Reisender
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neu wrote:Reisender wrote:nickthehunter wrote:Reisender wrote:…Try to pack accordingly to keep the hitch weight under control. Front storage compartments are nice but if you are struggling with hitch weight maybe pack the light stuff up front… That is advice that can take you directly to the scene of the accident if you are not careful. It is worth mentioning that it is essential that you keep at least 10% tongue weight, and preferably 12%. Not doing so can be catastrophic.
Absolutely. Hence the recommendation to weigh everything. But in my experience single axle trailers with batteries on the front and large front storage compartments can result in overly heavy hitch weights. It’s just something to keep an eye on. In North America they recommend 10 to 15 percent whereas in Europe they recommend 6 to 10 percent for hitch weight. (We have a European designed trailer but built in the US). Best to try and pack over or close to the axle. Many European designs have things like fridges, batteries and storage areas as well as water tanks on or around the axle. Works out well and loading the trailer has less of an affect on the hitch weight. Ours is like that. Our hitch weight actually is slightly less when fully loaded although still at that 10 percent mark.
The absolute worst thing I see is these cargo racks on the rear end of trailers. Horrible idea.
Now I'm a bit confused by the numbers you provided as an example ![[emoticon]](https://forums.goodsamclub.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/scratchead.gif "scratchead") I just watched a video that emphasized not to let the trailer tongue weight drop below 10%, otherwise there's a very high risk of getting into a fishtail situation. At the same time, you say that in Europe it is NOT ALLOWED to exceed 10% for safe driving. So which of these statements is correct?
In Europe it’s different. Most trailers are pulled by cars and there are speed limits on cars pulling trailers. As well weight distribution hitches are very uncommon and frowned upon. You can google for better clarification of their rules. But North America you will commonly see a recommendation of anywhere from 10 to 15 percent for hitch weight.
Cheers.
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nickthehunter
Midwest
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Throwing Europe into the mix is a distraction away from the real answer. What he’s saying is, 10% or less is ok if your not going to exceed 45 mph. If you want to drive at a reasonable speed, your going to need a reasonable tongue weight. Most reasonable people would agree that’s not less than 10% for sure, and better yet 12%.
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Reisender
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nickthehunter wrote:Throwing Europe into the mix is a distraction away from the real answer. What he’s saying is, 10% or less is ok if your not going to exceed 45 mph. If you want to drive at a reasonable speed, your going to need a reasonable tongue weight. Most reasonable people would agree that’s not less than 10% for sure, and better yet 12%.
Yes it was just for context. Stick with 10 to 12 percent and try and pack heavy items close to the axle.
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Grit dog
Black Diamond, WA
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Reisender wrote:nickthehunter wrote:Throwing Europe into the mix is a distraction away from the real answer. What he’s saying is, 10% or less is ok if your not going to exceed 45 mph. If you want to drive at a reasonable speed, your going to need a reasonable tongue weight. Most reasonable people would agree that’s not less than 10% for sure, and better yet 12%.
Yes it was just for context. Stick with 10 to 12 percent and try and pack heavy items close to the axle.
Or more succinctly, tongue weight is still just a rule of thumb and the only 2 things that matter is that it’s not excessive (for whatever limiting factors may apply first) and that the trailer pulls straight and true.
I’ve pulled a lot of fairly heavy trailers (2k- maybe 8klbs or more) that have virtually zero tongue weight by design. Even those, some pull just fine, some get the wiggles at highway speeds.
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neu
Toronto
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Thank you everyone for your responses. Now I understand everything. I will stick to the 12-15% range for my tongue weight. I have already purchased a scale to weigh it, I just need to weigh the trailer itself.
![[image]](https://i.postimg.cc/jS6Z63j8/photo-2023-05-04-23-01-18.jpg)
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