Re: [A/S] hitch weight calculations

["MJ Worner" <wornmatt@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Claudette,


>I'm wondering if I'm calculating the range of hitch weights correctly. 
>If I understand the formula, it should be 10-15% of the trailer weight. 
>  Is that max weight or actual weight?  
>
Weight on the ball should be the proper percentage of the actual weight 
of the trailer under tow.  I like to shoot for the 12-1/2% midpoint.

>I realize one should weigh the 
>trailer, but if you're in the market for one and you want to be sure 
>your potential tow vehicle will work, do you assume the max being 10-15% 
>of trailer GVWR?
>  
>
You can't go wrong if you plan to tow a fully loaded trailer at max 
tongue weight.  That being said, I'd be surprised if you ever get that high.

>In reading the fine print of the very nice tow guide put out by Ford, I 
>realized I may not want the full size van that I thought I had settled 
>on -- its hitch limit is 1,000 pounds.  
>

You can up grade the receiver to Class V which gives you 14,000# load 
equalized, 12,000# load bearing with 10% ratings on the ball.  That 
would get you the ball capacity you want.  Realize however that the 
trailer weight would still be limited by the GVWR and GCWR numbers for 
the tow vehicle.

>I've narrowed my choice to a 25 
>or 28 foot new Classic or International, which at 15% of GVWR could 
>reach about 1200 pounds hitch weight.
>  
>
WOW! 8000# GVWR on such a little trailer? (I hope you mean the 28 
footer, by the way)  My 31 footer ('75 Sovereign) is only 7100#.  Boy 
they have gotten fat on the new ones.  (Vintage, think vintage.)  ;^)>

>What if hitch weight exceeds 15%?  
>

Towing stability would suffer.  Probably not as badly as if you were 
light on the ball, but still a bit squirrely.

>I'm wondering because the 25 foot 
>classic is close to 15%, unloaded, 
>
That should be 15% of the unloaded weight, not the GVW.  Check that out 
in the book work.

>according to Airstream's brochure. So 
>I'm thinking that loaded it might in reality run higher.  If your tow 
>vehicle's rear axle can handle the weight, is that OK? 
>
Please do not be thinking of towing anything over 1500# without a load 
equalizing hitch!  Make sure that BOTH axles can handle the weight.  
(That's 1/2 tongue weight each on a PERFECTLY set up hitch.  I've never 
seen one of those, but in theory...  I'd figure on total tongue weight + 
5% (of the actual weight) on the rear axle, based on the assumption that 
the load equalizer is thoroughly messed up and doing nothing.  Don't 
forget that a pound on the ball is more than a pound on the rear  axle 
because of leverage. (Also a light front end won't steer too well, 
either.)   I'm sure that the 5% figure is way high, but I'm just a way 
high kind of guy when safety is involved.  Don't forget, that the driver 
is, by definition, the first one at the scene of the crash.  Also with 
that much trailer tail hanging behind the axles you need anti-sway 
capability unless your tow vehicle has tracks instead of wheels.

> Or do you need 
>to pack all your heavy goods towards the back of the trailer to 
>distribute the weight better?
>  
>
I'd check out the tongue scale at:  http://sherline.com/lm.htm .  Very 
inexpensive insurance, especially if towing is a newly acquired skill.

>Sorry for asking such newbie questions, 
>
Don't be sorry for seeking knowledge now, its better than being sorry for not having it later.

>but after spending lots of money 
>I'd hate to find out I'd made a bad choice.
>
Looking at Airstreams is a definite indicator that good choices are 
being made.  So is asking for the benefit of experience.

>  Thanks for any advice you 
>can give...
>  
>
Motto of a fellow Crusader (my Army combat unit)

"We help when we can, where we can, because we can."
(Sir Edward Artis, KM)
 
Airstreamers are like that, too.  See you down the road.
Matt