I've been concerned I do not have my weight Distribution Hitch adjusted correctly.
Using a critical eye, I think I'm nose low. (trailer is pointing down in the front) I have not moved the ball up yet, but want to put this out there.
My Biggest concern, there are a few bridges I have to cross, and they are... less than ideal. (Both are about 100 years old)
I tend to porpoise a lot on them. (I believe porpoising to be when the camper seems to bounce up and down on the hitch. see this drawing)
So I finally had the opportunity to visit a CAT scale.
I did 3 weighs.
First one was on my trip up, and I was just scoping it out. Not sure if I had the trailer on the pads correctly (didn't check), Truck was 50% full of gas, and I left the weight distribution bars engaged.
Second Weigh was on my return trip, and was seconds after I gassed up, weight distribution bars engaged.
Third Weight was seconds after the 2nd weight. Didn't even move the truck. Just popped the bars off, and reweighed.
Due to timing, wife's indulgence of the unscheduled stop, no available parking to drop the trailer, and after my 3rd weigh, 4 trucks started queuing up, I was un-able to get the trailer alone, the truck alone, or anything else. I did use a sherline scale a few weeks ago to get a number of hitch weight.
All tanks are empty on these weighs, and 50% propane, and everybody was in the truck.
1: 50% gas, bars engage
Weigh 2: 100% gas, Bars engaged.
Weigh 3: 100% gas, Bars Disengaged
Tongue Weight: (I read about 675)
SO. MATH (my enemy)
Trailer GVWR is: 7495.
Calculated weight as traveled is: 6875 (using the no bars trailer weight)
Tongue weight is: 675
Ideal tongue weight:
As traveled: 10% = 687 15%= 1032
GVWR: 10% = 749.50 15%=1125
Tongue Weight Conclusion
I'm too light in the tongue, by 30lbs to 400lbs
Hitch Height Conclusion
Based on my LevelMate Pro, when I'm hitched up, I think I'm about 2" nose down
Weight Distribution Bars Conclusion
I'm unsure. Should I go up one setting on the chains (Blue Ox Hitch) to try an move more weight to the front of the trailer?
Using a critical eye, I think I'm nose low. (trailer is pointing down in the front) I have not moved the ball up yet, but want to put this out there.
My Biggest concern, there are a few bridges I have to cross, and they are... less than ideal. (Both are about 100 years old)
I tend to porpoise a lot on them. (I believe porpoising to be when the camper seems to bounce up and down on the hitch. see this drawing)
So I finally had the opportunity to visit a CAT scale.
I did 3 weighs.
First one was on my trip up, and I was just scoping it out. Not sure if I had the trailer on the pads correctly (didn't check), Truck was 50% full of gas, and I left the weight distribution bars engaged.
Second Weigh was on my return trip, and was seconds after I gassed up, weight distribution bars engaged.
Third Weight was seconds after the 2nd weight. Didn't even move the truck. Just popped the bars off, and reweighed.
Due to timing, wife's indulgence of the unscheduled stop, no available parking to drop the trailer, and after my 3rd weigh, 4 trucks started queuing up, I was un-able to get the trailer alone, the truck alone, or anything else. I did use a sherline scale a few weeks ago to get a number of hitch weight.
All tanks are empty on these weighs, and 50% propane, and everybody was in the truck.
1: 50% gas, bars engage
Weigh 2: 100% gas, Bars engaged.
Weigh 3: 100% gas, Bars Disengaged
Tongue Weight: (I read about 675)
SO. MATH (my enemy)
Trailer GVWR is: 7495.
Calculated weight as traveled is: 6875 (using the no bars trailer weight)
Tongue weight is: 675
Ideal tongue weight:
As traveled: 10% = 687 15%= 1032
GVWR: 10% = 749.50 15%=1125
Tongue Weight Conclusion
I'm too light in the tongue, by 30lbs to 400lbs
Hitch Height Conclusion
Based on my LevelMate Pro, when I'm hitched up, I think I'm about 2" nose down
Weight Distribution Bars Conclusion
I'm unsure. Should I go up one setting on the chains (Blue Ox Hitch) to try an move more weight to the front of the trailer?
Comment