Why Can a Truck Carry More Weight In Bed instead at Rear Bumper Hitch

Question:

Why does the pin weight of a tag only have to be 10 percent yet a gooseneck ball have to be 20 percent ? They are both transferring downward force through a fixed point connected to the chassis. This force is then transferred through the same axle. Why cant you only apply 10 percent through a gooseneck ball if you are only moving the attachment point 2 feet forward ?

asked by: Damian

Expert Reply:

The difference comes down to leverage mostly. If you put 300 lbs of weight at the rear of a vehicle like with a tag along trailer that weight pushes down on the rear of the vehicle and then uses the rear axle as a fulcrum and actually unweights the front axle. Like a see saw. This reduces the ability of the vehicle to brake and turn. Plus the leverage of the distance magnifies the weight on the rear axle.

If you put the weight directly over the rear axle of the vehicle this is totally avoided so that is why you can carry more weight in this location.

expert reply by: Jameson C