Reality of a front deck toy hauler

[Derick]

So I generally post in the travel trailer forum...but fact is I have a front deck toy hauler. My question is, what is the reality of what I can store there? The whole reason that I bought the thing was to take my goldwing on various adventures and have the camper to sleep in. I'm having a proper ramp installed in a week or so but I'm curious to know what the reality is with tongue weight.

I have a suburban 2500, and I'll be installing the 3600 lbs bump stop upgrades. I dont particularly want to install airbags, but I will if I have to. I'm well under tow capacity, but tongue weight is obviously the concern.

[camperdave]

Not to be too nit-pickey, but the tounge weight is loaded truck minus unloaded truck which is 1140lb. You are adding 1300 to the rear axle because you are also pulling 160 off the front.

I'd keep an eye on those trailer tires too, that's a lot of weight for a single axle.

[noteven]

A little bit of math is the key to weight distribution.

[nayther]

Derick wrote:

nayther wrote:

The difference on the drive axle from with/without should be your tongue weight so 1300 would be right, so your trailer weighs 6,140# without your bike on the front, add the bike and your tongue weight is over 2,000#!

Then I have to ask, why the heck would they design this?! The camper is at limits itself....without a "toy". Golf carts weight similarly, so its not like they are substantially lighter.

Guess it's just for bicycles and maybe a small generator. Certainly not a Goldwing.

[Y-Guy]

Derick wrote:
So am I reading that there is 1300 pounds on the tongue already? How does that play into my WDH that is rated for 1200 LBS and that was the highest one that camco offered? It seems to me like this is high already, and then expect to put a 'toy' of some sort on the deck. But this was engineered, and built.....but was it built for a frickin peterbilt or what???

Yep you're right and so is nayther. This is partially why the front deck units are not very popular. They're ok if you are only hauling wood and a couple of bikes. Beyond the concern about the hitch and truck, I do wonder if the actual trailer frame can take that much weight or if its likely to bend some.

[Derick]

nayther wrote:

The difference on the drive axle from with/without should be your tongue weight so 1300 would be right, so your trailer weighs 6,140# without your bike on the front, add the bike and your tongue weight is over 2,000#!

Then I have to ask, why the heck would they design this?! The camper is at limits itself....without a "toy". Golf carts weight similarly, so its not like they are substantially lighter.

[nayther]

Derick wrote:
OK! I have more info! But I'm left with more questions than answers now.

Here are my weights;

LOADED w/ camper
Steer: 3300
Drive: 4600
Trailer: 4840
Total: 12740

UNLOADED
Steer: 3460
Drive: 3300
Trailer: 0
Total: 6760

So am I reading that there is 1300 pounds on the tongue already? How does that play into my WDH that is rated for 1200 LBS and that was the highest one that camco offered? It seems to me like this is high already, and then expect to put a 'toy' of some sort on the deck. But this was engineered, and built.....but was it built for a frickin peterbilt or what???

The difference on the drive axle from with/without should be your tongue weight so 1300 would be right, so your trailer weighs 6,140# without your bike on the front, add the bike and your tongue weight is over 2,000#!

[Derick]

OK! I have more info!

[Derick]

So I have HALF of the info. I need to go back and do a tare weigh this week to get the other half, but here's what I weigh fully packed and ready to rock;

Steer: 3300
Drive: 4600
Trailer: 4840
Total: 12740

[fj12ryder]

Thank you. I actually bought one when they first came out many years ago, seems like back in the 80's. Their first covers weren't waterproof, and would let dirt filter through them in especially dusty conditions. But they fit well and could be easily cleaned. Basically back then they were just sun and overnight dew protection.

[Dirtclods]

fj12ryder For what it worth ~ Great find!

[fj12ryder]

FWIW there is a cover that will work very well for travel purposes that won't flap. It's called Geza Gear.

[Dirtclods]

Derick you'll be fine towing it with your suburban 2500 ~ (My question is, what is the reality of what I can store there. Anything you wish just make sure it's strapped down. Keep in mind you get a lot of road dirt on the front of your trailer the would include your front deck where your bike well be and even if your covering it the cover well beat you bike to death as well. That's why when you see certain items in transport their shrink-wrapped.

[noteven]

And then to calculate the cantilever effect of cargo behind the axle group on hitch weight the trailer becomes a lever with the fulcrum at the center of the spring equalizer.

[Y-Guy]

fj12ryder wrote:
Not a Harley, but a Gold Wing, but similar weights.

Whoops, thanks!