2720 "on a diet" hit the scales today

Brutus · 07-12-2013, 06:26 PM

Setup:
Removed LP gas tanks, awning, wardrobe.
Group 24 battery sitting in the rear storage area. (So essentially a "naked" front end.)
Has aftermarket swingaway/removable front end. Car Show hires this out locally.
Has aftermarket rear hitch. Car Show hires this out to someone else locally.
14" spare tire sitting in its usual spot.
Moved loaded cabinet to where wardrobe used to be.
No water loaded. Three sleeping bags in forward storage.

Step 1: TV on scale hooked up to TM = 4970 pounds
Step 2: TM axle only thing on scale = 2820 pounds
Step 3: Get out of the way. Unhitch. TV by itself = 4610 pounds

So we get tongue weight => Step 1 - Step 3 = 360#
Rear axle can take another 3500 - 2820 = 680# of load.
TM weight => Step 2 + Tongue Wt = 3180#

Got these numbers in prep to take delivery of an Audi Q5 TDI in a few months. Q5 is rated 4400# tow/440# tongue. Trading in our "mule" body-on-frame Frontier pickup.

Other thoughts: One full LP gas tank tipped the scales at 30#.
First owner had a pair of 65# 6v golf cart batteries up front
So initial tongue weight was roughly 360 tongue+60 LP+130 bats = Quite a bit...

Just passin' along the info FWIW...

r/
Pat

Edit: Tongue weight sitting around 11%. No sway noted.

Brutus · 07-13-2013, 07:03 AM

...and yes I realize this isn't a loaded-ready-to-go weight, but now I know how much weight I can add and where to place it...

TrailManorMan · 07-13-2013, 12:55 PM

Good to know

Brutus · 07-13-2013, 02:23 PM

Thanks much TMMan. I've just never seen anyone one post numbers on here close to those advertised on the TM website (for obvious reasons).

Will probably put her on the scales later at "full weight", but for now I'm more interested in the Audi Q5's axle and payload ratings. Adding up humans, dog, beer, 360# tongue weight (more when the TM is loaded), and stuff in back and on roof rack, it could get interesting. For the 2-3 weeks of camping we do each year, it'll be good enough. At least we'll have the TDI's 428 ft-lbs of torque. Just have to see how that rather shortish 110.5" WB does...

trailbiker · 07-13-2013, 03:23 PM

Brutus, Do you know how much your awning and ac weighed?

Brutus · 07-13-2013, 09:51 PM

11.5' awning weighed 52 pounds. A/C is still on camper so don't know for sure. (FWIW, Wardrobe cabinet weighed in at 31 pounds.)

Mr. Adventure · 07-23-2013, 05:32 AM

Your info on the weights of the add-on components is interesting. We've all been wondering how these things get from the brochure weight to 4000#.

Weighing is the only way to find out for sure where you are. But, manufacturer ratings are still just guidelines, not hard boundaries that define success or failure. I'm a fan of taking it easy when towing because there are too many variables and too little data. The data we have suggest that it's easy to overload 14" tires on a 2720 (possibly easier than some of the tire sidewall labels indicate), and it can be challenging to get the weight distributing hitch to work as well as it should as a result.

When you weigh, it takes 3 passes at the Cat scale where you can have your axles on separate scale segments to get separate weights for each:

1 - Hitched vehicle with WDH set up properly
2 - Hitched vehicle with WDH slacked
3 - Tow vehicle only

Tongue weight is the difference between the tow vehicle only and the tow vehicle with the hitch slacked. Trailer weight is the tongue weight plus the axle weight with the WDH slacked.

Brutus · 07-23-2013, 08:48 AM

Good points on the WDH. I didn't mention that I don't use one with the Frontier, so mine is just a plop-it-on-and-see-what-it-reads affair...

07-23-2013, 04:18 PM

We just pulled 4000 miles and trailer was ok, but sure a load on our Isuzu. Some of the inclines 7 degrees, was a load for it, but it pulled it. Coming home, I felt the transmission chattering. I took it in and it needs to be rebuilt. Mechanic would not rebuild the transmission unless I upgraded the converter. Total bill 1800. I also have a tranny cooler on it. Still a lot cheaper than buying a new truck. Weight was the factor, I am sure, eventhough the Weight it can handle is 4500 lbs. Again, if I get a few years out of it and have to do it again (rebuild tranny), sure cheaper than a new vehicle. Motor is great shape. Not too much into spending money on cars. They are just another useful tool in life.

Brutus · 07-30-2013, 07:33 PM

I hear ya John. Main thing is enjoy life while you can, and a 4000-mile TM trip definitely qualifies! Also, an $1800 tranny rebuild is still cheaper than the depreciation on any newer TV.

And another FWIW weight item for the group-at-large: The 14" spare tire weighed in at 42 pounds. Don't need to stick it on the TV's roof rack (yet), but the option is there if need be....