Weighting Games

Galaxiedriver · 06-19-2013, 10:28 PM

Well, we got our new Cougar 31RKS. The Sunline is on the Camping World sales lot in Springfield, Missouri.

So, I have learned to have great faith in the technical expertise here so here goes.

Finally got our new Cougar 31RKS to the scales today. Here is the data:

I have not yet given this serious study but it looks like I am fine. Ford F 250.

Truck with no trailer Front 3940, Rear 3120, Total 7060

With Trailer hitched - Front wheels on scale 3580,
truck only on scales 8020, Trailer only on scales 6660. Calc truck rear 4440.

Truck GAWR front 4800, rear 6100, GVWR 10,000. Truck Tire press. front 65, rear 80

Tires - Trailer King ST Radial, ST 225/75R15 LR D, Max load dual 2200, single 2540 press. 65 psi

This tells me the hitch weight is 960. The hitch is an Equal I Zer 1200 so I am good here.

The truck and trailer are flat and level.

It also tells me that need to adjust the hitch to move some weight to the front of the truck.

What do the experts here think?

Poppy & Nana · 06-20-2013, 05:09 AM

Paul I can't help you with your calculations BUT I can tell you I too come here for advise knowing that the info given will be accuate and "friendly"!

Drivingmad · 06-20-2013, 12:29 PM

Are you familiar with "weight distribution hitches" & anti sway controls? Because I'm NOT. I've got all the parts just not sure how to set it all up.

Galaxiedriver · 06-20-2013, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drivingmad

Are you familiar with "weight distribution hitches" & anti sway controls? Because I'm NOT. I've got all the parts just not sure how to set it all up.

What brand is it? You should be able to find a manual on line.

Drivingmad · 06-20-2013, 01:23 PM

not sure of the brand, got it on "craigslist" and had to order new snap-up brackets for it as well as a new anti sway control.
Thanks anyway, maybe they have a "video" for it on YouTube. They've got everything else

jim44646 · 06-20-2013, 06:59 PM

If you can post photos of the components you have chances are someone can advise you on setup or where to find instructions.

Gene · 06-20-2013, 07:43 PM

Paul, I am not an expert but it sounds like you have it right.

Quote:

It also tells me that need to adjust the hitch to move some weight to the front of the truck.

That would be my thought too, to bring the weight on the front back to the unhitched weight. Only 360# difference is not a lot but may affect steering stability in wet or slippery conditions.

Drivingmad · 06-21-2013, 08:30 AM

Sure enough, went to "YouTube" and they have numerous videos on the correct way to set-up and adjust the entire weight distribution system.

**JohnB** · 06-25-2013, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Galaxiedriver

W

Finally got our new Cougar 31RKS to the scales today. Here is the data:

snip..

Truck with no trailer Front 3940, Rear 3120, Total 7060

With Trailer hitched - Front wheels on scale 3580,
truck only on scales 8020, Trailer only on scales 6660. Calc truck rear 4440.

Truck GAWR front 4800, rear 6100, GVWR 10,000. Truck Tire press. front 65, rear 80

Tires - Trailer King ST Radial, ST 225/75R15 LR D, Max load dual 2200, single 2540 press. 65 psi

This tells me the hitch weight is 960. The hitch is an Equal I Zer 1200 so I am good here.

The truck and trailer are flat and level.

It also tells me that need to adjust the hitch to move some weight to the front of the truck.

Hi Paul,

Yes, the truck is under all axle and GVWR ratings. Good.

You are light on the front end of the truck by 360#. Even with Fords new WD recommendations, this sounds light. Adding 1 to 2 washers of head tilt will move some more up front. Do not move any more weight than unhitched up front. However before I would adjust, are you fully loaded in the camper and in the truck bed the way you are going to camp? Ideal is to adjust on the fully loaded truck and camper.

The tongue weight of 960#, well, I cannot tell from what you gave us. Need some more info to find out if that number is correct or not.

When you say TT only on scale at 6,600#, is that just the 4 TT tires on the scale, truck still hitched OR the entire camper sitting on the scale unhitched including tongue jack on the scale and not truck hooked up?

If the camper is still hooked to the truck with the WD hitch engaged, it is going to change the axle weights as the WD hitch is moving weight around and you cannot get an accurate tongue weight unless you drop the WD bars.

To get tongue weight, this is a 3rd weight. TT and TV hitched but no WD bars on. Truck is bearing the dead weight of the camper. Then you can subtract the unhitched truck from the entire hitched truck on the scales with no WD and get an actual tongue weight.

Also you cannot get an accurate TT gross weight either with the WD bars hooked up. You can get axle loads, just not actual TT GVW. The WD will transfer some 120 to maybe the most 300# off the rear axle back onto the TT axles and mess up the scale reading "if" you are trying to get and actual laded GVW on the camper.

Hope this helps and glad to crunch more on the numbers as needed.

John

**JohnB** · 06-25-2013, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drivingmad

Sure enough, went to "YouTube" and they have numerous videos on the correct way to set-up and adjust the entire weight distribution system.

Hi, if you need help, ask away. And before that, ideally a picture of what what you have so the adjustments we state actually fit the hitch you have.