Tongue Weight Paranoia

[imstriker]

Ok, I am sure I am just being paranoid, but I would love for someone to make me feel better

I just about have me little trailer ready to roll. I hooked it up and took it for a spin around the neighborhood and it seems to hop a lot on the tongue. Maybe that is normal...

I pulled out my trusty bathroom scale (really scientific you know) and it weighs around 60 pounds on the tongue. The trailer is not very heavy to begin with, so this seems like it might be ok. No, the bathroom scale was not big enough to weigh the whole trailer. The trailer is a very simple 1/2" side with 1x2 spars and 1/4"ish luan top on a harbor freight.

As I said, maybe it is normal, just looking for reassurance. Else I might have to finally break down and buy that A/C unit, build a box, duct it, and plop it all on the tongue....

[madjack]

...please define "hop a lot on the tongue"...the tongue should be securely fastened to the ball hitch and not "hop" at all
madjack

[Alphacarina]

I suspect he probably means that his hitch is rattleing around . . . . and I suspect that tongue weight might be behind it

A general rule of thumb is a minimum of 10% of the total trailer weight on the tongue . . . . and surely your comlpete trailer is over 600 pounds?

Don

[madjack]

Don, that is why I asked for a clarification...I learned long ago the dangers of assuming ANYTHING...and yes, 10% is the desired number to shoot for (except for the Yurpeans)...
madjack

[imstriker]

Ok, I knew that would happen... The tongue is securely fastened to the ball, and not just strapped on with bungees (Should have thought of that, might have saved some build time.) It just seems to rattle a lot over bumps.

Honestly, I have no clue how heavy this thing is. There is not a lot to it so I doubt it is too far from 600. Maybe I should just throw some weight on the front just in case. Thanks for putting up with my clarification...

[imstriker]

Totally unscientifically, here is what I came up with:

2 sides at 50 pounds each= 100 pounds
12 spars at 4 pounds each = 48 pounds
Cross plywood at around 15 pounds x 2 = 30 pounds
1/4 luan at 25 pounds x 2 = 50 pounds
Window at 15 pounds = 15 pounds
Flooring 2x4s (32 ft x 1.28) = 41 pounds
Flooring Ply = 75 pounds
Harbor Freight Trailer Weight = 287 pounds
Tongue Jack = 20 pounds
Miscellaneous = 50 pounds

Total = 716 pounds

[TomW]

If you are near a truck stop that has certified scales take your trailer for a weighing session. Most scales only charge a few dollars, with a tear trailer you might get it for free. You might have to answer a few questions.

[bobhenry]

Don't want to insult any one but is there a chance you are pulling a 2" coupler on an 1 7/8 ball I did it for 2 years until I lost the trailer because it was loaded rear end heavy with my lawn tractor. That's how I learned . Thank goodness for safety chains.

[Alphacarina]

Don't want to insult any one but is there a chance you are pulling a 2" coupler on an 1 7/8 ball

That could very well be it!

If not, secure an extra 50 pounds on the tongue (or throw a bag of quickcrete on the floor inside the front of the trailer)and see if that alleviates the problem and report back

Don

[Dale M.]

It also could be that if its a receiver hitch you are to sensitive to "slop" in receiver hitch causing it to rattle... As a quick check to receiver rattle make a slim wedge of wood and gently slide it into bottom side of receiver to wedge it so insert can't rattle.... There is also a accessory you can buy to "clamp" insert so it can't rattle in receiver

I have a 1,400 pound car carrier (empty) that has about 150lbs on tongue empty and it WILL rattle inset in receiver when towed empty...

Dale

[Rob]

I thought I was having a bit of slop in the hitch when towing too. I adjusted some of the load in the cabin moving it forward. Took care of that problem in nothing flat.

[Dale M.]

If you want to get a "close" weight of TD in drive way or garage ... Raise one wheel up about 6 inches and get a length of 2x6 about three feet long..... Place center of 2x6 under center of wheel, place a block of 2x4 or 4x4 under one end of board, and place bathroom scale under other end of board, gently lower trailer on to "bridge"... Reading on scales should be about 1/4 total weight of trailer (considering what "tongue weight" is).. IF you BR scales goes to 300lbs, you can weigh trailer if it is less than 1200lbs total weight...

Dale

[jagular7]

Take the trailer off the ball. Grab the ball and move it with your hand. The ball will have some movement to it but this is not through the coupling bar, it's the bar in the hitch frame. Is this the same noise you hear with the trailer? To dampen it, some use little silicon in the hitch frame cavity to 'quiet' the metal to metal contact. Also check your pin. The pin should be little smaller than the hole, but not drastically smaller. Just tight enough to get it in.
If the ball is loose in any way in the coupling bar, tighten the nut underneath. I use a pipe wrench on the base of the ball (there should be a flat spot on the base lip of it). Then I have an adjustable wrench (24"+ size). Then I take a pipe and use it as a torque arm on the wrench. I sit on the ground, left hand (weaker) holds the pipe wrench on the ball and I pull with my right arm on the pipe and use my back to tighten the nut on the ball. It gets tight.
Next, check the tongue couple setup. Make sure its all tight. Couple bolted onto the tongue.

[imstriker]

Thank you everyone for the replies... I really appreciate it. I am going to try out that weighing trick right after I replace our bathroom scale which I destroyed in this process

In the meantime, I am biting the bullet and moving the axle back. I did not bother with the modification originally thinking I could get away with it. Just for margin of safety when packing, etc I am going to make the big move. So, at the moment, my poor trailer is up on jack stands with no axle attached anymore whilst I move it back. It looks like I can get about 5 inches farther back without having to take apart the entire assembly. Hopefully that will help matters.

[Alphacarina]

5 inches will make a big difference

You don't have any obvious issues with the hitch or the ball?

Don