How to gauge your trailer's tongue weight on an ongoing basis

swines · Feb 1, 2015

I use a Sherline Tongue Weight Scale - available from a number of sources for about $130.

I put the scale on a floor jack under the trailer just behind the trailer ball and jack up the scale until the trailer starts to lift off of the ball.

KiotiKowboy · Feb 1, 2015

check said:
Hey guys, great suggestions! I also found this online:

Products Archive - Weigh Safe Trailer Hitches

I really like this one - but ....... I see it comes with the 2 larger balls but not the 1 7/8". I'd hate to sink that kind of money into a hitch and not be able to pull my smaller gear. Too bad.

aczlan · Feb 1, 2015

KiotiKowboy said:
I really like this one - but ....... I see it comes with the 2 larger balls but not the 1 7/8". I'd hate to sink that kind of money into a hitch and not be able to pull my smaller gear. Too bad.

$19 will get you a 2" coupler so that you can avoid needing to mess with 1 7/8" stuff: Amazon.com: Husky 87073 2" Ball 2" Width Straight Coupler with Chain: Automotive

Aaron Z

KiotiKowboy · Feb 1, 2015

aczlan said:
$19 will get you a 2" coupler so that you can avoid needing to mess with 1 7/8" stuff: Amazon.com: Husky 87073 2" Ball 2" Width Straight Coupler with Chain: Automotive
Aaron Z

True enough - but seems a no-brainer to offer the 3 ball sizes - especially since one may be pulling rentals or friends gear from time-to-time.

schmism · Feb 2, 2015

KiotiKowboy said:
I really like this one - but ....... I see it comes with the 2 larger balls but not the 1 7/8". I'd hate to sink that kind of money into a hitch and not be able to pull my smaller gear. Too bad.

why are you worried about tongue weight on an 1 7/8" ball? they are rated for like 300lbs max. There is no tow vehical out there with a 2" hitch that should be worried about 300lb tongue weight.

bdog · Feb 2, 2015

I have been pulling trailers for 24 years and have never seen a 1-7/8" ball except in a catalog or store shelf. Why would anyone use one? 2" is so much more common and is not any significant amount more expensive.

aczlan · Feb 2, 2015

Small (~2000# GVW) trailers often use them. IMO, it makes no sense to use them and we should standardize on 2" for a anything not big enough to need a 2 5/16" ball.
I do not own a 1 7/8" ball and will not in the future.

Aaron Z

zzvyb6 · Feb 2, 2015

bcp said:
It would be interesting to see the results from towing with horizontal and vertical strain gauges in a trailer ball.

Bruce

This is done frequently by auto companies to learn what towing loads are, especially the dynamic loads from bumps and potholes, etc. When I worked at GM Proving Grounds, all new models got the loads measurements (cars, too). What is surprising to non-technical people are the bending and twisting moments (rotational, as in yawing and pitching) that the hitch carries. These results would make your decision about greasing the ball or not, but it's already been clearly established that most know-it-all readers here are in total denial of the findings and the recommendation that would result from them.

Diamondpilot · Feb 2, 2015

aczlan said:
$19 will get you a 2" coupler so that you can avoid needing to mess with 1 7/8" stuff: Amazon.com: Husky 87073 2" Ball 2" Width Straight Coupler with Chain: Automotive

Aaron Z

I agree. 1 7/8" ball is the worst decision in towing history. I have never understood the reason to have it and a 2" ball also?

Chris

oldballs · Feb 2, 2015

I think there are quite a few who have small trailers that are used to pull some lawn gear to grandma's house.....thus the trailer is small and so is the ball....and the tongue weight probably isn't a factor either.................................unless they decided to load a cord of wood on it...........hum-m-m-m.