So out of curiosity, for those who have tongue scales or other ways to determine their tongue weight, what's your tongue weight and what do you have in the camper when you took the weight?
I'll go first!
'22 T@B 400 Boondock - 380lbs - empty camper / mostly full propane tank / Jackit bike rack mounted
(OK, and yes, this is sort of related to my paranoia post about my tongue weight!)
----------------------------------------------------------
Jay and Kat
Tow vehicle: 2022 Jeep Gladiator Sport S + tow package
Camper: 2022 T@B 400 Boondock w/Norcold 3-way fridge
0 ·
Comments
The normal recommended tongue weight of any trailer is a minimum of 10% of the trailer’s total weight, so a 3,500 lbs trailer would need to have at least a 350lbs tongue weight. This in the minimum weight, a little more tongue weight is better to insure a stable towing setup. I shoot for 12%, and 15% is about max for the tongue weight. If the tongue Weight is greater than 15%, you need to shift some trailer weight back Behring the axle to a just the weight.
To answer your first question, my 2018 TaB 400 with empty propane bottle and 1/2 tank of water is 400lbs.
2020 nuCamp T@B 320S * Jeep Wrangler
I don't get worried about overloading the 3900gvwr of the T@b 400 or overloading the tongue weight. I have to actually watch the gross weight on my truck's drive axle. I have a heavy topper on it and when packed for camping I'm at the drive axles max rating. I'm sure there is some buffer room in the ratings but I still don't like to go over it. I've started putting a few of the heavier things in the 400 instead of the back of the truck. Those are numbers many people do not pay attention to. Just because your vehicle does not sag does not mean your way under the axle rating.
Last month was the first time I used a CAT Scale and it was super easy. I really do recommend people get not only their trailer weighed but also their tow vehicle.
2018 Nissan Titan Pro 4X "Big Bird"
Leadville Colorado
Jay and Kat
Tow vehicle: 2022 Jeep Gladiator Sport S + tow package
Camper: 2022 T@B 400 Boondock w/Norcold 3-way fridge
Loaded the camper for a 13 day 1542 mile round trip. Towing with a 2015 Tacoma access cab V6 prerunner with tow pkg. Weighted the camper and truck at Local Cat scale before leaving.
Trailer weight with all provisions and 5gal of water in freshwater tank with a tab of vinegar to sanitize. Also 4gal of distilled water for drinking. Full gas tank and extra propane tank and portable solar panel and two bikes in back of truck.
trailer wt 3340#
tongue wt 380#
truck wt 4680#
total combined wt 8020#
GVWR 5060# (5400# rated)
GCWR 8020# (10860# rated)
TWR 3340# (6500# rated)
On the first leg of trip had no sway control on hitch. Did not notice any problems with sway or squat on truck. Our last leg of trip I put on the Anderson sway control, could be psychological but it seemed to be more secure to me and to Laurie when she was driving. Usually drove in 4th gear unless in flat areas then put it in overdrive (D). We drove from Ohio to SC coast and averaged 14mpg with 13mpg in the mts and 14.5mpg on the flats.
As I stated in our first post I installed a bigger transmission oil cooler and it kept the pan transmission 20 degrees cooler on average. Also drove between 55 and 60 mph. Everybody else passed us but who cares we are retired. Everything on the camper worked fine and weather was great. Next big trip will be to Florida. Happy Trails to you. Sincerely Tim and Laurie
2018 Nissan Titan Pro 4X "Big Bird"
Leadville Colorado
Jay and Kat
Tow vehicle: 2022 Jeep Gladiator Sport S + tow package
Camper: 2022 T@B 400 Boondock w/Norcold 3-way fridge
St Catharines, ON
cheers
The we're are with a full fresh tank, the bikes in the tongue rack, and a fair bit of stuff in the bed and backseat of the Jeep...
I will say the camper pulled well, I didn't notice anything concerning. Of course, only having been towing for a whopping 16 months (and not all of those!) That's not saying much...
Jay and Kat
Tow vehicle: 2022 Jeep Gladiator Sport S + tow package
Camper: 2022 T@B 400 Boondock w/Norcold 3-way fridge