Safest Ratios for Distributing Weight Across a Trailer

Question:

i am building a trailer using the back half of a 1 ton dually truck. i want to be able to bridge some of the weight to the tongue. a class v hitch is rated at 1,800 tongue weight. if the parts bought to put a tongue on it are rated for 1,800 or more would it be safe to carry 1,800 on the tongue with 2,000 on the trailer axle. so in theory a total load of 3,800

asked by: Eric

Expert Reply:

If all of the components at the tongue are rated for at least 1,800 lb, they would be able to handle that weight, however this is not the safest way to distribute weight on your trailer.

For the best and safest tracking and handling of a trailer, you want to load the trailer so that the tongue weight is 10-15% of the trailer's total weight. Approximately 60% of the trailer's weight should be in front of the axle with the other 40% behind the axle.

So if you are carrying a total weight of 3,800 lbs, your ideal tongue weight would be between 380-570 lbs. A great way to make sure the trailer is loaded with a safe tongue weight is to use a tongue weight scale like # e99044.

Loading a tongue weight of 1,800 lbs with a total trailer weight of 3,800lbs would weigh the front of the trailer and the rear of the tow vehicle down too much, causing unnecessary wear and tear on both the tow vehicle and trailer, as well as loading down the rear suspension of the tow vehicle - possibly reducing the traction your front tires have for turning and braking. These factors are especially likely if this tongue weight is near or at your tow vehicle's max tongue weight capacity. An exceptionally heavy tongue weight would also create a really harsh ride for your trailer with so much weight disproportionately at the ball.

In addition to how the weight is loaded, a big factor to get the right tongue weight is axle placement. I have linked a help article with more information and equations to help make sure the axle is the correct distance from the trailer tongue to help you achieve safe trailer tongue weights.

expert reply by: Victoria B