We're looking to upgrade travel trailers. When we purchased our current Cherokee it was long before I found this site and knew anything about tongue/hitch weights, GVWR, CCC, etc.
What I need to determine is what a "safe/healthy" hitch/tongue weight of a new travel trailer would be for our 2002 Ford Excursion to tow.
How do I figure/calculate this?
Also, is the hitch/tongue weight of our current Cherokee stamped or marked somewhere on it? I've looked for it, but can't find it anywhere. I'd like to know what it is for future comparison's sake. Right now our Excursion handled the Cherokee perfectly, and I'd like to stay in that neighborhood if possible.
So, again:
1. How do I find out what a safe hitch/tongue weight for my Excursion is?
2. How can I find out what the hitch/tongue weight of my Cherokee TT is for comparison's sake?
2002 Ford Excursion 4x4 7.3L Powerstroke Diesel
2004 35' Cherokee by Forest River
Equalizer Hitch System
Prodigy Brake Controller
Best way to find out your actual weights is to load the Excursion & Cherokee for a camping trip and take both to a CAT scale. (Many truck stops have them). Get a weight with each truck axle and the trailer axles on separate pads (3 pads total). Then check the weights you get with the GAWR ratings listed for the trailer and for the truck (you should be able to find the latter in your owners manual). If you're within the numbers, you should be good.
Trucks are rated in terms of tons. 1/2 ton 3/4 ton 1 ton Basically your tongue weight should not exceed this suspension rating. I'm not sure which platform the excursion is sitting on. Maybe somebody with more experience with the Excursion will chime in soon.
BTW- 10 - 15% of gross trailer weight is a good rule of thumb but don't take that for granted. It depends on floorplan of TT & where the axles are mounted.
Like stated above it is best to go to a scale to check it.
Many TT mfg. list tongue weights in their brochures. Check the mfg websites as well.
First off, your 02 Excursion is rated to tow 11,000 lbs and has a GCWR of 20,000 lbs, so you need to know your loaded curb weight first. The 20k CGWR can be decieving - if you X weights in at 11k with you, your family, gear and full tank of fuel, then you have 9k left for a trailer.
Next - the hitch on an Excursion is a class 5 and is designed to carry 10-12,000 lbs. However, the suspension on the X was made 'soft' for a more 'car-like' ride, so just because the hitch can handle it, doesn't mean you'll be an enjoyable towing experience.
Finally, the only way to truly know the tounge weight is to weight it. There is a bathroom scale method to get that magic number, but the 12-15% rule is pretty close. The key to it is proper balance trailer when you load it - that is a science in and of itself.
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