I know there has been numerous posts of hitch weights, but just thought I would share our findings as a comparison. When we brought home our new trailer in July it had a full propane bottle and nothing else......tongue/hitch weight was 430 lbs
After all the inside mods completed, then loading everything from our previous 24 ft camper (and we still have one empty drawer), food, clothing, fresh water tank full, two full 5 gal drinking water bottles, and our Walker tent stored inside the camper for travel, plus the two outside aluminum storage boxes installed (and packed), again full propane bottle our weight came in at 500 lbs
Over the summer and 35 nights of boondock/dry camping, we have packed and re-packed, trying to #1 keep items easily accessible, and #2 keeping heavier items aft of the axel.......the T@B pulls like a dream, tracks very good on rough pot hole Forest Service Roads (and we have drug her on some ugly ones), plus on the highway at speeds of 110 km/hr ( ~68 miles/hr) bearly know it is behind us, as long as I don't look at the gas gauge 😩. We have not been able to get her on a scale yet to see what the total GVW is but hopefully some day.
These are the 2 aluminum tubs I installed (sorry for the poor picture......it was frosty out this morning, and looks like the camera lens frosted up😀)......BBQ, pails, outdoor games, campfire blankets, and other lighter items all stored here, and the tubs are weather proof
Looks like we have 10 days or so before the weather turns on us so hopefully get out for couple more nights, before the white stuff hits😀😀😀
Comments
cheers
Here is a video of how the Sherline scale is supposed to be used. Notice the wood stacked below the scale: https://www.etrailer.com/tv-review-sherline-trailer-tongue-weight-scale-5780.aspx
And secondly, never trust the manufacturer (regardless of who it is) to provide accurate tongue weights. Most of them provide one weight for a base model with no options. Almost inevitably the actual tongue weight when weighed correctly does not match the specs.
2015 Subaru Outback 3.6r (unsafe 200lb tongue weight limit until 2020 models)
2020 Subaru Outback XT
Pacific NW
Yes @rhyno, you are correct that the web site states 336 lbs......my scale is brand new, came with a calibration certificate, so I am fairly confident it is close, and no we do not have a microwave, just thought I would post my findings as a reference/comparison for anyone that is interested
Definition of Success….”moving from failure to failure without any loss of enthusiasm” (Winston Churchill)
(And this is why I harp on knowing your tongue weight so much, both here and on the FB groups. I guarantee we have a ton of owners who are significantly over where they should be for their tow vehicles.)
2015 Subaru Outback 3.6r (unsafe 200lb tongue weight limit until 2020 models)
2020 Subaru Outback XT
Pacific NW
2020 T@B 320 Boondock
Factory Victron Solar, Norcold 3 way Fridge
Clueless about everything electronic
2020 Subaru Ascent
Bainbridge Island, Wa
As mentioned above we have packed, and re-packed (and taken weight measurements) through out the summer, we have been as high as 530 lbs, so re-packed, re-distributed weight and now we have our packing down to an effective/easy routine that works for us and keeps our tongue weight at or below 500 lbs
Both our pickups are F-150's, and with most 1/2 tons are rated at 500/5000 (without WDH), and off the top of my head something like 1300 lb tongue and 11,000 lb (with WDH)......I asked Ford to explain those numbers when we had our last trailer (24 ft). The explanation they gave me was the 500/5000 was without a class 111 or 1V, and the ball mounted on the bumper (NUTS....I would not want to connect to the bumper) That all said both our pickups have factory installed class 1V hitches, and I am very confident in being at 500 lb hitch weight.
One other point most people forget about when looking at a TV capacity is how much weight dose it remove from your steering axe.......I do not have that kind of scale but I did measure the distance connected/not connected. With the T@B conected (500 lb tongue weight) the truck body set down 1/2" on the back axe, and raised the fount body 3/4" off the steering axels, we do not notice any difference in steering, driven in some real rain storms and all was good, so for us this set up works
But as said above I only posted this as a comparison, everyone's setup will be different, have fun and enjoy
Definition of Success….”moving from failure to failure without any loss of enthusiasm” (Winston Churchill)
2015 Subaru Outback 3.6r (unsafe 200lb tongue weight limit until 2020 models)
2020 Subaru Outback XT
Pacific NW
Here’s my perspective: I bought my 320 after being told by multiple owners that my then-current Outback could handle it. And to be fair, from an actual towing perspective, it was fine. But the tongue weight limit on that vehicle was 200 lbs, and the Boondock Lite that year weighs in at...just under 200 lbs with the tire behind the axle. I also have the Purpleline trailer mover installed behind the axle, which offsets some weight. But it meant that I was ALWAYS fighting to stay right at the limit, and honestly, having to constantly reshuffle everything to stay at that weight has spoiled a lot of my enjoyment in having the trailer. I would not have bought the trailer had I realized ahead of time that it would mean changing cars.
Lesson learned: most people when asked point blank don’t know what their tongue weight is. Worse yet, they think the dry weight specs are all they need to worry about, when loaded weight is often very significantly heavier.
I spent the last year debating what to do. Sell the trailer? Buy a new car? How much bigger do I really need? The one thing I did not consider was keeping the old Outback and 320 as a combo. It just was not a risk I was willing to take, not when I could personally be held fully liable in an accident if the tongue weight happened to be 10 pounds over the limit on that trip. Insurance claims are much easier to deny when you’re over the vehicle manufacturers stated limits for your car.
In the end, I bought a new Outback, which has a 350 lb tongue weight limit. I did so knowing I will never be able to safely put a bike rack or generator on the trailer tongue, and I’ll still have to watch my load a bit more carefully than Kracken will, for example with her larger SUV. But I’ll be able to move the spare tire forward into a better location in case it ever is actually needed, and up my battery capacity a bit without having to literally agonize over the weight change. My goal with the new car is to stay under 280 tongue weight, giving me a reasonable margin for error.
If I were in your shoes, I’d contact nuCamp directly and point them to this thread indicating a significant difference in tongue weight over their stated specs. Perhaps they can provide some insight on just why this particular 400 is so heavy, and what you can expect to see when weighing the one you have on order.
2015 Subaru Outback 3.6r (unsafe 200lb tongue weight limit until 2020 models)
2020 Subaru Outback XT
Pacific NW
Portland, OR
I remain unconvinced. Something isn’t right here. And given the 400’s previous model years’ issues with significantly heavier than stated average tongue weights...ugh.
(Edit: see further explanations below. Something still isn’t right, but weight at coupler versus jack probably isn’t part of the issue.)
2015 Subaru Outback 3.6r (unsafe 200lb tongue weight limit until 2020 models)
2020 Subaru Outback XT
Pacific NW
Seriously, though, for now I would assume Paul’s weight of 380 with LP is closer to accurate than the stated weight (though still under by at least a little), and I would bring a scale to the dealer when it’s time to pick up (or ask if the dealer has one to borrow). I would not leave the lot without knowing for certain that your vehicle can handle the loaded tongue. If unloaded proves to be closer to 400 rather than 356, you’ll know you need to balance your load more carefully, that’s all. If it ends up at 430 like Gbertrand’s, I’d be giving things a lot more thought at that point, because that’s a pretty dramatic difference over spec and it’s going to be harder to keep it below your 500 lb limit.
2015 Subaru Outback 3.6r (unsafe 200lb tongue weight limit until 2020 models)
2020 Subaru Outback XT
Pacific NW
cheers
2015 Subaru Outback 3.6r (unsafe 200lb tongue weight limit until 2020 models)
2020 Subaru Outback XT
Pacific NW
cheers. In one of the nüCamp release video’s an approximate wet weight was mentioned, if I remember correctly.
cheers
2015 Subaru Outback 3.6r (unsafe 200lb tongue weight limit until 2020 models)
2020 Subaru Outback XT
Pacific NW
cheers
Again I am unsure of the discrepancy, scale is new and calibrated.......I only posted my findings as an FYI for anyone curious, or concerned about 2021 400 BD tongue weight
Definition of Success….”moving from failure to failure without any loss of enthusiasm” (Winston Churchill)
Portland, OR
2015 Subaru Outback 3.6r (unsafe 200lb tongue weight limit until 2020 models)
2020 Subaru Outback XT
Pacific NW
cheers
2023 Honda Ridgeline RTL-E with Redarc Trailer Brake Controller
@ChrisFix........you are correct with your concerns of "jackknife" into the boxes, once installed I had my wife watch as did multiple maneuvers in a parking lot down the street, amazingly I was able to fully turn without hitting the boxes (but it was very close😀), however this was on level ground and pavement, something our little T@B rarely sees, so the concern was still there if I did a hard turn on uneven ground in the bush the bumper would come in contact with the boxes. I ordered an extra long 2" receiver https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch-Ball-Mount/Curt/D-26.html, and have had zero issues in the last 3 outings
Definition of Success….”moving from failure to failure without any loss of enthusiasm” (Winston Churchill)