Finally weighed my beast.

[crash68]

I rely on the seat of my pants meter. If it feels sketchy it probably is.

Using scales to get the trailer loaded correctly should result in very predictable handling, probably be able to drive it one handed.
Depending on where your going camping, you might want to look into filling the water close to your destination. Keep a couple of gallons on board so you can use the bathroom but you don't really need to transport an extra 1K lbs if you don't need to.

 

[Bldrinker]

Using scales to get the trailer loaded correctly should result in very predictable handling, probably be able to drive it one handed.
Depending on where your going camping, you might want to look into filling the water close to your destination. Keep a couple of gallons on board so you can use the bathroom but you don't really need to transport an extra 1K lbs if you don't need to.

I always haul a full load of water last thing I need to worry about is where to find water I can trust. I drive 1 handed now. Seeing how light the front end is though I will be driving with that in mind. I keep it around 60-65mph

 

[GsRAM]

Excellent call on the gears, especially at those weights.

Please let us know how it runs after the swap and if your happy with it, if there is a notable seat of the pants difference, towing and unloaded, etc. Good stuff.

 

[Bldrinker]

Excellent call on the gears, especially at those weights.

Please let us know how it runs after the swap and if your happy with it, if there is a notable seat of the pants difference, towing and unloaded, etc. Good stuff.

I will. Gear installer is asking for 1000 miles before I tow. That’s going to be difficult. I have had the truck 1.5yrs and have 8800 miles lol.

 

[Loudram]

I will. Gear installer is asking for 1000 miles before I tow. That’s going to be difficult. I have had the truck 1.5yrs and have 8800 miles lol.

Road trip!

 

[392DevilDog]

I will. Gear installer is asking for 1000 miles before I tow. That’s going to be difficult. I have had the truck 1.5yrs and have 8800 miles lol.

Wow. I put 8800 miles on in a few months...140045 right now.

I am curious how it affects the 2nd to first drop...and with first limited around 32 to 37 mph...not sure exactly...how that works with a steep turn infused grade.

Also curious how engine braking is enhanced on the downhill

 

[GsRAM]

I will. Gear installer is asking for 1000 miles before I tow. That’s going to be difficult. I have had the truck 1.5yrs and have 8800 miles lol.

Nice! Thanks. I hear you! I just turned 13,600 today on my 2017 that will be 4 yrs old on 12/30/20. Working remotely due to covid has really helped

 

[Bldrinker]

Wow. I put 8800 miles on in a few months...140045 right now.

I am curious how it affects the 2nd to first drop...and with first limited around 32 to 37 mph...not sure exactly...how that works with a steep turn infused grade.

Also curious how engine braking is enhanced on the downhill

I already have to much engine braking. Drives me nuts.

 

[GsRAM]

That's interesting. I think the engine braking with tow/haul engaged is spot on perfect. I wouldn't change it. Everyone is different. Maybe someday they will be able to offer levels of engine braking....kind of like the boost settings on the prodigy P3.

 

[TomB 1269]

Without something in the garage your tongue weight percentage will be high, as crash68 calculated 16.8%. depending on how you load the trailer as well as the weight of the toy in the garage it is unlikely you will get down to the 1400lb stated tongue weight as that is only 10% tongue weight and most TT have 11 to 13% tongue weights. Toy haulers are heavier tongue weights when dry then travel trailers. 5th wheels are completely different as they are expected to be in the high teens to 25% pin weight to start with.

So as you suspect your WDH is going to end up to light to handle this trailer properly.

 

[Gunslinger]

Need to do the same next week, will post it

 

[Elkman]

From the OP pictures it is obvious that the rear suspension is grossly overloaded and driving at night even the beams will be blinding oncoming drivers. Time for adding air bags to the truck.

 

[crash68]

From the OP pictures it is obvious that the rear suspension is grossly overloaded and driving at night even the beams will be blinding oncoming drivers. Time for adding air bags to the truck.

Your assumption is wrong, the rear suspension is 700 lbs under the rear GAWR. If you would bother to read the posts above you would see the OP toy hauler is empty making it tongue heavy. Air bags might be needed to control porpoising but the weight distribution of the truck and trailer need to be corrected first.

 

[Toddz]

Bldrinker, I have a tongue weight scale and I believe you don't live far from me, so if you ever need to borrow it just shoot me a message. That way you can see how much each item shifts your weight (I.E. gas in the hauler, UTV and bikes, etc).

 

[68PowerWagon]

Your assumption is wrong, the rear suspension is 700 lbs under the rear GAWR. If you would bother to read the posts above you would see the OP toy hauler is empty making it tongue heavy. Air bags might be needed to control porpoising but the weight distribution of the truck and trailer need to be corrected first.

Yeah with my old eyes he looks close to level which is where I sit when fully loaded with my 5th wheel. I did as you mentioned & put a set of air bags on to help control the porpoising but did not absolutely have to have them. Fully loaded I am about 550lbs. under max (6,500) on my rear axle.

 

[JS4024]

Looks a lot tongue heavy!

 

[j_t_l]

Bldrinker, I have a tongue weight scale and I believe you don't live far from me, so if you ever need to borrow it just shoot me a message. That way you can see how much each item shifts your weight (I.E. gas in the hauler, UTV and bikes, etc).

The tongue weight scales are fun to play with. I put 200lbs right against the back door of my toy hauler, and saw the tongue lighten up by 50lbs. Then I walked the 200lbs to the front, and saw the tongue go up 100lbs. So now I have a vague idea of what changing/moving loads around will do to the tongue weight.