A real good visual on how important weight distribution is;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWd8ml9mFMo
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A real good visual on how important weight distribution is;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWd8ml9mFMo
Good visual explanation of the effects.
Pictures worth a thousand words ..... that video is worth a million !
Glen
In the first part most of the weight was up front, I thought the weight should be evenly distributed if possible?
maybe it is a bit over-simplified to show the hazard of back-loading the weight past the axles?Quote:
Originally Posted by greatwhite
I would think you can't really pile the weight up front, due to the tongue load restrictions
cool demonstration though.
Awesome visual. I have seen a few vehicle / trailer combinations do the funky chicken just like that video. Pretty scary to see for sure. Thanks for the link Mike.
You want your trailer to be front loaded rather then evenly distributed. The general rule of thumb is 60% 40% front to rear.Quote:
Originally Posted by greatwhite
I'll buy that for a dollar.Quote:
Originally Posted by McKenzie
Consider this. Fishing trip, boat is hitched up, gear is all stacked ready to be loaded. How do you reasonably get that front-rear proportion right? Who has a simple procedure that doesn't involve weighing everything and measuring tongue weight?
Common sense should guide anyone? Unfortunately, we all have seen the opposite much to often.Quote:
Originally Posted by LeakyBoots
Sherline hydraulic scale............
It would have been interesting to see the effect of moving the axle back and if that cut out some sway of the trailer.
That's what worked for my boat trailer. I found the balance point for the boat when loaded with fuel,batteries and motor by moving the axle forward until the tongue tipped up,then,moved the axle back until 60% (give or take) of the balance weight was on the tongue. It cured the trailer sway,instantly.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mauro
Yes the tongue needs weight but 60% 40% front to rear can be confusing at best.Quote:
Originally Posted by McKenzie
Generally recommended range is for the tongue weight to be 10% to 15% of the total towed weight.
I realize you were talking weight distribution not tongue weight but the proper way is to use tongue weight.
I have always found that a long tongue makes life easier. let the trailer support the load weight with a bit of tongue weight to make braking and steering easier. Of course you need a trailer that will take the load and it must have brakes that work on it. It is really a case of leverage, just like we learned in physics.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mauro
Also makes things a lot quicker at the launching ramp or backing into the barn........