Joey Smith
Well-Known Member
Hi-
I recently purchased a used Airstream FC 23D (2017).
I was concerned about tongue weight so opted for an Andersen WDH (~60lbs).
I loaded up the family and camping equipment to get readings at the CAT scales and based on the numbers, I am trying to make adjustments.
Would appreciate any tips. One option is to buy another WDH but would like to see what is the best I can do with what I have at present given the $$$.
Generally, I am trying to:
1. Keep everything safe for me and the family (but don't know all of the rules of thumb around this).
2. Keep the trailer balanced (front vs back)
3. Shift weight to the front axle and keep rear axle weight as low as possible (reduce sag)
INFO ABOUT TOW VEHICLE (TV)
(2019 Exp XLT Max, 4x4, w/Heavy Tow)
GVWR: 7720 lbs
Payload: 1767 lbs
Front GAWR: 3550 lbs
Rear GAWR: 4380 lbs
Towing Capacity: 9000 lbs
Tongue Weight Capacity: 900 lbs
Combined TT+TV Weight: 15500 lbs
Curb Weight (not sure about this as found somewhere online): 5794 lbs
Maybe this one is actually 7720 - 1767 = 5953 lbs
Details about the CAT weighings are at the bottom...
CHECKING TONGUE WEIGHT:
I used the CAT scale weighings (#1 and #2) to determine the tongue weight as being 680 lbs and was happy to see that it was sufficiently under the 900 lbs.
REAR GAWR AND REAR SAG:
Next I looked to confirm that I was under the Rear GAWR and wanted to check how much rear sag there was.
With a WDH tuning of 7 threads on the Andersen hitch, I am at 4260 lbs on the Drive Axle which gives me 40 lbs of margin for additional TV cargo (assuming the additional 1/2 tank of gas consumes ~80 lbs).
TV Front: 36 1/2"
TV: Rear: 35"
TT Front: 16"
TT Rear: 16"
With a WDH tuning of 8 threads on the Andersen hitch, I am at 4180 lbs on the Drive Axle which gives me ~120 lbs of margin for additional TV cargo (again assuming the addl 1/2 tank gas gas consumes ~80 lbs). The problem with this setup is that the trailer is a little less level now (16" in front and 16 3/4" in the back).
TV Front: 36 3/4"
TV: Rear: 35 1/8"
TT Front: 16"
TT Rear: 16 3/4"
QUESTIONS:
1. Between the following, what is most important:
A. Balancing Front and Rear of the Tow Vehicle (TV)
B. Balancing Front and Rear of the Travel Trailer (TT)
2. Is there a goal in terms of what the front and rear weight should look like on the Tow Vehicle? Ratio between the two? Difference between the two?
3. Would like to know people's opinions regarding the safety of the #'s for either scenario of 7 threads and 8 threads dialed into the Andersen WDH for those with experience with the Andersen WDH.
Thanks!
Details of CAT Scale Weights:
===================
1. TV Only (family+cargo+1/2tank of gas)
Steer Axle: 3120 lbs
Drive Axle: 3360 lbs
TV front: 36"
TV rear: 36 1/4"
TOTAL: 6480 lbs
2. TV+TT (WDH disabled or chains loosened)
Steer Axle: 2820 lbs
Drive Axle: 4340 lbs
Trailer Axle: 4900 lbs
TOTAL: 12060
--> Tongue weight = (2820+4340) - 6480 = 680 lbs
3. TV+TT (WDH enabled with 7 threads)
Steer Axle: 2920 lbs
Drive Axle: 4260 lbs
Trailer Axle: 4920 lbs
TOTAL: 12100
TT Front: 16"
TT Rear: 16"
TV Front: 36 1/2"
TV: Rear: 35"
4. TV+TT (WDH enabled with 8 threads)
Steer Axle: 2960 lbs
Drive Axle: 4180 lbs
Trailer Axle: 4940 lbs
TOTAL: 12080
TT Front: 16"
TT Rear: 16 3/4"
TV Front: 36 3/4"
TV: Rear: 35 1/8"
I recently purchased a used Airstream FC 23D (2017).
I was concerned about tongue weight so opted for an Andersen WDH (~60lbs).
I loaded up the family and camping equipment to get readings at the CAT scales and based on the numbers, I am trying to make adjustments.
Would appreciate any tips. One option is to buy another WDH but would like to see what is the best I can do with what I have at present given the $$$.
Generally, I am trying to:
1. Keep everything safe for me and the family (but don't know all of the rules of thumb around this).
2. Keep the trailer balanced (front vs back)
3. Shift weight to the front axle and keep rear axle weight as low as possible (reduce sag)
INFO ABOUT TOW VEHICLE (TV)
(2019 Exp XLT Max, 4x4, w/Heavy Tow)
GVWR: 7720 lbs
Payload: 1767 lbs
Front GAWR: 3550 lbs
Rear GAWR: 4380 lbs
Towing Capacity: 9000 lbs
Tongue Weight Capacity: 900 lbs
Combined TT+TV Weight: 15500 lbs
Curb Weight (not sure about this as found somewhere online): 5794 lbs
Maybe this one is actually 7720 - 1767 = 5953 lbs
Details about the CAT weighings are at the bottom...
CHECKING TONGUE WEIGHT:
I used the CAT scale weighings (#1 and #2) to determine the tongue weight as being 680 lbs and was happy to see that it was sufficiently under the 900 lbs.
REAR GAWR AND REAR SAG:
Next I looked to confirm that I was under the Rear GAWR and wanted to check how much rear sag there was.
With a WDH tuning of 7 threads on the Andersen hitch, I am at 4260 lbs on the Drive Axle which gives me 40 lbs of margin for additional TV cargo (assuming the additional 1/2 tank of gas consumes ~80 lbs).
TV Front: 36 1/2"
TV: Rear: 35"
TT Front: 16"
TT Rear: 16"
With a WDH tuning of 8 threads on the Andersen hitch, I am at 4180 lbs on the Drive Axle which gives me ~120 lbs of margin for additional TV cargo (again assuming the addl 1/2 tank gas gas consumes ~80 lbs). The problem with this setup is that the trailer is a little less level now (16" in front and 16 3/4" in the back).
TV Front: 36 3/4"
TV: Rear: 35 1/8"
TT Front: 16"
TT Rear: 16 3/4"
QUESTIONS:
1. Between the following, what is most important:
A. Balancing Front and Rear of the Tow Vehicle (TV)
B. Balancing Front and Rear of the Travel Trailer (TT)
2. Is there a goal in terms of what the front and rear weight should look like on the Tow Vehicle? Ratio between the two? Difference between the two?
3. Would like to know people's opinions regarding the safety of the #'s for either scenario of 7 threads and 8 threads dialed into the Andersen WDH for those with experience with the Andersen WDH.
Thanks!
Details of CAT Scale Weights:
===================
1. TV Only (family+cargo+1/2tank of gas)
Steer Axle: 3120 lbs
Drive Axle: 3360 lbs
TV front: 36"
TV rear: 36 1/4"
TOTAL: 6480 lbs
2. TV+TT (WDH disabled or chains loosened)
Steer Axle: 2820 lbs
Drive Axle: 4340 lbs
Trailer Axle: 4900 lbs
TOTAL: 12060
--> Tongue weight = (2820+4340) - 6480 = 680 lbs
3. TV+TT (WDH enabled with 7 threads)
Steer Axle: 2920 lbs
Drive Axle: 4260 lbs
Trailer Axle: 4920 lbs
TOTAL: 12100
TT Front: 16"
TT Rear: 16"
TV Front: 36 1/2"
TV: Rear: 35"
4. TV+TT (WDH enabled with 8 threads)
Steer Axle: 2960 lbs
Drive Axle: 4180 lbs
Trailer Axle: 4940 lbs
TOTAL: 12080
TT Front: 16"
TT Rear: 16 3/4"
TV Front: 36 3/4"
TV: Rear: 35 1/8"