Should the tongue and camper be level when weighing tongue? My 10.0 always leans forward when pulling so I don't get how to weigh this accurately. If it is leaning forward it has to weigh more than sitting level. Confused, lol.
Ron
No, you weigh the tongue at the height just before it touches down on the ball. On my dual axle trailer the further down the tongue is, the less it weighs. And it is not just a minor amount either. 4" makes a big difference. I do believe you will find the same result with your single axle trailer.
Like I said in the other post, weigh the tongue at the same level as your ball is at. Easy Peasy. In all honesty both heights should be near level anyways. just because the truck might sink in the rear doesn't mean the trailer should be in a nose dive position.
Thank you!
My TV and tongue are always low. The camper pulls the TV down some so it does sit low where it hooks up. I guess this is OK. I could add different springs on the TV I guess but it never bottoms out.
It's usually best to get a riser for your hitch. That is more important for a dual axle trailer but still important nonetheless. A high nosed tow vehicle won't handle the best it can. It might seem just fine for now, and maybe it is, but things should be pretty balanced between the TV and TT for those unexpected moments on the road.
Your headlights won't be annoying either. If your trunk is sunk your lights shine into oncoming traffic. Proper springing and observing tongue weight limits should be adhered to.
But good luck and happy hauling to you!
I see now that it should be level but a hitch riser will weaken my tow, right? I mean it will cut down on the weight I can pull.
[p]I'd prefer to say that it helps correct one part of your problem. It would be best to correct the sag in the vehicle as much as possible and then raise or lower the ball with the right drop or rise. Anything that you do to correct the tongue height by only changing the ball height is simply a patch.
Weigh your tongue. Weigh you trailer. Keep the tongue weight under control. You may not have a sagging problem at all once you figure out your weights and different loading schemes i.e. adding more weight to the rear of the trailer.
Weigh first.[/p][p]
[/p][p]You know, it's like a lever with the fulcrum being the axle. If your tongue weight is heavy, shift more of the load to the rear of the axle. Did you know this? Forgive me if you did. Just trying to help.[/p][p]
[/p][p]What is the maximum tongue weight rating of your tow vehicle?[/p][p]
[/p]
Hi, I can find nothing that tells me what the max tongue weight of my car is (05 Merc Marquis). While you posted this I was getting the tongue weight. It is 107 lbs. When level the measurement for the car hitch is 15" The camper was 15 3/4" so not a big difference there. Maybe I just need to have different springs on my car. There is no night driving for sure. I would blind everyone going the other way. I do remember the guy telling me that I could pull up to 3500 pounds with this hitch so it was overkill when I had it put on.
Ron
The towing capacity is 1500lbs therefore I would assume 150lbs TW rating. Did you check your TW with the trailer fully loaded as if you were leaving on a trip? Do you normally carry a large load in your car?
Yes, it is fully loaded right now when I checked it. My owners manual says 2000 but on line it says 1500. I am under that 1500 anyway by a couple hundred pounds I would think. Just me and my wife and a cooler in car, everything else in camper. Thank you so much for your help.
I think there is some kind of heavy duty coil springs or something I can get too.
Well, I can't see how you would be overloaded. You must have worn out springs for whatever reason. I'd say you are as safe as you can be until you right that sagging issue. I'm sure you will feel a difference once you do.
I have a short history of exceeding tow ratings when I was a kid. A saggy backside is not very sexy....lol
Good luck and safe travels!
Thank you for all your help. The business that put on my hitch told me to hook it all up and drive it over and he will make sure all is well for me. I'll let you know what he says. Thanks again.
[quote source="/post/12699/thread" timestamp="1435355759" author="@ron10"]Yes, it is fully loaded right now when I checked it. My owners manual says 2000 but on line it says 1500. I am under that 1500 anyway by a couple hundred pounds I would think. Just me and my wife and a cooler in car, everything else in camper. Thank you so much for your help.
I think there is some kind of heavy duty coil springs or something I can get too.[/quote]not sure if replacement coils are available, but you could also look into air bags (firestone/air ride/etc.) cheap upgrade
edit...here you go...
http://www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Suspension/Mercury/Grand+Marquis/2005/F4107.html?vehicleid=20051013867
a shot of air and you will be all set
(http://www.etrailer.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/pics/F/4/F4107_1000.jpg"%20style="max-width:100%;)
Great idea, thanks.
+1 on the air bags suggestion. I put them on my '97 4Runner, which have a reputation for saggy rear springs, even with a 5000 lb tow rating. They really help level it out after attaching the TT.
-Graham
I used a 1994 Grand Marquis to to with for three years. I put the air bags on mine got them from Etrailer.com . Made a huge difference. The springs are just so soft on the grand marquis. Oh and on the tow rating I wouldn't worry about being close to the limit. Your 05 has more power, better trans, and way better brakes than my 94 had.
Thanks, I weight at CAT, cost 10 bucks. My manual says total for weight in car and towing should not exceed 6600 lbs. My total was 6140. I just feel better knowing for sure. Thank you all very much.
Ron