Moving Axles on Travel Trailer to Accomplish Correct Tongue Weight

Updated 09/23/2020 | Published 09/21/2020

Question:

Hi, My 26ft toy hauler camperFuzion FZ26 has always had way too much tongue weighteven with the liad bars cranked all the way. I finally stopped at a truck stop scale to find out where I was at. Tongue tip to center between real axles = 251 1240 tongue 7460 on the axles 8700 total* *This included a 900lb Polaris 4 wheeler and 15 gals of gas in fuel station. So tongue weight would even be worse without these behind the axles. Can the axles safely move forward assuming I buy the correct new spring mounts and have a fully certifield welder attach them? How far would I have to move them taking the variable rear cargo into account? John

asked by: John K

Expert Reply:

There are too many variables concerning the design and construction of the travel trailer to determine. I can imagine that the wheel wells and consequently the inside cabinets would have to be moved among other things.

From your scale receipt it looks like you unhitched your trailer and took the truck off the scale. From this measurement the trailer gross weight was 8700 pounds, a result of 7460 pounds on the trailer axels and 1240 pounds on the tongue. This puts 14% of the weight on the tongue which is within range for many trailers. From this point of view - maybe you don't have too much tongue weight. Also, I see in the picture what looks to be square trunnion bars for a weight distribution system. My assumption is that this takes even more weight off of the tongue.

You may have to find a way to rearrange your cargo to more appropriately distribute the weight across your entire setup.

Also make sure that your weight distribution hitch is properly adjusted and that the system itself is rated for the tongue weight needed. An underrated system will not help.

I have linked an article regarding axle placement and load handling.

expert reply by: Les D