Quote:
Originally Posted by MrCdnVegas
So now that I have gotten the trailer loaded and set up all I can say is the 550# TW they use is out to lunch.
First off 550# TW is at best 10% of the trailer loaded to 5500#, and every where I have read suggests 10%-15%. (Trailer GVW is 6000#, dry I was 4774# which of course did not include propane tanks and batteries.)
Second I have tried every thing under the sun and many hours re-arranging gear to balance the trailer (with and without fresh water) and the best tongue weight I can get is 780# with the trailer at 5500# (inc HWT 6 gal full but no other H2O).
This is with a single 12v and 2 20# propane tanks. As purchased with 2 6v batteries and 2 30# propane tanks I was at 870#.
Water in the fresh tank makes almost to difference to the TW, and only effects the overall trailer weight. Grey and black did seem to have effect but since you never leave home with them full, and in my case I dump before I leave the camp ground it is not practical to use any grey or black weight to try and reduce TW.
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Have you run your rig over the scales to see how well your TV is balanced? Scale your TV loaded as you would for a trip, passengers, dogs, etc. check how the weight is distributed front to rear. Now hook up the camper loaded for a trip and scale it and adjust for that same weight distribution ratio. IF you can't achieve that same ratio, then you may need the heavier spring bar.
The most important thing is to maintain a good balance in the distribution of the weight front to rear on the TV.
To heavy a spring bar or a spring bar that is cinched up tight will make your ride feel every expansion crack or bump through the seat of your pants.
What you want to achieve is a reponsive steering that doesn't give you any wander and confident feel to the braking.
I tow a 10500# trailer with a Hensley and 750# spring bars, i stopped in at Hensleys office last year because I thought I should have the 1000# spring bars. One of the guys came out to have a look at my rig and showed the the correct adjustment of my spring bars. I tried his set up and found that I had a better ride with steering that responded the way it should. What I did learn was I screwed up the measurement when I went from the Airstream to the Dutchmen and I needed a different draw bar to level out the trailer. Hensley just exchanged my draw bar at no charge and we had a great ride since.