tongue weight

cuffer101 · 11-23-2011, 08:58 PM

Hi, I'm new to camper camping. We just bought a 2003 Sunline 2499 and I need to know what the tongue wt is. I found a Reese twin cam 1200# setup on Craig's List, but I dont know if it's overkill since the trailer only weighs 6300 lbs. Chuck

**JohnB** · 11-24-2011, 07:36 AM

Hi Chuck

Heading out camping but here is a quick note which should help you on most of what your asking on.

Your 2003 T2499 "empty" camper tongue weight is about 765 to 800#. When you fill the fresh tank, the water alone (no camping gear) will add about 200 ton 250# to the tongue. If you plan on hauling fresh water, this is the add.

When you fill the camper with camping gear and no water, expect a loaded tongue weight of 1,000# to 1,200#

Here is a pic of my Reese DC with 1,200# bars on my prior 2004 T2499 on my 2003 K2500 Suburban

Got to go now, out of time, be back on Sunday to answer more questions. Going camping. YEH!!! If you look in the towing forum here on the club, there is a post where I weighed a lot of folks campers tongue weights at our Meet and Greets. There are many T2499's in that list of actual loaded tongue weights. If you cannot find it, ask as other here know where it is.

Bottom line, the Reese 1,200# trunnion DC will do well by that camper and the 2003 T2499 has the A frame to handle it.

Heads up, the 1,200# hitch will work well with the camper, however that loaded tongue weight needs to be supported by the truck. Do not know what truck you are towing with. Can help with that too.

Congrats on your new camper. A nice coach you have there. Oh and Happy Thanksgiving.

John

cuffer101 · 11-24-2011, 12:08 PM

Thanks John for getting back to me. I filled out my info but I don't know where it went. Anywho, I have a 2011 GMC Sierra 1500. It's rated for maximum trailer wt of 9,600 lbs., GCWR of 15,000 lbs and axie ratio is 3.42. I drove tractor-trailer for 20 years but never pulled a camper, should be fun. I have a BMW K1200LT motorcycle, pull a Timeout camper trailer that weighs 4 to 500 lbs loaded. We have had alot of fun with it. '

Chuck

Hematite · 11-25-2011, 11:40 AM

As JohnB said, you will definitely need the 1200lb Twin Cam setup for the 2499. Your truck is more than adequate for the job. Follow the Reese setup instructions to the letter and you will have an extremely stable running combo.

cuffer101 · 11-25-2011, 04:33 PM

Rick, I hope so. I just noticed that the tires which I thought were 6 ply, are really 4 ply. I hope they hold up until I can get some 6 or 8 ply under the truck. We are not going that far this year, just to Americade and over to Fish Creek and Coles Creek up here in Northern NY.

Chuck

Poppy & Nana · 11-25-2011, 06:06 PM

Chuck...are you from the Adirondack area? There is a Meet & Greet at Nick's Lake weekend in September (28th & 29th 2012)...might want to keep the weekend open and come join us.....it is very laid back, not a whole lot of planned activities...just friends getting together......some go hiking, biking and kayaking....some go into town shopping...night time we all get together for pot luck dinners and good laughs.....

cuffer101 · 11-25-2011, 07:53 PM

Hi Kathy and Leo, Yes, we are just alittle north of plattsburgh, will keep those dates in the back of my mind, will try to get the time off.

Chuck and Terry

Hematite · 11-25-2011, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cuffer101

Rick, I hope so. I just noticed that the tires which I thought were 6 ply, are really 4 ply. I hope they hold up until I can get some 6 or 8 ply under the truck. We are not going that far this year, just to Americade and over to Fish Creek and Coles Creek up here in Northern NY.

Chuck

Yes, LT tires will contribute a noticeable improvement to directional stability of the truck as well as adding more load carrying capacity with higher pressure.
When you're on the highway, you'll have to check to be sure the Sunline is back there. Current 1/2 tons are amazingly capable within their towing limits. My F150 has almost the exact tow limit and it handles my new 8K boat and trailer with ease.

cuffer101 · 11-26-2011, 06:28 AM

I don't know about other 1/2 tons, but the GMCs are something else. My nephew is the parts manager at the local GMC dealer, he looked up the info on my truck. Said it has almost the same wt. and pulling power as his 3/4 ton. Couldn't believe it, had to check the computer twice to make sure.

Chuck

rebellious78 · 11-27-2011, 06:30 AM

The 1200's will be fine.. At one M&G we had our tounge weight measrued and it was 1100 lbs with our stuff in it. The reese dual cam is a awsome set up not problems yet.