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rollinstone
Senior Member Joined: 07 Jul 2013 Location: Seattle Status: Offline Points: 135 |
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Posted: 09 Sep 2013 at 3:59pm |
On my recent trip I stopped at a truck scales to weigh the rig. I drove onto the scale with just the TV wheels on the scale and the Pod on the hitch: 5,200 lbs.
I pulled forward with just the Pod wheels on the scales: 3,100 lbs. A month ago I weighed the TV by itself: 4,700 lbs Not sure how to interpret these numbers, but would my hitch weight be 5200 - 4700 = 500 lbs? |
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Rollinstone
2014 Draggin'Pod 178 '97 Explorer 5.0L AWD |
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Sleepless
Senior Member Joined: 08 Jun 2013 Location: Titusville, FL Status: Offline Points: 149 |
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There are too many variables that can affect the weight of the vehicle. Part of it is obviously the tongue weight of the trailer, which can be affected by the amount of water and propane in your tanks, how the pod is loaded, etc. The weight of your TV can also be affected by the amount of gasoline in the tank, the number of passengers, what is being carried in the TV, etc.
Bob |
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2014 R-Pod 178 (OUR POD}
2009 Chevrolet Avalanche |
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rollinstone
Senior Member Joined: 07 Jul 2013 Location: Seattle Status: Offline Points: 135 |
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Thanks, Sleepless...yes, you are right...there are a ton of variables when addressing weight and the effects on one's TV and ultimately one's overall trip. However, the issue here is determining tongue weight once the TV and Pod are loaded for a trip. When you get that tongue weight measurement it informs you whether you need to adjust your load.
I was just wondering, given the numbers I came up with when weighing my TV and Pod under these particular conditions, if my conclusions are accurate? I know a bathroom scales can be used to measure tongue weight. And I read somewhere that truck scales used in the manner I outlined above can measure tongue weight. I just wasn't sure if I got it right. How, besides the bathroom scales method, have others of you measured tongue weight? |
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Rollinstone
2014 Draggin'Pod 178 '97 Explorer 5.0L AWD |
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Sleepless
Senior Member Joined: 08 Jun 2013 Location: Titusville, FL Status: Offline Points: 149 |
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Truck scales and bathroom scales are the only 2 methods I have used. With the pod and its light tongue weight, I have only used our bathroom scales.
Bob |
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2014 R-Pod 178 (OUR POD}
2009 Chevrolet Avalanche |
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rollinstone
Senior Member Joined: 07 Jul 2013 Location: Seattle Status: Offline Points: 135 |
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This is what I was looking for:
http://www.etrailer.com/faq-how-to-determine-trailer-tongue-weight.aspx So, under the specific conditions of load and weight at the time: 5200 (TV + tongue weight) - 4700 (loaded TV weight) = 500 (Tongue Weight) This revelation under these conditions tells me I should consider a weight distribution system. Thoughts? |
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Rollinstone
2014 Draggin'Pod 178 '97 Explorer 5.0L AWD |
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Kenn
Senior Member Joined: 15 Jan 2010 Location: Fort Drum, NY Status: Offline Points: 612 |
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I would use one in your scenario. However, if you decide to get a 1/2 ton truck or bigger, then you could probably [depending if you have too much sway] get away without one.
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2010 RPOD 176 (Silly-POD), 2011 Forest River Stealth 2612, and 2014 Forest River XLR 380AMP |
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rollinstone
Senior Member Joined: 07 Jul 2013 Location: Seattle Status: Offline Points: 135 |
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I'm looking at the Ford Expedition...the Explorer is OK, but I think the Expy will make the ride much easier. Got a sway bar and really notice the difference when an 18-wheeler blasts by...and this summer ran into some serious cross winds that handled it nicely.
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Rollinstone
2014 Draggin'Pod 178 '97 Explorer 5.0L AWD |
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furpod
Senior Member Joined: 24 Jul 2011 Location: Kentucky Status: Offline Points: 966 |
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I am not sure your measurements with that method are correct. The tongue weight is to be measured at the tongue, and is not a reduction number from axle weights. The reason is there is more lever length to the axles than just to the tongue.. this is HOW a WDH works to transfer weight. I would deffinatly try weighing the tongue weight with the scale method. If your tongue weight is actually 500lbs or more, with a trailer weight of 3100lbs, you need better load distribution, not a WDH..
OH, and, an Expedition does a fine job of towing the Pod.. |
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rollinstone
Senior Member Joined: 07 Jul 2013 Location: Seattle Status: Offline Points: 135 |
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@Furpod...I agree...seems like 500 lbs is a lot of tongue weight...honestly, the pod was darned near empty...just a few things in the frig, NO water in the fresh water tank...black/grey empty...small clothing bag. My trailer weight placard allows me up to 880 lbs of payload and I'm sure I had less than 100 lbs aboard.
I'll put my wife's bathroom scale under the jack this weekend and see what we get...(then go buy her a new scales) |
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Rollinstone
2014 Draggin'Pod 178 '97 Explorer 5.0L AWD |
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Marwayne
Senior Member Joined: 18 Oct 2010 Location: Alberta Status: Offline Points: 218 |
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Just put a piece of 2x6 or 2x8 across the scale, it should be fine.
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If you want something done right, do it yourself!
2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra Limited 5.7 Litre |
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