Tongue storage box weight - it all adds up

[gklott]

As an exercise to baseline our trailer's weight, we emptied it of everything not attached. We are now going cabinet-by-cabinet weighing what we put in. We are working to avoid the dreaded weight creep after 2-1/2 years.

Total "emptied" trailer weight on CAT scales is 4200 lbs. Fresh, gray, and black tanks were empty. This weight includes our Hensley hitch, two 30 lb. (7.1 gal) aluminum propane tanks, installed 3000W inverter, upgraded charging system, and four Battleborn GC2 under dinette seat. Our other modifications we've mentioned in this Forum have been weight change neutral.

We started in the front tongue storage box. We needed to vacuum it out, along with all other spaces, after a powerful wind and dust storm pelted us in Tehachapi, CA.

We have two more Battleborn GC2 batteries in the storage box center, replacing the two Lifeline GPL-4CT AGM batteries we originally used. Changing batteries dropped the weight from about 132 lbs. to 62 lbs.

The storage box sticker says weight limit is 100 lbs., which we assume is weight beyond the batteries. Here's what we discovered.

Weight in whole lbs.
SmartPlug 30' Power Cord = 9
X-chock stabilizers x 2 = 10
Link Levelers (10 pack) x 2 = 16
Sidewinder sewer hose support = 5
Folding step stool = 2
Water hose pressure reducer = 1
Sewer hose fittings and Camco fitting wrench = 4
Torque wrench 3/8" = 3
Hensley hitch wrench = 2
Cordless drill bag with drill, batteries, charger, sockets, etc. = 14
Rubber chocks = 4
LL Bean door mat = 3
Potable water hose = 7
Tongue jack base plate = 2
Misc (gloves, cleaner, wipes, etc.) = 3
Total = 85 lbs.

This surprised us. It is a good lesson in how small things add up.

We are thinking about the necessity of each item, wanting to minimize weight. We will do the same as we return items to each cabinet.

Colin Fletcher, in his book The Complete Walker, said about lightening his backpack: "You take care of the ounces, and the pounds take care of themselves."

Don't let weight creep get you!

73/gus

[Eggscape]

Then there is the box itself which we don’t have.
Your base weight I am sure will be of interest to some with a vehicle rated at 5000 lb max tow. Nothing like some fluids to make that weight climb as well.

[kathytony1985]

Interesting, our storage box sticker says 50 lb. max weight. We have 2 Lithium batteries. I wonder why the difference?

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by kathytony1985

Interesting, our storage box sticker says 50 lb. max weight. We have 2 Lithium batteries. I wonder why the difference?

50 lb. or 50 kg. ?
50 kg = 110 lb.

[brroberts]

My Sept 2021 E19 says 50LBS for the box. I have dual 6V flooded batteries.

[kathytony1985]

50 pounds. 2021 21NE

[JeffreyG]

Originally Posted by brroberts

My Sept 2021 E19 says 50LBS for the box. I have dual 6V flooded batteries.

Mine says the same, and it had dual Lithium batteries in it, which I relocated to the dinette. So that 50 lb sticker is obviously meaningless. How can a box with dual 6V lead and a box with dual Lithium each have the same remaining net?

I have not weighed all the contents of my box yet, but I can agree that it is an invitation to a heavy tongue weight. I loaded my trailer (including box) and removed my Hensley to weight the tongue........495 lbs.

And the part of the Hensley I pulled off weighs 95 lbs.

To be honest, that's about what I expected, but it does show how having that front storage box encourages loading up the front. The E-19 at least also supports this as the under-bed area isn't super convenient and so does not wind up with a lot of heavy gear under it.

[HABBERDABBER]

A bit of a heavy tongue weight is not a huge disadvantage, given the 10%-15% tongue weight recommendations. It's that rear end weight, with full water tanks, bikes, rear hitch cargo boxes and other gear that may be more of a concern...to me.

Two 30 lb propane tanks sure change your equation.

[Oldtimer]

We added 30 lb tanks this yr before our trips. I rotated some items to the back of trailer under the bed to compensate. Ended up with a 525 tongue weight. Trailer towed better than before.

David

[Upfisk]

At the 2019 Osoyoos Rally someone had a scale and did tongue weight measurements for those interested. Our Escape 19 has dual lead acid batteries in the front box and everything else up there necessary to level, hook up to utilities, etc. On the back on the bike carrier we had 2-25# bicycles on a 50# carrier. We had a full water tank and empty grey and black. Our tongue weight was 390#. Those bicycles really subtract tongue weight! We have taken to adding even more in the front storage box as it is obvious we needed at least 50# additional weight to even the load out. We have also added a full 5 gallon water container under the front dinette if we are not too loaded with other items. The Escape has always towed great with no sway, but we feel much more confident with a heavier front box and weight in the dinette.