Thoughts on running more then recommended tongue weight with modifications

[JohnSilver]

So I have been contemplating trying this out to see how the BS badlands handles it. It would be very convenient to be able to do this as my wife and I love traveling and bringing my motorcycle (much easier for us to put around cities and park) I currenlty have the RC suspension installed, it gave me about a 2in lift after settled in instead of the 1.5in advertised, was pleastantly surprised. Curt Tow Hitch rated for 550lb, and I'm going to add in an air lift kit with about 20-30psi in the springs. Now my motorcycle weighs about 340lbs plus a mototote 60lbs. Will attempting adding increase weight to from of vehicle as well

Looking at 400lb direct tongue weight. Any sign of weird driving at highway speeds and I'm pulling over, but for some reason I feel like this set up wil be able to handle over the factory tongue weight recommendation unless I'm misunderstanding the physics that can cause issues. From research it seems it's not so much a chassis or engine issue but more so a weight distribution issue at speed, which I'm attempting to negate as much as possible. Thoughts, experiences ???

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[wireman]

So I have been contemplating trying this out to see how the BS badlands handles it. It would be very convenient to be able to do this as my wife and I love traveling and bringing my motorcycle (much easier for us to put around cities and park) I currenlty have the RC suspension installed, it gave me about a 2in lift after settled in instead of the 1.5in advertised, was pleastantly surprised. Curt Tow Hitch rated for 550lb, and I'm going to add in an air lift kit with about 20-30psi in the springs. Now my motorcycle weighs about 340lbs plus a mototote 60lbs.

Looking at 400lb direct tongue weight. Any sign of weird driving at highway speeds and I'm pulling over, but for some reason I feel like this set up wil be able to handle over the factory tongue weight recommendation unless I'm misunderstanding the physics that can cause issues. From research it seems it's not so much a chassis or engine issue but more so a weight distribution issue at speed, which I'm attempting to negate as much as possible. Thoughts, experiences ???

i believe your direct hitch weight is limited to 220 or 250 lbs. Somewhere in that range.

 

[JohnSilver]

i believe your direct hitch weight is limited to 220 or 250 lbs. Somewhere in that range.

Right, I get that but I'm trying to understand why that is and if it's capable of being exceeded. In the regard that the vehicle itself can't actually be considered a class 3 towing vehicle due to the engine, I'm wondering if they have to correlate the tongue weight with this although the frame/suspension may not be the issue. For example the ford escape same unibody has a tongue weight capacity of 350lbs, but so does the big bronco??? This doesn't seem to make sense to me.

 

[Bucko]

Found this by Googling 'what happens if you have too much tongue weight':

If you don't have enough weight on the trailer tongue, the trailer may be prone to swaying from side to side, making it difficult to control. Conversely, if you have too much weight exerted on the hitch ball, the force could overload the rear tires of the tow vehicle and push the rear end of the vehicle around.

 

[JohnSilver]

Found this by Googling 'what happens if you have too much tongue weight':

If you don't have enough weight on the trailer tongue, the trailer may be prone to swaying from side to side, making it difficult to control. Conversely, if you have too much weight exerted on the hitch ball, the force could overload the rear tires of the tow vehicle and push the rear end of the vehicle around.

Yes this seems to be the primary issue, which I'm wondering like I stated could be negated by adding some weight to the front cargo region? How much? I have no idea lol. As long as payload isn't exceeded.

 

[wireman]

Right, I get that but I'm trying to understand why that is and if it's capable of being exceeded. In the regard that the vehicle itself can't actually be considered a class 3 towing vehicle due to the engine, I'm wondering if they have to correlate the tongue weight with this although the frame/suspension may not be the issue. For example the ford escape same unibody has a tongue weight capacity of 350lbs, but so does the big bronco??? This doesn't seem to make sense to me.

Tongue weight is usually 10% of the towing capacity. Going over that takes weight off of the front tires which may affect steering & handling.

 

[JohnSilver]

Tongue weight is usually 10% of the towing capacity. Going over that takes weight off of the front tires which may affect steering & handling.

Right, but can that be offset by adding some weight to the front? If it's just an issue of weight distribution and not so much a structural integrity issue, I don't see why it couldn't be negated in some way.

 

[Bucko]

Right, but can that be offset by adding some weight to the front? If it's just an issue of weight distribution and not so much a structural integrity issue, I don't see why it couldn't be negated in some way.

What if you carry a "weight challenged" passenger? I can ride with you...I'll grab a dozen donuts a few days ahead of time.

 

[JohnSilver]

What if you carry a "weight challenged" passenger? I can ride with you...I'll grab a dozen donuts a few days ahead of time.

Haha yes as long as I can have some donuts toooo! I'm just really baffeled over the tongue weight capacity. The ford escape with a 1in longer wheel base has a 350lb tongue weight capacity which is the SAME as the big bronco? A hyundai Tuscson with a 2in longer wheel base has a tongue capacity weight of 525lb??? I don't understand this lol

 

[Bucko]

Most likely has something to do with weight over the rear axle in it's current form. Add too much weight to the trailer tongue and this will make the front end rise. Stiffer rear suspension mods could perhaps help.

In years past, I would add a set of Monroe air shocks in the back. You were able to air them up to raise the back end to allow a heavy trailer attached to the ball hitch to keep the vehicle level.

Not sure if this was good to do, but I never had the dreaded trailer death wobble, but I also kept my speeds at a safe perspective.

 

[JohnSilver]

Most likely has something to do with weight over the rear axle in it's current form. Add too much weight to the trailer tongue and this will make the front end rise. Stiffer rear suspension mods could perhaps help.

In years past, I would add a set of Monroe air shocks in the back. You were able to air them up to raise the back end to allow a heavy trailer attached to the ball hitch to keep the vehicle level.

Not sure if this was good to do, but I never had the dreaded trailer death wobble, but I also kept my speeds at a safe perspective.

Yes that's my plan with the air lift, have some ordered to through in the springs, rear end is already up quite a bit from the suspension lift. Curt hitch is rated for 500lb capacity. So I'm going to give it a go with some added weight in the front and see how it goes.

 

[Mark S.]

I doubt you will ever discover precisely the reason for Ford’s limitation on tongue weight. There are any number of factors. My best guess is that the suspension setup is a compromise. It features relatively soft/long-travel springs and dampers that offer decent off-road performance while at the same time providing adequate—and safe—road handling. Couple this with the rear wheel bearings, which are designed to carry only a given amount of weight (see GVWR in your owner’s manual). Overloaded suspension components can result in unusual handling characteristics, especially during emergency maneuvering.

 

[wireman]

Airlift bags will only level out the suspension. They do not increase tow capacity or tongue weight capacity.
Those are set by the manufacturer and do not change.
Why the Sport doesn’t have the same specs as the Escape is beyond me.

Only Ford can answer that question.
Adding a higher capacity hitch doesn’t change anything.

Up to you if you want to take the chance and change equipment

 

[GulfCoastBronco]

I believe what you are asking could be technically done. And not have an issue. However, if there was ever a problem or accident I believe you would be liable once you exceed the manufacturer weight limit.

 

[JohnSilver]

I believe what you are asking could be technically done. And not have an issue. However, if there was ever a problem or accident I believe you would be liable once you exceed the manufacturer weight limit.

Yeah I mean obviously starting out would be slowly driving around the parking lot, try out some speed bumps at low speeds, see how it does. And yes very aware I place myself at high risk and voiding any damage under warranty if something does go wrong. This would only be something that is used in a forced sitatuion.

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