Proper trailer tongue weight can be deceptive

One of the most common mistakes people make when towing is neglecting to measure their trailer tongue weight.  Not every tow rig setup shows obvious signs of improper trailer tongue weight.  Even if the connection point between your trailer and tow vehicle is level it does not indicate that you have a safe amount of weight distributed downward on your trailer hitch.

Where you position the load in your trailer can mean the difference between a safe towing setup and one that can risk accidents and permanent damage to your tow vehicle and trailer. 

Here is how to load a trailer:

Weighing trailer load weight is worth your time

The most common method of eyeballing how to properly load your trailer is to put the largest and heaviest items you are hauling directly over the trailer axle.  Often times this method is an over-simplification.  It’s possible that a number of smaller items in your trailer can add up to more weight than one heavy item.

Before you attempt to properly load your trailer, the first step is to calculate your trailer’s gross trailer weight (GTW) or how much your trailer weighs when it’s full of everything you want to haul.  Proper trailer tongue weight is 10-15 percent of your gross trailer weight.

Using this calculation, assess the weight of larger items you plan on bringing as well as the cumulative weight of smaller items that you are bringing.

About 60 percent of your load needs to be in the front of the trailer, 40 percent in the rear.  Having too much or too little weight in the front or rear of your trailer can both cause safety issues.

Too much tongue weight

Extra tongue weight causes a trailer to ‘dive’ forward

Traffic accidents caused by trailer hitch failure are generally associated with too much tongue weight. Secondarily, attempting to load more than half of your load toward the front of the trailer can lead people to stack too many items there.  A front-heavy or top-heavy trailer causes the front of your trailer to “dive” toward the ground, lifting the front of your tow vehicle.

In effect this reduces your stopping power, steering stability and aims your headlights up and away from where they need to be focused. 

Too little tongue weight

Too little tongue weight can cause your trailer to sway side-to-side in its lane.  Although a proper hitch system like a weight distribution system that incorporates sway control or an add on sway control can correct this issue, you should always check to make sure the problem is not being caused by too little tongue weight before considering this accessory. Speed-related sway is caused by too little tongue weight. The faster you go, the worse the sway will be.

Left-to-right balance

Don’t forget to position your load so that it’s as evenly distributed from left to right in the trailer as possible.  Neglecting to do so can decrease the stability of turning, steering and can even cause the trailer to flip over. 

 

Torklift Central uses an official trailer tongue weight scale

The most accurate way to determine proper trailer tongue weight is to have it weighed with an official trailer tongue weight scale by a trusted facility such as Torklift Central. 

Measuring trailer tongue weight yourself 

Torklift has a formula you can use to measure your trailer tongue weight at home with a commercial scale or bathroom scale.

 
Here is how to calculate your trailer tongue weight at home.

1.    Position your fully-loaded trailer on a level surface
2.    Make sure the trailer coupler is at the height it connects to your vehicle’s trailer hitch ball
3.    Rest the trailer coupler on the platform shown in the picture above
4.    Multiply the weight reading shown on the scale by the number of feet between the pipes – this calculation is your trailer tongue weight

Once proper trailer tongue weight is achieved your vehicle may still need some help to safely accommodate the load of your trailer. 

StableLoad suspension stabilizer – available at Torklift Central

For lighter tongue weight loads, if your tow vehicle is experiencing rear-end sag with a properly loaded trailer, a suspension stabilization accessory is a great alternative to a weight distribution system.

StableLoad suspension stabilizer reduces side-to-side sway, body roll and levels your vehicle’s ride.  StableLoad can also be used in conjunction with a weight distribution system if your vehicle’s suspension still needs assistance with stabilization and correction of rear-end sag.

Weight distribution systems help level a trailer

If your fully loaded trailer is more than 50 percent of your tow vehicle’s weight, a towing professional at your local hitch and tow shop may recommend a weight distribution system be used to maintain proper balance of tongue weight during travel.   

Calculating proper trailer tongue weight shouldn’t be a headache.  For more information on how to tow like a pro visit Torklift Central today.

Torklift Central
877-343-6933
[email protected]
www.torkliftcentral.com
315 Central Ave N
Kent, Wash. 98032