Author: Rustler
Subject: Spreadsheet for Rpod & Tow Vehicle Loading
Posted: 17 Jun 2016 at 2:20am
I've continued to use my spreadsheet for determining loads for trailer and tow vehicle. At the end of June I'll be taking my first long trip with the camper. One question that has come up in my mind is how to determine the tongue weight. I know they recommend that around 10% of the camper weight should be supported by the tongue. But how can you measure that? One can assume there is weight on the tongue since the camper isn't doing a wheelie when the stabilizer jacks are retracted. But how can one prevent overloading the tongue?
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Subject: Spreadsheet for Rpod & Tow Vehicle Loading
Posted: 17 Jun 2016 at 2:20am
I've continued to use my spreadsheet for determining loads for trailer and tow vehicle. At the end of June I'll be taking my first long trip with the camper. One question that has come up in my mind is how to determine the tongue weight. I know they recommend that around 10% of the camper weight should be supported by the tongue. But how can you measure that? One can assume there is weight on the tongue since the camper isn't doing a wheelie when the stabilizer jacks are retracted. But how can one prevent overloading the tongue?
One solution I've come up with (but as yet not tested) involves using a regular 250 pound bathroom scale. I can support the tongue jack on a 3 foot long 2x6 board, one end of which is supported by a block of wood on the ground, the other end supported by the scale. If the tongue jack is at the 1/2 way location on the 2x6, then the scale will read 1/2 the tongue weight. So when I get 300 pounds tongue weight, the scale will read 150 pounds.
Has anyone come up with a better way to measure tongue weight short of getting a 350 pound capacity scale? Does my plan seem like it would work?
In any case here is the latest iteration of my loading summary:
Here's the loading plan:
Comments and suggestions would be welcome.