Reducing Tongue Weight by Loading Rear of AS

[Inland RV Center, In]

A proper tongue weight should be between 10 to 15 percent of the total gross weight of the trailer.

NEVER, EVER, add anything the the raer of a trailer to reduce it's tongue weight.

If in doubt where to add extra weight, keep it forward of the axles.

Obviously the closer added payload is placed to the front of the trailer, the greater effect it will have on the tongue weight increase.

Depending on the added payload, placing it near the axles or totally up front, depends on what and how much weight.

If you wish to stop and buy 500 pounds of watermelons, then obviously you would place them as far forward as you can, so that when you stop, they don't move forward.

For short runs or short periods of time, a tongue weight of up to 20 percent is OK.

Obviously, when then tongue weight changes, an adjustment on how much tension is placed on the torsion bars, must also be changed.

An adequate tongue weight is required, that makes the trailer sway. That sway is controlled (removed) by transfer of weight and an additional sway control device.

A little to no tongue weight also makes the trailer sway. However, since there is little to no weight to work with, the sway will continue in an unsafe manner.

Yes adding just a sway control would help, but not nearly enough to give you towing stability, nor nearly enough to keep you from very easily losing control.

Andy