Trailer Tongue Weight

[jk_surgeonfish]

Hoping I get a few responses to this. I have a 99XJ and need some new rear leafs as the ones I have now are too soft for my 3 kids, cargo and then a trailer.

I am going to get them from Deaver and they need to know how much tongue weight I have. I already have calculated between 400-500 lbs of kids+cargo but not sure on trailer.

I don't yet have a real offroad trailer and wanted to know what most people have as far as tongue weight. I am guessing it should be kept under 150lbs for ease of moving around manually but I know that varies a lot with how much your trailer weighs.

So post up if you know what your tongue weight is for your off road trailer when loaded.

Thanks!

 

[goodtimes]

All depends on the trailer & what you put on it.

Something in the neighborhood of 10 - 15% of the trailer weight.

 

[jk_surgeonfish]

All depends on the trailer & what you put on it.

Something in the neighborhood of 10 - 15% of the trailer weight.

Thanks. I am aware of the 10 to 15% but not having a trailer at the moment is the reason I am asking for some feedback. I figure if most people say "around 150lbs" or whatever that number is then I have an idea of what I should plan for.

 

[JIMBO]

:sombrero: I always keep mine under 90lbs for maneuverability and trailer manners--

My trailer usually runs around 900lbs-

Good luck

:costumed-smiley-007:bike_rider: JIMBO

 

[jk_surgeonfish]

:sombrero: I always keep mine under 90lbs for maneuverability and trailer manners--

My trailer usually runs around 900lbs-

Good luck

:costumed-smiley-007:bike_rider: JIMBO

Nice setup and thanks for the reply.

 

[JIMBO]

:sombrero: Yes sir--thanx

Nice setup and thanks for the reply.

You have to remember that with almost any trailer that you PACK SUPPLYs/cargo-camping gear--you can strategically pack the heavier equip--BEHIND the trailer axle so the weight will FULCRUM the force applied to the tongue--and control the trailing action of the trailer--that's how I keep mine manageable !

Good luck

:costumed-smiley-007:wings: JIMBO

 

[Chris Cordes]

Check this out, it may help you get an idea of what you need in pair with its sister article. (Link included in the article below) As others have said it all depends on your setup. From someone who has moved a tongue heavy trailer don't overdo it. You want a forward bias but too much will ruin the handling and your day when you try to trolly the thing around.

http://expeditionportal.com/a-balancing-act-how-to-calculate-your-trailers-weight-and-balance/

 

[kmlacroix]

My thoughts on hitch weight. The (US)recommended hitch weight may be because of the latch type coupler in use on most trailers and a safety margin. Many or most European countries, i believe, uses 5%, also require an endorsement to tow, and mandatory slower speeds.

Using an off-road style hitch or a lunette(sp) creates a more secure connection because the weak point is not the latch on the coupler.

 

[jk_surgeonfish]

Check this out, it may help you get an idea of what you need in pair with its sister article. (Link included in the article below) As others have said it all depends on your setup. From someone who has moved a tongue heavy trailer don't overdo it. You want a forward bias but too much will ruin the handling and your day when you try to trolly the thing around.

http://expeditionportal.com/a-balancing-act-how-to-calculate-your-trailers-weight-and-balance/

Thanks Chris. I have read that article you linked awhile back but re-read it again. Someone commented in the article and put yet another link to an article about hitch weight in Europe. Was quite interesting to read. I think if I plan for around 100lbs or so I should be good. I don't think I will have more than 1000lbs of camping equipment. Now...if only they made an inexpensive diesel drop-in for my XJ.... LOL.

Thanks

 

[Martyn]

I'm reminded of the question " How long is a piece of string?". The question can't really be answered with any accuracy, in your case until you either have the trailer, you have decided which trailer you are going to get, or you have designed the trailer.

If you take Jimbo's trailer as a good example of a light weight trailer he's running 10% tongue weight at 90lbs. A Fleetwood with a front rack for a quad could have a tongue weight of 450 + lbs.

If you look at our Chaser trailer, the average tongue weight is around 110 lbs, but this varies due to the configuration on the tongue of the trailer. Nose box 60 lbs, fuel cans and holders 25lbs ( fuel 63lbs), water tank 20lbs (water 170lbs), deep cycle battery 65lbs (sometimes two). So the trailer can be easily optioned with around 470 lbs of gear, or not.

Depending on where the axle is placed and how much storage their is behind the axle the weight on the tongue can be counter balanced to some degree. A good comparison for axle placement is to compare our Chaser trailer to our Teardrop trailer, the Teardrop has the axle placed further back due to the side door on the main body. In this case the teardrop starts life with a proportionally heavy tongue weight which is counter balanced by placing the water tank, kitchen and fridge behind axle. But even after doing this the Teardrop design still leads to a heavier tongue weight.

 

[jk_surgeonfish]

I'm reminded of the question " How long is a piece of string?". The question can't really be answered with any accuracy, in your case until you either have the trailer, you have decided which trailer you are going to get, or you have designed the trailer.

If you take Jimbo's trailer as a good example of a light weight trailer he's running 10% tongue weight at 90lbs. A Fleetwood with a front rack for a quad could have a tongue weight of 450 + lbs.

If you look at our Chaser trailer, the average tongue weight is around 110 lbs, but this varies due to the configuration on the tongue of the trailer. Nose box 60 lbs, fuel cans and holders 25lbs ( fuel 63lbs), water tank 20lbs (water 170lbs), deep cycle battery 65lbs (sometimes two). So the trailer can be easily optioned with around 470 lbs of gear, or not.

Depending on where the axle is placed and how much storage their is behind the axle the weight on the tongue can be counter balanced to some degree. A good comparison for axle placement is to compare our Chaser trailer to our Teardrop trailer, the Teardrop has the axle placed further back due to the side door on the main body. In this case the teardrop starts life with a proportionally heavy tongue weight which is counter balanced by placing the water tank, kitchen and fridge behind axle. But even after doing this the Teardrop design still leads to a heavier tongue weight.

Thanks Martyn. I understand not having the trailer makes it difficult to assess but knowing avg of the chaser is helpful. Having a lifted XJ limits what I can tow just due to lack of power. With that I am trying to keep things on the lighter side for the total trailer weight. I think I will be fine letting Deaver Springs know that cargo will be around 450 including kids and then trailer tongue weight of 150lbs or less. I don't drive the XJ fast when towing and I should be able to arrange the load enough to prevent trailer sway.

Thanks!