Need hitch weight advise.
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10345
Printed Date: 16 May 2024 at 11:56pm
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Topic: Need hitch weight advise.
Posted By: rawest50
Subject: Need hitch weight advise.
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2017 at 7:06pm
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I bought a tongue weight scale. Checked it today. Right now probably 80% loaded and should be below 3,500 pounds for the trailer. I have load and sway control for my setup up. 10,000 pound. Tongue weight is a class II which is 350 pound rating. I am planning on moving/loading the remaining items behind the Pod axle then checking. Is this over kill or good practice? I guess all along I have been loading the tongue weight around 400 pounds. The Pod and jeep are perfectly level. Dealer did a great job in setting the load control. Pulls like the Pod like it is not attached. Any help appreciated. ------------- 2017.5 RPod 179 2017 Jeep Unlimited Wrangler 2017 Chevy Colorado Z71 Off Road Crew Cab 2 Weiner dogs Great wife puts up with my BS ❤️ Thoroughbred Racing. 
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Replies:
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2017 at 7:44pm
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Not sure I understand the question. You want about 10% to 15% of your trailer weight on your tongue. If your pod is at 3500 pounds, you want 350 lbs to 525 lbs on the tongue. Of course you can't go over your max tongue weight though. The lower the your tongue weight is compared to lthe trailer weight, the more likely you are have sway problems. So you're asking for trouble if your pod weighs 3500 lbs and your tongue weight is, say, 250 lbs; probably more so with a short-wheel base vehicle. TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: rawest50
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2017 at 8:08pm
My tongue weight I check today is 400 pounds. My Jeep has a class II hitch which is 350 pounds and as rated by my Jeep owners manual. With my sway and load control is 400 on the hitch okay or do I need to place more weight behind the trailer wheel to lighten the hitch weight but stay below 3,500 for the tow weight of the Jeep? ------------- 2017.5 RPod 179 2017 Jeep Unlimited Wrangler 2017 Chevy Colorado Z71 Off Road Crew Cab 2 Weiner dogs Great wife puts up with my BS ❤️ Thoroughbred Racing.
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Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2017 at 8:23pm
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A class II hitch is too light for your trailer. The 179 could easily get to 3500# so you should have 400-500# on the tongue. I recommend you get a Class III hitch installed. Even then you will want a WDH to smooth out the ride. Do not try to lighten the tongue by moving weight behind the axle. That is a recipe for dangerous sway and disaster.
------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2017 at 8:56pm
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+1
------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2017 at 8:57pm
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So your Jeep has a max tongue weight of 350 pounds. You can put a heavier duty hitch and/or a weight distributing hitch on the Jeep but your tongue weight can't exceed 350 lbs. regardless. Your max tow weight is 3500. If you know the weight of your trailer is 3500 pounds, by measurement, not by any kind of data plate or manual, and your tongue weight is 350 pounds you'll have 10% of the trailer weight on the tongue. That's good, and you should move things around in the trailer to get to that point, The problem is you are at THE max capacity of your Jeep. That's not a good place to be, but technically it should work. You should be aware though that the extra weight in you vehicle, like a rucksack, a passenger, a dog, all get deducted from your towing capacity. In terms of peace of mind going down the road, staying above 15 mph going up a long grade and emergency stopping, you're going to be better off with a heavier duty tow vehicle. People do what you're talking about and they get away with it almost all the time, but you're right on the edge. TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: rawest50
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2017 at 9:14pm
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I am going to purchase a new pickup later in the year. Just trying to take it easy and be safe at the same time. Thanks for the info. ------------- 2017.5 RPod 179 2017 Jeep Unlimited Wrangler 2017 Chevy Colorado Z71 Off Road Crew Cab 2 Weiner dogs Great wife puts up with my BS ❤️ Thoroughbred Racing.
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Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 17 Jul 2017 at 7:21am
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+2 ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: rawest50
Date Posted: 17 Jul 2017 at 7:22pm
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Feel better about the tongue weight. At 300 pounds now. Removed items we carried but did not need. Level looks great. Heading out on our longest trek so far. 500+ miles one way. I pray things go smooth. Taking our time and being careful. ------------- 2017.5 RPod 179 2017 Jeep Unlimited Wrangler 2017 Chevy Colorado Z71 Off Road Crew Cab 2 Weiner dogs Great wife puts up with my BS ❤️ Thoroughbred Racing.
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