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Tongue Weight [message #260652]

Mon, 01 September 2014 17:25

mickey szilagyi

Messages: 273
Registered: January 2013

Karma: 0

Senior Member

Read a bunch on the forum about tongue weight. When towing best tongue weight is 10% of towed load. But, what is the maximum safe tongue weight? I realize it probably depends on what you have loaded in the coach at the rear, like a full fresh water tank etc but there must be a general maximum tongue weight. I read 300 lbs but there's nothing in the operating manual.

At times we'd like to utilize a cargo carrier for extra space. Any comments on them and the weight we can carry? Many of the cargo carriers are rated to carry up to 500 lbs. Is that too much on the back of our 77 Kingsley? We have a heavy duty 2 inch receiver hitch.

Thanks as always,

Mickey 1977 Kingsley, 403, Lansing, MI

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Re: [GMCnet] Tongue Weight [message #260656 is a reply to message #260652]

Mon, 01 September 2014 17:44

k2gkk

Messages: 4452
Registered: November 2009

Karma: -8

Senior Member

Well, I expect "Mr U-Haul" Bob de Kruyff may come in to respond, but here's my best info. Your hitch SHOULD state the maximum hitch weight. Most stock pickup and other bumpers that will accept a ball will state 500#. I believe a 2" receiver hitch will also be at least a Class III and will be good for 500#. Class IV and V _MAY_ go 1,000# or even more. I would try to keep any load at the tail end of a GMC MH as light as possible to avoid "tail wagging the dog" effects. Think high volume, low weight loads.

Again, Bob de K is probably our most competent authority on this stuff.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
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~ ~ ~ Oklahoma City, OK ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ ~ "The Money Pit" ~ ~ ~~
~ ~ ~ ~ TZE166V101966 ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ '76 ex-Palm Beach ~ ~ ~
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> Date: Mon, 1 Sep 2014 16:25:06 -0600
> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> From: mickey@apex-internet.com
> Subject: [GMCnet] Tongue Weight
>
> Read a bunch on the forum about tongue weight. When towing best tongue weight is 10% of towed load. But, what is the maximum safe tongue weight? I
> realize it probably depends on what you have loaded in the coach at the rear, like a full fresh water tank etc but there must be a general maximum
> tongue weight. I read 300 lbs but there's nothing in the operating manual.
>
> At times we'd like to utilize a cargo carrier for extra space. Any comments on them and the weight we can carry? Many of the cargo carriers are
> rated to carry up to 500 lbs. Is that too much on the back of our 77 Kingsley? We have a heavy duty 2 inch receiver hitch.
>
> Thanks as always,
> --
> Mickey
> 1977 Kingsley, 403, Lansing, MI
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist

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Re: Tongue Weight [message #260690 is a reply to message #260652]

Tue, 02 September 2014 08:14

Matt Colie

Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan

Karma: 7

Senior Member

mickey szilagyi wrote on Mon, 01 September 2014 18:25

Read a bunch on the forum about tongue weight. When towing best tongue weight is 10% of towed load. But, what is the maximum safe tongue weight? I realize it probably depends on what you have loaded in the coach at the rear, like a full fresh water tank etc but there must be a general maximum tongue weight. I read 300 lbs but there's nothing in the operating manual.

At times we'd like to utilize a cargo carrier for extra space. Any comments on them and the weight we can carry? Many of the cargo carriers are rated to carry up to 500 lbs. Is that too much on the back of our 77 Kingsley? We have a heavy duty 2 inch receiver hitch.

Thanks as always,

Mickey,

I view of the fact that people have stretched 26' coaches by 5' with no change to the rear suspension. I can't believe that 500# on a stock coach would make any difference at all.

We are possibly a less than representative sample but, we have one of the famous "Thru the Bumper" receivers and an HF aluminum cargo hauler. We have loaded it to 500+ on more than a few occasions. Admittedly, with a light 23' we may not be the best case, but other than the air pump starting with the key, I don't even know it is back there. I always travel with full water.

Matt

Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit

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Re: Tongue Weight [message #260692 is a reply to message #260690]

Tue, 02 September 2014 08:28

Ken Burton

Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana

Karma: 10

Senior Member

I carry a 450 pound motorcycle on my through the bumper hitch and do not even know it is back there. I occasionally look in the mirror to see if it is still there.

Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana

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Re: Tongue Weight [message #260702 is a reply to message #260652]

Tue, 02 September 2014 11:02

mickey szilagyi

Messages: 273
Registered: January 2013

Karma: 0

Senior Member

Matt and Ken, music to my ears. I thought the same thing - people have stretched the coaches and don't seem to have a problem. Matt, we're considering the HF aluminum cargo carrier - September super coupon for $69.99. Any problem with the aluminum carrier?

Thanks!

Mickey 1977 Kingsley, 403, Lansing, MI

[Updated on: Tue, 02 September 2014 11:04]

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Re: Tongue Weight [message #260705 is a reply to message #260702]

Tue, 02 September 2014 11:20

A Hamilto

Messages: 4508
Registered: April 2011

Karma: 39

Senior Member

mickey szilagyi wrote on Tue, 02 September 2014 11:02

Matt and Ken, music to my ears. I thought the same thing - people have stretched the coaches and don't seem to have a problem. Matt, we're considering the HF aluminum cargo carrier - September super coupon for $69.99. Any problem with the aluminum carrier?

Thanks!

You also need to consider the loadbearing capability of the structural members that the hitch is attached to. And the fulcrum effect it has on lifting the front end. Recently someone asked about 750 pounds on the rear bumper. I did a quick check on the dimensional drawings and figured that 750 pounds on the rear bumper REMOVES more than 400 pounds from the front axle. The total increase on the rear suspension would therefore be over 1100 pounds in that case.

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Re: [GMCnet] Tongue Weight [message #260707 is a reply to message #260702]

Tue, 02 September 2014 11:19

James Hupy

Messages: 6806
Registered: May 2010

Karma: -62

Senior Member

Some of the coaches are stretched ahead of the bogies. Wig wag effect is
less with that version. If you load behind the rear bumper the gross
amount of two large people, it will have an accumulative effect over time
on the bogie pins and bushings. But all stuff wears out, even us. Maybe we
will wear out before they do.(grin)
Jim Hupy
Salem, Or
78 GMC ROYALE 403
On Sep 2, 2014 9:03 AM, "Mickey Szilagyi" wrote:

> Matt and Ken, music to my ears. I thought the same thing - people have
> stretched the coaches and don't seem to have a problem. Matt, we're
> considering the HF aluminum cargo carrier - September super coupon for
> $69.99.
>
> Thanks!
> --
> Mickey
> 1977 Kingsley, 403, Lansing, MI
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
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Re: Tongue Weight [message #260722 is a reply to message #260702]

Tue, 02 September 2014 15:57

Matt Colie

Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan

Karma: 7

Senior Member

mickey szilagyi wrote on Tue, 02 September 2014 12:02

Matt and Ken, music to my ears. I thought the same thing - people have stretched the coaches and don't seem to have a problem. Matt, we're considering the HF aluminum cargo carrier - September super coupon for $69.99. Any problem with the aluminum carrier?

Thanks!

Mickey,

None that was not caused by backing into something. As said, it has carried at least 500# for several thousand miles.
I also glued some steel sheet to the corners so I could stick on the also-on-sale-for-9.99$ lights.
If you are going to carry random stuff, also get the also-on-sale-for-9.99$ cargo ratchet straps. I hate them because the tangle so easily, but they sure do work great.

Matt

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Re: Tongue Weight [message #260784 is a reply to message #260722]

Wed, 03 September 2014 01:36

Ken Burton

Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana

Karma: 10

Senior Member

I also have a second set of lights that I made using both magnet and clips. They go on my motorcycle carrier and also on my tray. I have had the steel tray (not from Harbor Freight) for many years. I have used it for hauling many things. I can not say that the aluminum one is better since the steel one does not wight very much. It is maybe 25 pounds. I do not like the looks of the Harbor Freight steel carrier. I have never looked at the aluminum one.

Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana

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Re: Tongue Weight [message #260788 is a reply to message #260652]

Wed, 03 September 2014 06:24

mickey szilagyi

Messages: 273
Registered: January 2013

Karma: 0

Senior Member

Thanks again everyone. We'll be heading to HF later this week or next. We'll check out the lights and straps. I was wondering about the tail light situation and thinking the HF aluminum cargo carrier wasn't wide enough to block the MH lights but putting some on the carrier is a good idea anyway. We are working on the hitch this week and need to rewire the trailer light harness. The PO ran a different set of wires but there's no plug so we are thinking of starting up front and rewiring the whole length front to rear with a decent plug.

All your help and comments are greatly appreciated.

Mickey 1977 Kingsley, 403, Lansing, MI

[Updated on: Wed, 03 September 2014 06:24]

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Re: Tongue Weight [message #260793 is a reply to message #260788]

Wed, 03 September 2014 08:07

Matt Colie

Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan

Karma: 7

Senior Member

mickey szilagyi wrote on Wed, 03 September 2014 07:24

Thanks again everyone. We'll be heading to HF later this week or next. We'll check out the lights and straps. I was wondering about the tail light situation and thinking the HF aluminum cargo carrier wasn't wide enough to block the MH lights but putting some on the carrier is a good idea anyway. We are working on the hitch this week and need to rewire the trailer light harness. The PO ran a different set of wires but there's no plug so we are thinking of starting up front and rewiring the whole length front to rear with a decent plug.

All your help and comments are greatly appreciated.

Mickey,

The carrier is not nearly wide enough to block the coach's taillights. But I tend to consider the following drivers as a worst case. I once had a driver that had been tailgating for several miles punch out his windshield and damage the back of the van by hitting a mast that had only a 1'square red flag on it. So, anything I can do to get the attention of the follower is worth the effort.

Matt

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Re: [GMCnet] Tongue Weight [message #260795 is a reply to message #260788]

Wed, 03 September 2014 08:26

sgltrac

Messages: 2797
Registered: April 2011

Karma: 1

Senior Member

Mickey,
Do not buy a trailer harness
Kit from HF. I rewired my small yard trailer with one and it was an absolute joke. The wire was sooo small and weak that the ends could not be bared without considerable delicacy or the wire would just come off with the casing. Once hooked up it only worked for short while and then the wires broke near the plug. Just re did it last weekend with a good wire set from six robblees.

Todd Sullivan

Sully
77 royale
Seattle

> On Sep 3, 2014, at 4:24 AM, Mickey Szilagyi wrote:
>
> Thanks again everyone. We'll be heading to HF later this week or next. I was wondering about the tail light situation and thinking the HF aluminum
> cargo carrier wasn't wide enough to block the MH lights but putting some on the carrier is a good idea anyway. We are working on the hitch this week
> and need to rewire the trailer light harness. The PO ran a different set of wires but there's no plug so we are thinking of starting up front and
> rewiring the whole length front to rear with a decent plug.
>
> All your help and comments are greatly appreciated.
> --
> Mickey
> 1977 Kingsley, 403, Lansing, MI
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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Sully 77 Royale basket case. Future motorhome land speed record holder(bucket list) Seattle, Wa.

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Re: [GMCnet] Tongue Weight [message #260797 is a reply to message #260784]

Wed, 03 September 2014 09:12

USAussie

Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia

Karma: 6

Senior Member

Ken,

I have the HF aluminum tray from HF and I used it last year to carry a Dometic roof air over to Jackson, MS for Tom Phipps. I went
to Home Depot in Branson, MO and bought a contractors box that fit PERFECTLY into the carrier. I put well over a hundred pounds of
"stuff" in it and made it back to Humble, TX no problem.

Double Trouble has one of Blaine Merrill's through the bumper hitches, I reckon you could hang just about anything on that sucker!

Regards,
Rob M.
The Pedantic Mechanic
USAussie - Downunder
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428

-----Original Message-----
From: Ken Burton

I also have a second set of lights that I made using both magnet and clips. They go on my motorcycle carrier and also on my tray.
I have had the steel tray (not from Harbor Freight) for many years. I have used it for hauling many things. I can not say that the
aluminum one is better since the steel one does not wight very much. It is maybe 25 pounds. I do not like the looks of the Harbor
Freight steel carrier. I have never looked at the aluminum one.
--
Ken

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Regards, Rob M. (USAussie) The Pedantic Mechanic Sydney, Australia '75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428 '75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426

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Re: Tongue Weight [message #260937 is a reply to message #260788]

Thu, 04 September 2014 23:04

Bob de Kruyff

Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ

Karma: 1

Senior Member

mickey szilagyi wrote on Wed, 03 September 2014 05:24

Thanks again everyone. We'll be heading to HF later this week or next. We'll check out the lights and straps. I was wondering about the tail light situation and thinking the HF aluminum cargo carrier wasn't wide enough to block the MH lights but putting some on the carrier is a good idea anyway. We are working on the hitch this week and need to rewire the trailer light harness. The PO ran a different set of wires but there's no plug so we are thinking of starting up front and rewiring the whole length front to rear with a decent plug.

All your help and comments are greatly appreciated.

I use the steel HF rack--it's wider than the aluminum one. I also use the mating canvas bag whith it.
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/laughlin/p48452-img-0369.html
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/laughlin/p48452-img-0369.html

Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ

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