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Old 09-16-2022, 05:58 PM   #1
btheo_TrailMini
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Default Distributing front/rear cargo weight on a TM Mini. Porch ok?

Hi all.

I have a 2010 18' Mini, and I'm trying to reduce the tongue weight.
It would be amazing if I could load up cargo on the porch area, behind the axle, to offset some of it.

The previous owners warned against putting any cargo on the Porch/patio area. They claimed they had bent the rear left frame by having a generator out there during transit.

I'm trying to understand if thats a legit concern, or nonsense. Does anyone have experience here?

Thanks,
Blase


(Addt'l details)
The previous owners were complete idiots, so I'm not inclined to trust them. But that damage was there. And they seemed forthright in describing how it happened. But perhaps it was simply that it was too far left (rather than center).
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Old 09-16-2022, 09:48 PM   #2
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How big was the generator? Bought a Generac 3300i for my nephew and that only weighs 59.5 lbs. Where was it on the deck? I would think you could do that, but I don't have that version of TM for a proper amswer.
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Old 09-17-2022, 05:05 AM   #3
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As you proceed with reducing the hitch weight, you need to be aware that too little hitch weight is the major cause of trailer sway. You need to measure the weight of the camper and the hitch weight, in fully packed and ready to go condition. The absolute minimum hitch weight is 10% of the total trailer weight. TM builds most of their trailers with 14%. I don't know the specifics of your model, but I strongly suggest you maintain something around 14%.

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Old 09-17-2022, 08:37 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill View Post
TM builds most of their trailers with 14%.
Bill
Thanks Bill for that. And Thanks Kidraz.

Yes, but getting down to 14% is only doable if I put stuff on the porch. I'm planning to put about 150lbs of cargo on it, distributed pretty evenly (left to right), and flush against the wall, close to the axle. It feels very reasonable, except that I was explicitly warned against doing so by the previous owners. (Who again were idiots.)

Anyone know any TM Mini owners who I might DM?

Thanks!
Blase
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Old 09-19-2022, 01:39 PM   #5
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Not sure how far you want to go. The specs on the 2010 Mini say that the base weight (dry weight) is 1870 pounds, and the base (dry) hitch weight is 260 pounds, which is about 14% as expected. If you add, say, 500 pounds of "stuff" in the Mini, the loaded weight becomes 2370 pounds, and 14% of that is 330 pounds. That is still a pretty modest hitch weight. Are you trying to get lower than that by moving cargo aft?

You can measure the total ready-to-camp weight of the trailer in any number of places. CAT scales are everywhere for about $10 (look up locations at catscale.com). Your local landfill may have a scale - mine lets me use it as long as no one is waiting in line. Scrap metal recyclers often have scales.

Once you know the total loaded weight, do you have a way to measure hitch weight, so you can be sure you stay somewhere near the 14% target? An easy way is to lay down a 2x4, one end on a bathroom scale and the other on a brick. Put the hitch of the fully loaded TM exactly half way between the two contact points, and the scale will read half of the hitch weight.

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Old 09-19-2022, 04:12 PM   #6
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Bill said “CAT scales are everywhere…”

Yup, there’s an app for CAT scale locations and another for CAT scale weighing so you don’t even have to get out of the truck to record your weight.
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Old 09-20-2022, 10:13 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill View Post
If you add, say, 500 pounds of "stuff" in the Mini, the loaded weight becomes 2370 pounds, and 14% of that is 330 pounds. That is still a pretty modest hitch weight. Are you trying to get lower than that by moving cargo aft?
Bill
Hey Bill, Yes thats my goal. On the mini, the whole cabin is forward of the axle, with most of the storage space at the very front of the cabin. So while an evenly distributed 500lbs would be a total non-issue, the Mini's layout means most of that 500lbs converts to tongue weight. There is a narrow walkway towards the door with some space, but thats it.

If I could put stuff on the patio, I could just balance the load as needed. But without that option, the cargo layout gets really constrained.

Thanks for reading and your feedback as always.
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Old 09-20-2022, 03:15 PM   #8
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Quote:
On the mini, the whole cabin is forward of the axle, with most of the storage space at the very front of the cabin.
I understand, and you make a good point. Let us know how it works out.

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