 lbs, remember the frame of the TV would still be designed within certain parameters.

                    Jim
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                    • #11
                      Hitch weight for our trailer was listed at 920#. Actual empty hitch weight was just over1200#. How you load your trailer also affects your tongue weight.

                      For tongue weight I bought a Sherline LM 2000. Just before hook up I do a quick tongue weight check. On the way to our destination I go to a Cat Scale. tongue weight fully loaded is typically 1150-1200# for us.
                      Allen

                      2021 Momentum 21G

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