How Does Adding Cargo Affect Trailer Tongue Weight
Question:
I have the Reese hitch with 25,000 lbs and 6,250 vertical weight. Empty weight of my trailer is 11,200 with a tounge weight of 3,360. My question is will the tw increase with weight of my horses and is this above bed hitch recommend ?
asked by: Taylor L
Expert Reply:
The tongue weight of your horse trailer will certainly increase when the horses are on board but by how much will just depend on where exactly they're situated inside the trailer (along with their actual weights). Tongue weight refers to the vertical weight that's being pushed onto the the bed of your truck via the gooseneck ball. So the further up towards the front of the trailer the horses are, the more weight they're going to add to this particular number.
If you already have industry-standard, above-bed base rails for a 5th wheel hitch installed in the bed of your truck then the Reese Gooseneck Trailer Hitch # RP58079 that you referenced is a great option. This will simply mount to those rails to provide you with a gooseneck hitch ball so you can connect to a gooseneck trailer.
As you mentioned the hitch features a 25,000 pound towing weight capacity and a vertical load limit (tongue weight) of 6,250 pounds. This should be plenty sufficient for your loaded horse trailer.
