So I've finally got things figured out in our '86 Funsaver. Picked it up on the cheap... obviously it isn't perfect - there are small holes in the roof that need to be patched but no interior water damage and no smell, etc. Everything works.

BUT... It is flattening out the rear suspension on both our Honda Ridgeline and our Ford Expedition. I got a few scales together and am coming up with a 600 lb tongue weight! This is the top weight for our hitch.

What really scares me is that the manual says our Factory weight should be 2975 lbs, and tongue weight 285 lbs.

Help?! I can't see how the axles can be relocated, all the molding on the sides seem to indicate that is where they belong. The propane tanks weight in about 60 lbs each.

Not sure what to do. Trade for a Dodge Diesel 2500 (kidding... sort of)? Weight distribution hitch?

Right now the only things in front of the axle are a small radio and spare tire, and there is no water in the tank which is also located towards the front.

For what it's worth here's a picture of "Bertha"

MooseMan,

Have you measured the length of the trailer? It looks larger than 19ft to me. I didn't think the 19 ft trailers had a double axel.

HiLo measures their trailers from the front of the hitch to the back of the bumper. Our 21ft actually has a living space of around 17 feet.

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Les

2006 22ft towlite (replaces 97 21TL)
2006 Toyota tacoma pre-runner 4.0 L V-6 quad cab
w/ 98 chevy Powervision towing mirrors

That definitely does not look like a 19 ft trailer, also if those are 60 lb each tanks they are not standard Hi-Lo s came with either 20 or 30 lb tanks, so you have an extra 60 lbs. there.
Understanding the weights that the factory listed is a problem, it is for a fully stripped trailer with no options and even then may not be right and if you are looking at the weight for a 19 ft trailer it is defiantly wrong. You need to get the trailer weighted to find the actual weight.
You should also use a weight distribution hitch.

This is a guess based on a 22 ft Classic trailer, if it is a ft or two more then it will be heavier, but I would say that trailer weights around 4,000 lb. Tongue weight should be 10 to 15 percent of the total trailer weight for safe towing. At 12% of 4,000 equals 480 lbs tongue weight.
Some members have weighted there trailers and found that they weight more than they should.

It does look larger. Anything larger than 17' should use a WDH. You might want to get it on solid ground as well to weigh it.
Tips on How To Tow a Trailer | etrailer.com

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2404T, 2003 2500HD 4X4 GMC Crewcab w/Astro camper shell
Far West Texas

my 88 22l weighes 3590 lbs stripped down. it also has a awning and about 300 lbs of pots,pans bedding,a/c,etc. and by the looks of your hi-lo, it is at least a 22 or 24 foot. do you have the weight tag on the front curb side body just above the frame? I just looked at your photos again, it is definitly a 24 or 25 footer and you have the big propane tanks on her.

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robobd
1988 22l
1999 ford f250 7.3 diesel

Update on this thread - thanks everyone for your help. The trailer length appears to measure in at 21', so the body of the camper is around 19'. The 2 propane tanks on the front don't help. The solution was a WDH, which is amazing. It fixed the Expedition up nicely and even gets 2" of rear suspension back out of the Ridgeline. The Ridgeline actually moves and brakes the camper pretty nicely, but I can just feel it jostling quite a bit with the hitch. I'm guessing it's moving the forces around and the unibody construction is transferring it more into the drivers seat.

Thanks for the tips!

For what it's worth, I doubt you really need those huge gas tanks. Our two 20 pound tanks have lasted two weeks powering the cooktop, refrigerator, hot water heater, and furnace in the mornings (to take the "chill" off). After that trip, one tank was empty and the other was still nearly full.

We have one of those automatic changeover valves that switch tanks automatically when one is empty but tells you a tank is empty with a red flag. This lets you take the empty tank in for refilling if needed while you still have plenty in the second tank.

- Jack

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Hi-Lo 1707T
2005 F150 4x4 KR SCrew

I agree with the automatic changeover valve. They are most appreciated when you have a tank go empty in the middle of a cold rainy night and the furnace quits heating.

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Great Wife, Joyce
2010 2310H Hi-Lo
2012 F150 4X4 SuperCrew EcoBoost w/Leer Cap
Reese WD Strait-Line Hitch
Amateur Radio K3EXU