Re: [A/S] RE: Tongue weight

[Matt Worner <wornmatt@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Winter only counts when there is snow on the ground.  ;^)>

> 
> Our 34' has a tongue weight of 1240#.  

Check the rating sticker on your hitch receiver.  Mine (factory) was 
only rated for 10k, 1k tongue weight with a load equalizing hitch, half 
those figures for load bearing.  Had the receiver changed to a class 5 
so I could tow my utility trailers without load equalizers if necessary. 
  Hitch is now rated more than the tow pony. (F-350 PSD) at 12k, 1200 
bearing, 14k, 1400 with an equalizer.  Truck only goes to 10k but 
utility trailers go to 7k so I'm still in the limits and my "warm and 
fuzzy feeling" zone.  And I run with load equalizers anyway.

I know there
> was a thread on this not to long ago that dealt with
> the tongue weight in relation to the hitch.  I have
> the large equal-i-zer hitch, but it still is only up
> to 1200#.

I doubt that the extra 40 pounds would be an issue.  I would not be 
comfortable being that close to the limit though.  I prefer not using 
the built in safety factor on anything.  That's why I bought a tow 
vehicle with a 10k rating for a 7k trailer.
> 
> I'm not going to get a Hensley, 

Back in the 70s (before Hensleys were made and before I knew "B" from 
Bull's Foot about towing) I had a trailer go nuts on me and almost dump 
me off a 200 foot cliff.  That thrill was enough to last a couple of 
lifetimes.  As soon as I saw the Hensley I wanted one.


<snip> Just how critical is it that I've maxed out
> the wekight capacity of the hitch.  

Maxed out- a comfort thing, but if you are over max on any one thing as 
far as stated ratings I would suspect you are in an extremely invidious 
position in the event of an accident.

YMMV
Matt