[A/S] Re: tongue weight and suspension

["Viking" <drighten@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hello group- I have a question:

I pull a 1979 31' International sovereign with a Ford F250 diesel 4X4
pick-up. tongue weight is ~ 1,100 lbs, according to a coop grain scale.
Total trailer loaded weight is 8,200 lbs. I use an Equilizer hitch. I
have the hitch set up to so that the trailer is level front to back
(ball height is ~18"). I am perceiving a bit more squat in the truck
than I'd like- the back of the truck is noticeably lower than the front
when I'm lashed up. I did replace my shocks a year ago, but the springs
are OEM.

I'm curious what others with similar rigs experience in terms of squat
in the truck and ball height. Have you done anything to enhance your
suspension? What is your tongue weight?

My 79 31' weighs 4850 empty, and the GVWR on the tag is 7100.  Airstream 
says the tongue weight comes in around 580, but this should increase when 
the trailer is loaded to 10 to 12 % of weight of loaded trailer, which would 
go up to 710 to 850 IAW the GVWR, which would also be within the capacity of 
a class IV hitch receiver with weight distribution.  It would appear that 
you have too much weight in the trailer, and some of it is too far forward, 
ergo the heavy tongue weight.  You need to move some of the weight from the 
trailer to the truck and move some rearward to balance the trailer.  An 1100 
pound tongue weight will definitely lower the rear of your truck, as it is 
being applied as far rearward as possible on the ball hitch.  As Daisy 
suggested, you should get all the really heavy stuff ahead of your rear axle 
if possible.  Heavier weight distribution bars can alleviate this rear sag, 
but are not necessarily a good idea, as if they are too heavy, the 
structural strain on the frames of both truck and trailer can be compromised 
by the excessive torque application.  This needs to be correct for the 
trailers weight more than anything else.

Hope some of this helps
Tom
Canada