Tongue Weight Question

[phatboy64]

I posted this in an old thread but figured I would post it on its own.

I have been going crazy and probably over analyzing this.
In the past I haven’t given tongue weight much though but now I am. I have a question on tongue weight. I have a cargo trailer that when loaded is just under 10k (9690 to be exact). My tongue weight is just over 17% according to the gauge on the hitch. I am running a weigh-safe WDH and pulling it with the truck in my sig. Is that 2% really going to be an issue? I could add some weight to the rear but that may put me over the total weight rating of the trailer.

 

[jsalbre]

17% is fine. The higher % of tongue weight, as long a you're not over your hitch or payload capacity, the more stable the trailer will be.

 

[phatboy64]

Thanks. I just looked into the hitch and was surprised. It is a Weigh-safe middle weight WDH rated at 12,500lbs but...the max tongue weight is 1,250lbs. that puts me over by ~350lbs. I made the assumption that if the WDH was rated at 12,500lbs it could handle the 10-15% tongue weight. Now I am scrambling to see how I can resolve this. I am moving and have to be on the road no later then Wed morning.....Weigh-Safe has a heaver rated hitch 2,200lbs of tongue weight. I am working with them on hopefully exchanging the two and paying the difference....I am in a real jam here...

 

[jsalbre]

Good luck getting the right hitch head!

 

[AH64ID]

Thanks. I just looked into the hitch and was surprised. It is a Weigh-safe middle weight WDH rated at 12,500lbs but...the max tongue weight is 1,250lbs. that puts me over by ~350lbs. I made the assumption that if the WDH was rated at 12,500lbs it could handle the 10-15% tongue weight. Now I am scrambling to see how I can resolve this. I am moving and have to be on the road no later then Wed morning.....Weigh-Safe has a heaver rated hitch 2,200lbs of tongue weight. I am working with them on hopefully exchanging the two and paying the difference....I am in a real jam here...

Yep, that’s normal. Just like the tow rating in your truck being made with 10% TW, so are all the hitch ratings I’ve seen.

This is why I reduced the TW on my 26’TT from 17% to 15% many years ago. It towed great at both percentages thou.

 

[phatboy64]

Good luck getting the right hitch head!

I have on on the way. rated at 2200lbs TW..