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StirCrazy
Kamloops, BC, Canada
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nickthehunter wrote:It’s a single axle trailer; I’d be more concerned about the payload rating and tow rating of that car vs. the tongue weight and GVWR of that trailer. Clicky
A single axel is just one part of towing level it affects aerodynamics and the fridge. plus, it would also get those chains off the ground.
2014 F350 6.7 Platinum
2016 Cougar 330RBK
1991 Slumberqueen WS100
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nickthehunter
Midwest
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Reisender wrote:…Try to pack accordingly to keep the hitch weight under control. Front storage compartments are nice but if you are struggling with hitch weight maybe pack the light stuff up front… That is advice that can take you directly to the scene of the accident if you are not careful. It is worth mentioning that it is essential that you keep at least 10% tongue weight, and preferably 12%. Not doing so can be catastrophic.
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Reisender
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nickthehunter wrote:Reisender wrote:…Try to pack accordingly to keep the hitch weight under control. Front storage compartments are nice but if you are struggling with hitch weight maybe pack the light stuff up front… That is advice that can take you directly to the scene of the accident if you are not careful. It is worth mentioning that it is essential that you keep at least 10% tongue weight, and preferably 12%. Not doing so can be catastrophic.
Absolutely. Hence the recommendation to weigh everything. But in my experience single axle trailers with batteries on the front and large front storage compartments can result in overly heavy hitch weights. It’s just something to keep an eye on. In North America they recommend 10 to 15 percent whereas in Europe they recommend 6 to 10 percent for hitch weight. (We have a European designed trailer but built in the US). Best to try and pack over or close to the axle. Many European designs have things like fridges, batteries and storage areas as well as water tanks on or around the axle. Works out well and loading the trailer has less of an affect on the hitch weight. Ours is like that. Our hitch weight actually is slightly less when fully loaded although still at that 10 percent mark.
The absolute worst thing I see is these cargo racks on the rear end of trailers. Horrible idea.
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dougrainer
Carrolton, Texas
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Why NOT twist the chains??????????????????? Doug
PS, I have done it for 40 years and LOTS of my customers also when they have a too long chain problem.
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Reisender
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dougrainer wrote:
Why NOT twist the chains??????????????????? Doug
PS, I have done it for 40 years and LOTS of my customers also when they have a too long chain problem.
Twisted chains have less strength. This may or not be an issue depending on the application.
Partially twisted chains are not as affected as fully twisted chains.
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bikendan
Goodyear, Arizona
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neu wrote:bikendan wrote:nickthehunter wrote:It’s a single axle trailer; I’d be more concerned about the payload rating and tow rating of that car vs. the tongue weight and GVWR of that trailer. Clicky
Totally Agree! I'm betting that the loaded tongue weight is exceeding the car's max hitch weight.
I have an Audi Q5 2018 and according to the specifications, it seems to be capable of handling a 440-lb tongue weight.
Can the 2018 Audi Q5 Tow?
My trailer is called a Viking Saga 16sfb 2017, and I cannot find the specific characteristics for my year of production. However, for the new models of 2022, the Hitch Weight appears to be 363 lbs. If I understand correctly, this falls within the specification range.
Specs for 2022 Coachmen - Viking Saga Floorplan: 16SFB
The towing capacity of my car is 4,400-lb, which should be enough to cover the GWVR of 3,675-lb that my trailer has.
Please correct me if I am wrong about anything. It's all new area for me
Single axle trailers have much higher loaded tongue weights. Using the standard 13% of the trailer's GVWR, for a ballpark loaded tongue weight, puts it over 500lbs. NEVER believe fictitious brochure/website dry weight numbers. They don't factor the weights of batteries, factory options, dealer add-ons, water and trailer cargo. Once you add the weights of those things, the tongue weight really goes up.
You need to weigh the trailer's loaded tongue weight. And you didn't post what the payload capacity of your car is. Should be on a driver's door sticker.
Dan- Firefighter, Retired">, Shawn- Musician/Entrepreneur">, Zoe- Faithful Golden Retriever(RIP">), 2014 Ford F150 3.5 EcoboostMax Tow pkg, 2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255 w/4pt Equalizer and 5 Mtn. bikes and 2 Road bikes
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Reisender
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bikendan wrote:neu wrote:bikendan wrote:nickthehunter wrote:It’s a single axle trailer; I’d be more concerned about the payload rating and tow rating of that car vs. the tongue weight and GVWR of that trailer. Clicky
Totally Agree! I'm betting that the loaded tongue weight is exceeding the car's max hitch weight.
I have an Audi Q5 2018 and according to the specifications, it seems to be capable of handling a 440-lb tongue weight.
Can the 2018 Audi Q5 Tow?
My trailer is called a Viking Saga 16sfb 2017, and I cannot find the specific characteristics for my year of production. However, for the new models of 2022, the Hitch Weight appears to be 363 lbs. If I understand correctly, this falls within the specification range.
Specs for 2022 Coachmen - Viking Saga Floorplan: 16SFB
The towing capacity of my car is 4,400-lb, which should be enough to cover the GWVR of 3,675-lb that my trailer has.
Please correct me if I am wrong about anything. It's all new area for me
Single axle trailers have much higher loaded tongue weights. Using the standard 13% of the trailer's GVWR, for a ballpark loaded tongue weight, puts it over 500lbs. NEVER believe fictitious brochure/website dry weight numbers. They don't factor the weights of batteries, factory options, dealer add-ons, water and trailer cargo. Once you add the weights of those things, the tongue weight really goes up.
You need to weigh the trailer's loaded tongue weight. And you didn't post what the payload capacity of your car is. Should be on a driver's door sticker.
It varies with the trailer of course. Our tounge weight is less loaded than empty. But storage location, battery location and tank location affect that a lot. We have AGM 6 volts but they are located slightly behind the axle so the hitch lightens up a bit. Fresh tank is behind the axle but black is slightly in front. Fridge is also slightly behind the axle. And the storage is kind of over or slightly behind it. Looks like the OP’s storage is in front though so one would want to be careful when packing. A lithium battery might help a bit with hitch weight as well as it looks like the battery is probably located on the tounge.
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dougrainer
Carrolton, Texas
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Reisender wrote:dougrainer wrote:
Why NOT twist the chains??????????????????? Doug
PS, I have done it for 40 years and LOTS of my customers also when they have a too long chain problem.
Twisted chains have less strength. This may or not be an issue depending on the application.
Partially twisted chains are not as affected as fully twisted chains.
Where do you get this info??????????????? Doug
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Reisender
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dougrainer wrote:Reisender wrote:dougrainer wrote:
Why NOT twist the chains??????????????????? Doug
PS, I have done it for 40 years and LOTS of my customers also when they have a too long chain problem.
Twisted chains have less strength. This may or not be an issue depending on the application.
Partially twisted chains are not as affected as fully twisted chains.
Where do you get this info??????????????? Doug
Hi Doug. Just google it and it will pop up.
Heads up. I actually twist a little as I don’t want to shorten them too much just in case we tow with another vehicle. But various articles will indicate that the break strength decreases with the amount twisted.
Hope that helps.
Cheers.
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neu
Toronto
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bikendan wrote:neu wrote:bikendan wrote:nickthehunter wrote:It’s a single axle trailer; I’d be more concerned about the payload rating and tow rating of that car vs. the tongue weight and GVWR of that trailer. Clicky
Totally Agree! I'm betting that the loaded tongue weight is exceeding the car's max hitch weight.
I have an Audi Q5 2018 and according to the specifications, it seems to be capable of handling a 440-lb tongue weight.
Can the 2018 Audi Q5 Tow?
My trailer is called a Viking Saga 16sfb 2017, and I cannot find the specific characteristics for my year of production. However, for the new models of 2022, the Hitch Weight appears to be 363 lbs. If I understand correctly, this falls within the specification range.
Specs for 2022 Coachmen - Viking Saga Floorplan: 16SFB
The towing capacity of my car is 4,400-lb, which should be enough to cover the GWVR of 3,675-lb that my trailer has.
Please correct me if I am wrong about anything. It's all new area for me
Single axle trailers have much higher loaded tongue weights. Using the standard 13% of the trailer's GVWR, for a ballpark loaded tongue weight, puts it over 500lbs. NEVER believe fictitious brochure/website dry weight numbers. They don't factor the weights of batteries, factory options, dealer add-ons, water and trailer cargo. Once you add the weights of those things, the tongue weight really goes up.
You need to weigh the trailer's loaded tongue weight. And you didn't post what the payload capacity of your car is. Should be on a driver's door sticker.
Thank you, that's valuable advice, and I'll definitely take it into consideration.
However, I still have doubts about your statement that the manufacturer has provided an incorrect weight. One of their main tasks is to distribute everything evenly in the trailer, so that the weight is balanced on both sides of the axis. There's quite a bit of furniture located behind the axis in my trailer, and I don't think it's a coincidence - everything has been calculated and thought through. Even if the manufacturer doesn't take into account the weight of the propane cylinder and battery, I can easily detach them and load them into the trunk of my car.
You're a bit off with your calculations: 13% of my trailer's weight is less than 500 pounds, and to be precise, it's 477 pounds. As far as I understand, the tongue weight should be in the range of 10-15% of the trailer's weight. 10% of 3675 lbs is exactly 367 lbs. So, it looks like I just need to keep it within the range of 367-440 lbs to stay within the allowed limit for my car. As I understand it, I can always put something heavy in the back of the trailer (like a bottle of water, for example) to adjust the weight and keep the tongue weight within the desired range. Remember, all the calculations we made based on GWVR, so If I drive with empty tanks I should be below the limit definitely.
According to the sticker on my driver's door, my car's carrying capacity is 480 kg (1058 lbs), but I'm not quite sure why we need to consider the carrying capacity of my car. What does it have to do with this equation?
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