Going to get a new TT soon and have been reading about weights. The question I have is the 12 - 13% tongue weight based on the weight of the trailer loaded or unloaded? I talked to an elderly man last night who bought a TT that was right on the limit of his TV and said his drive home was a nightmare. Scared him to death. He said it swayed all the way home........ bad. He had a good WD hitch and sway bars. Would a vehicle that is to small cause that or was it just the setup of the hitch? I only saw it after he had unhooked but it would seem if the TV was to small (and I think it was) it would burn something up on the TV and not cause the problems he was having. He had a 25' Starcraft and was pulling it with a 2 door Ford Explorer. Thanks for you help...... don't need a nightmare!!
You will find that most discussions center around speaking in terms of "loaded weights" (ready to camp). What's recommended is that your "loaded" TT tongue weight should be 10% to 15% of your "loaded" TT weight.
As far as your friend's situation, there are many factors that may have contributed to his "nightmare" towing experience, need more detailed information.
Turk2500
05 Jayco Eagle, 278FBS, UVW 7,063lbs, GVWR 9,000lbs.
Tongue Weight: Dry 913lbs/Loaded 1,200lbs.
02 Chevy, 2500HD/4x4, 6.0L/4:10, EC/LS/SB, Prodigy, GCWR 16,000lbs.
TV/TT loaded: 14,700lbs.
Putnam XDR Class V, Reese HP Dual Cam.
00 HD Road King Classic.
Our target on tongue weight is 13% of our fully loaded weight. We have weighed both several times. No sway with our Equal-i-zer, and properly set up WD and TT.
Chuck
Wonderful Wife
Lovely German Shepherd.
1999 Mercedes ML320 TV
2003 Wanderer 187TB Toybox (3620# UVW, 4800# loaded) Not yet camped in Hawaii, 2 Canada Provinces, & 2 Territories. I can't be lost because I don't care where this lovely road is going
His problem is most likely the 2 door explorer. thats a short wheelbase for towing a 25' camper. It could be other things also....but I sure wouldn't want to tow with that setup.
'07 Hornet 30BHS TT-family cabin
'94 Suburban 2500 tow rig w/454ci, 4.10 gears, Prodigy controller
'95 Jeep Grand Cherokee-8"lift, 37" tires-play toy
Offline
