What Should the Weight Distribution be on a 5 x 8 Trailer?
Question:
The trailer I have is a standard 5x8, customized inside with a tongue weight approximately 10 percent of the total weight - I haven't taken this trailer on the highway with my Jeep yet so I don't know how it really behaves at highway speeds. The thing that's throwing me off is the position of the axle - it's 2/3rds toward the rear of the length of the trailer and if I were to follow the 60/40 rule the tongue weight would be significantly higher than 10 percent. So I'm distributing the internal weight more to the rest of the rig. Am I gonna die? Any advice is appreciated, thanks!
asked by: Ed
Helpful Expert Reply:
When towing your 5x8 trailer, make sure your tongue weight does not exceed 15 percent, and try to ensure your cargo is evenly distributed throughout the trailer while maintaining this tongue weight. It is more important to keep the tongue weight within 10 to 15 percent assuming you aren't overloading your axle. An improper tongue weight is going to put too much strain on the rear axle of your Jeep, which could lessen your ability to steer and brake, have a negative impact on traction and increase the amount of sway in your trailer.
As long as you drive at manageable speeds and keep enough distance between your Jeep and the vehicle in front of you, safety should not be a bigger concern than usual.
