I have a 16 and use a sway bar when towing with our Subaru as an extra precaution since I have to get the tongue weight down to a low 200 lbs per Subaru specs. When towing with our Dodge Dakota, I don't use the sway bar (tongue weight is 300 lbs with that setup).
Tongue weight on an empty trailer might remain the same, but once you start loading supplies and water, the tongue weight changes depending on whether the weight is added in front of or behind the axle. Much like the CG on an aircraft. If I take one of the propane tanks off, that's about 38 pounds lighter on the tongue. If I add 10 gallons to the fresh water tank, that shifts more weight to the back (about 80 lbs) and lowers the tongue weight even more. If you put 2 bikes on a rear bumper carrier, that really affects the tongue weight in a bad way. Scamp website advertises a 165 tongue weight on the 16, but in real world I've not known anyone that could reach that magical figure.
just got back from a five day trip with the 13 footer. We towed with a 2012 Escape. IT was HORRIBLE! at one red light,heading uphill with a slight misting rain I realized the car was trying to slid off to the side. Way too much tongue weight for a front wheel drive car. We got to the site and back but really need to rethink this. no propane or water tanks, slid the cooler to the rear and put some stuff on the back of the trailer on a cargo rack but I don't know what else I could do to change the weight ratio. really scary when I realized the front wheels were just barley kissing the road, I thought my driving was getting really bad.
Is that the V-6 Escape or a 4?? The V6 is rated at 3500 lbs tow capacity when setup correctly so that shouldn't have been happening. The 4 is only rated at 1500 max tow capacity and that is very much gray area for the 13 Scamp. Most 13's fully loaded run in the 1700-1800+ range.
Greg, I really don't think this was about weight.This is my wife's car and it may be the 4 cyl. eco Boost engine I tow this rig with my 200 Jeep Wrangler all is well.actual weight over the scales is 1100 lb. It is the most basic you can get, having only a sink and a four gallon internal water tank. I believe it is about having too much tongue weight for a front wheel drive, causing the front wheels to "unload". I once loaded a ton of landscaping rock in the back of 1/2 pick up. suddenly was like having power steering. same feeling.Maybe I need to look at the weigh distributing hitches?
I tow with a 2012 Ford Escape and do not have one. Tows great without the need for such an item.
<p>Doug Allen 2016 Ford F-150 2018 Lance 1575</p>
I have a 16 and use a sway bar when towing with our Subaru as an extra precaution since I have to get the tongue weight down to a low 200 lbs per Subaru specs. When towing with our Dodge Dakota, I don't use the sway bar (tongue weight is 300 lbs with that setup).
John/Dave and Marilyn Haggerty
2005 Scamp 16 standard side dinette
04 Dodge Dakota Quad cab 4.7
17 Dodge Durango 3.6
19 Ford Ranger Supercrew Ecoboost
The tongue weight for our 16 ft. Scamp is 172 pounds. We tow with a 2012 Ford Escape 6 cylinder. No sway bar needed, tows with no sway.
<p>Doug Allen 2016 Ford F-150 2018 Lance 1575</p>
Tongue weight is tongue weight! How does it vary?
<p>Doug Allen 2016 Ford F-150 2018 Lance 1575</p>
Tongue weight on an empty trailer might remain the same, but once you start loading supplies and water, the tongue weight changes depending on whether the weight is added in front of or behind the axle. Much like the CG on an aircraft. If I take one of the propane tanks off, that's about 38 pounds lighter on the tongue. If I add 10 gallons to the fresh water tank, that shifts more weight to the back (about 80 lbs) and lowers the tongue weight even more. If you put 2 bikes on a rear bumper carrier, that really affects the tongue weight in a bad way. Scamp website advertises a 165 tongue weight on the 16, but in real world I've not known anyone that could reach that magical figure.
http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f51/trailer-weights-in-the-real-world...
John/Dave and Marilyn Haggerty
2005 Scamp 16 standard side dinette
04 Dodge Dakota Quad cab 4.7
17 Dodge Durango 3.6
19 Ford Ranger Supercrew Ecoboost
All makes sense now. Yes, all those things will truly change tongue weight. Yes, sure know about weight and balance as a life long pilot!
<p>Doug Allen 2016 Ford F-150 2018 Lance 1575</p>
just got back from a five day trip with the 13 footer. We towed with a 2012 Escape. IT was HORRIBLE! at one red light,heading uphill with a slight misting rain I realized the car was trying to slid off to the side. Way too much tongue weight for a front wheel drive car. We got to the site and back but really need to rethink this. no propane or water tanks, slid the cooler to the rear and put some stuff on the back of the trailer on a cargo rack but I don't know what else I could do to change the weight ratio. really scary when I realized the front wheels were just barley kissing the road, I thought my driving was getting really bad.
Philip,
Is that the V-6 Escape or a 4?? The V6 is rated at 3500 lbs tow capacity when setup correctly so that shouldn't have been happening. The 4 is only rated at 1500 max tow capacity and that is very much gray area for the 13 Scamp. Most 13's fully loaded run in the 1700-1800+ range.
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Greg, I really don't think this was about weight.This is my wife's car and it may be the 4 cyl. eco Boost engine I tow this rig with my 200 Jeep Wrangler all is well.actual weight over the scales is 1100 lb. It is the most basic you can get, having only a sink and a four gallon internal water tank. I believe it is about having too much tongue weight for a front wheel drive, causing the front wheels to "unload". I once loaded a ton of landscaping rock in the back of 1/2 pick up. suddenly was like having power steering. same feeling.Maybe I need to look at the weigh distributing hitches?
We also tow with a Ford Escape, which has the 6 cyl. Option. 2012 was the last year for Ford to put a V-6 in the Escape. Ours tows valiantly.
<p>Doug Allen 2016 Ford F-150 2018 Lance 1575</p>
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