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Old 05-13-2013, 06:22 PM   #1
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Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia
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Tongue weight and WDH

It appears that the best rule of thumb is for the tongue weight to be 10-12% of the overall weight of the trailer, and not exceeding the limits ie. 350 lbs.

Although I've read lots of posts and have considered buying a sherline scale......it is still not clear to me "when" you determine tongue weight.

We have a WDH - is tongue weight measured without the WDH - in other words - level trailer, and weight of the front jack on the scale? .......if this is so, doesn't the tongue weight change once you hook up your WDH?

We're still trying to solve the wind/ sway issue we've had.
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Old 05-13-2013, 07:00 PM   #2
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You don't indicate your tow vehicle or trailer.
But, I measure my 17B tongue without the WDH ( I don't know how you would do it with the WDH hooked up. It should weigh about 320 lbs. I shift items in the trailer forward if necessary, but usually try to place heavy items above the axle.
The WDH itself weighs 68 lbs. and the WDH shifts some of the tongue weight forward and aft. It's all to complex for me, so I just aim at 320 lbs. for the tongue and call it a day. Works for me.
The RAV4 specifies a max tongue weight of 350 lbs.
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Old 05-13-2013, 07:00 PM   #3
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Tongue weight is measured when the trailer is level, loaded for camping and not hooked up to the tow vehicle. Tongue weight measurement is then used to determine the amount of extra weight you are putting on the tow vehicle. This measurement number can then be used to determine if you need a w/d set up to shift some of the tongue weight forward and back. Too low tongue weight and you will have sway, improper w/d set up and you will have sway. W/d is not meant to defeat sway, sway control is what you need for sway. W/D is meant to keep you trailer and tow vehicle level and to distribute some t/w, if needed. I do not need w/d for my Ram as my 350# t/w does not effect the Ram. I do however need it with my FJ Cruiser as the t/w makes it squat in the rear and I need to shift some of that weight forward. I purchased a Andersen Hitch which is w/d plus it controls sway. Sway as I said earlier is from too little tongue weight or an improper w/d set up.
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