Ilka Wagner
Active Member
I suspected something like that but wanted to make sure. Even with a good WD setup, will find it surprising if the towing experience feels as solid when comparing to the van. Just to make it clear, am not bashing, but am offering expectations to minimize the surprise factor.
And back to those weights, best bet is to get real numbers rather than guessing about loaded weight. Sometimes there are big differences between guesstimates and the scales If a certified scale is too far away, try looking for a local recycling center or municipal dump as these places commonly have scales.
Yes. Just to make sure we are on the same page, the weight on the ball (tongue weight) counts toward payload. But this is *not* the trailer's total weight.
There are two ways to get the tongue weight:
- self-evident: get the weight of just the jack-stand with the ball raised to the correct tow height and hitch dangling from the trailer (or just put the hitch on the scale pad). A certified scale can do this while also getting the total trailer weight. Just put the jack-stand and axles on different pads.
- total rig approach: weight the tow vehicle *without* the trailer. Put the front and rear axle on different pads as these numbers are important for the next step. Do a second round *with* the trailer and WD hitch setup to tow. Put the van's front axle, van's rear axle, and trailer's axles (all) on different pads. The increase in the van's weight (total on both axles) is the amount of payload that the trailer is adding. This method is desirable as it also gives the amount of weight that the hitch is passing to the front axle. From these numbers, you are in a better place to start interpolating as to the Expedition's capacity.
We are on the same page. Decided yesterday that I am going to get the camper set up for travel like we would have it, full of water, etc and go weigh it. Then make a decision on what I want to pull it with. Wish I could do a pick up but just can't since we travel with 3 - 100# dogs that need to be in crates so there is no room in a pick up. If the Expedition doesn't work, then we will just stick with the van and I will find a small SUV to run to work with. Was just hoping to have both of our vehicles available to tow the trailer. Glad I have people to ask all these questions to!