3124KS Tongue Weight

davlin · 08-21-2013, 10:17 AM

Since we were loaded up to go camping, I decided that would be a good time to check the tongue weight on our 3124KS. We always travel with the water tanks empty, and we had one propane bottle only one-quarter full. You can see how I (over) compensated for that in the photos below.

I used the "bathroom scale" method talked about in other threads, with a one foot to three foot ratio. That means I needed to multiply the result on the scale by 4 to get the total weight.

With one partially empty propane tank, the scale read 146 lbs., which is actually 584 lbs. By adding 25 lbs. to the top of the partially full tank (see photo), the tongue weight increased to just at 600 lbs.

We haven't had any real issues towing this trailer without a WDH, but the fact is that I am exceeding the maximum allowable tongue weight for my TV hitch (500 lbs.). I guess I'll have to go shopping after this trip.

Dave

08-21-2013, 10:56 AM

I have been preaching that for over a year now. Folks think that if the TV's rear end does not hit the ground they are good to go. I keep saying--look at the allowable rating of your hitch as most are 500. Good for you!

Dave

Brutus · 08-21-2013, 11:06 AM

Knowledge is indeed power!

**Bill** · 08-21-2013, 04:40 PM

Dave -

Not meaning to question your method or results, but your first photo sure does look like 3:1 rather than 4:1. Please tell me I'm wrong.

Bill

Brutus · 08-21-2013, 05:08 PM

You're wrong.

I'd offer that a 3:1 ratio equation, i.e post 2 feet from the scale yields (146*3) = 438 which is well below the listed TM dry tongue wt of 490 lbs for a 3124KS.

**ShrimpBurrito** · 08-21-2013, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brutus

You're wrong.

I'd offer that a 3:1 ratio equation, i.e post 2 feet from the scale yields (146*3) = 438 which is well below the listed TM dry tongue wt of 490 lbs for a 3124KS.

Tongue weight can be negatively effected by what's aft of the axle. Put a 500 lb gorilla in the back of the TM, and I bet I can pick up the tongue with one hand, if it already isn't pointing to the sky.

Dave

Brutus · 08-21-2013, 05:27 PM

Very true Dave, but since Bill said "Please".

Edit: And the scale reads 146#, regardless of how many fun-loving animals are being stowed aft of the axle. Pictures are deceiving. Davlin will have to weigh-in on the post-to-scale distance and whether he's carrying a circus aft of his axle...

davlin · 08-26-2013, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brutus

Very true Dave, but since Bill said "Please".

Edit: And the scale reads 146#, regardless of how many fun-loving animals are being stowed aft of the axle. Pictures are deceiving. Davlin will have to weigh-in on the post-to-scale distance and whether he's carrying a circus aft of his axle...

"Davlin will have to weigh-in"? I love it!

Post-to-scale distance is 3 feet. Multiplier is 4. Tongue weight is 146 x 4, or 584 lbs. Right at 600 with two full propane tanks.

I initially liked the idea of the gorilla, but then realized I would probably have to feed him. I also thought of completely filling the aft compartment with lead, but decided it would probably easier to get a WDH. Thanks of all the good ideas, though.

Dave

12-10-2013, 09:50 AM

I have been towing my 2011 2720, dry water tank and probably had two propane tanks and only one with about 1/4 load of propane. Stopped at a truck scale and with the trailer unhitched the weight on the tongue jack was 540 pounds with 2880 on the axle, total weight was 3420. That said, when I weighed the combined vehicle (2005 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew cab 4x2) I got 2720 pounds on steer axle, 3020 on rear axle, trailer axle was 2940 (60 pound more than trailer weighed alone??) Total combined weight was 8680 lbs. I have not been using a WDH, but based on this may as I think my hitch said 600 lbs, but not sure right now. No problems so far.

davlin · 12-14-2013, 10:13 AM

Hawkeyez,

You'll want to double-check (or "daaable-check" if you're a Packers fan) the tongue weight rating on your hitch. If it truly is 600lbs without a WDH, you should be good to go. More commonly, standard Class V hitches have a 500lb rating without WDH, and a bigger number (800, 900, etc.) with WDH. I was having absolutely no problems towing my 3124KS without a WDH, but once I learned that was about 20% over the capacity of the tongue weight on my hitch, I bought one.

Dave