Those numbers loo
Those numbers tell me that you're completely within the capabilities of a stock LC. Even with the tongue as heavy as it now is.
But it also says as you've pointed out, that the WD setup is way off. Need more tension.
With it correct, it'll do a few things.
1) translate more weight to the front axle
2) translate weight off the rear axle
3) most importantly, it'll transfer tongue weight back to the trailer axles. Improving the GVCR margins you have
And this all will transform the handling of the vehicle into a confident rig.
This isn't even considering the real GVCR increases that can be had with simple suspension upgrades alone.
Went to a certified scale today. I got there with 10 minutes left before they closed so I was rushing and probably missed a few measurements. I had gone to this scale a few months ago to weigh the LC with me and a full tank of gas in it (6,260 lbs.).
Scale numbers below - LC with me in it and about 7/8ths of a tank of gas; trailer with full fresh water and mostly ready to go camping, minus clothes and food, hooked up to LC with 1200 lb. Equal-izer WD hitch engaged:
Front axles of LC on scale = 2820 lbs.
Both axles of LC on scale = 7380 lbs.
All 4 axles on scale (GCWR) = 13,560 lbs.
Trailer axles on scale while hooked up to LC = 6,200 lbs.
Trailer unhooked and alone on scale = 7,160 lbs.
If I'm understanding this correctly, 960 lbs. get transferred to the LC when hooked up (7,160 - 6,200).
However, the difference in LC weight between weighed empty and hooked up is 1,120 lbs. (7380 - 6260), and that's not accounting for the difference in fuel load. That's closer to the 1,200 lb. reading I got from the Sherline tongue scale.
It also appears that the wdh is not distributing much of the weight to the front axle of the LC, overloading the rear axle by 260 lbs. (7380 - 2820 = 4560) while leaving 775 lbs. available on the front axle.
These numbers just don't work with the LC:
GVWR = 7,385 lbs.
Max Tow = 8,500 lbs.
Max Tongue = 850 lbs.
GCWR = 15,885 lbs.
GAWR (front) = 3,595 lbs.
GAWR (rear) = 4,300 lbs.
I'm starting to think the LC experiment is over. These weights don't even take into account my family, which is another 380 lbs. and growing.
Those numbers tell me that you're completely within the capabilities of a stock LC. Even with the tongue as heavy as it now is.
But it also says as you've pointed out, that the WD setup is way off. Need more tension.
With it correct, it'll do a few things.
1) translate more weight to the front axle
2) translate weight off the rear axle
3) most importantly, it'll transfer tongue weight back to the trailer axles. Improving the GVCR margins you have
And this all will transform the handling of the vehicle into a confident rig.
This isn't even considering the real GVCR increases that can be had with simple suspension upgrades alone.