Tractor Position on Trailer ??

GoodGuy · May 5, 2005

Curious is any of you folks load your tractor on the trailer backwards ?? With my JD4210/420 Loader & 47 Hoe, I am curious if I should load it backwards to give more tongue weight & less chance of a sway issue. I guess I should mention that the trailer is no longer than it should be (13') therefore I have some overhang front & rear. I have not trailered it before, this is why I ask. My tow rig is a Ford F150 Ext Cab with factory trailer towing package. I'm only going 15 miles from home & not highway speeds but would like to be as safe as I can be with what I have to work with. Your Thoughts ??

KiotiJohn · May 5, 2005

My thought is that the trailer is too small to begin with. In order to get the proper positioning, it's often necessary to move the tractor up or back to achieve proper tongue weight. I can't see that you'd be able to do that, front loaded or rear.
I have loaded mine both ways on my 18' trailer, and depending on what I have on the 3pt (loader is always on), I have to place it in a different spot on the trailer.
That said, I would think that rear loading would probably work best because the setup is probably much heavier to the rear of the tractor with the BH on. But you'll have to assure that you're not getting too much tongue weight so the tow vehicle's front tires stay on the ground. Hard to do on a 13' trailer.
John

Soundguy · May 5, 2005

Gosh.. TLB and a 13' trailer? single axle and no breaks right?

If you canload it and get tounge weight correct.... um.. I guess use whatever method works.. front or rear load.. pray alot too... give yourself lots of stopping distance..

I wouldn't tow with that trailer..

Soundguy

SCB · May 5, 2005

I'm not sure of the size of the 4210. I have a twelve foot trailer and a bx23. I have hauled it somewhat like you describe. !0-15 miles never over 50 mph. My trailer is a single axle and the wheels are towards the back end of the trailer. I pull on forward and put my rear tractor wheels over the trailer wheels or maybe a few inches behind center. This keeps most of the weight on the axle and the front end of the tracor gives me enough tongue weight. I have towed it three times that way now and it feels right going down the road. NO sway, and the steering doesn't feel light. Would I like a 16 foot dual axle with brakes? You bet. But sometimes you work with what you got. Like alraedy posted, slow and steady with lots of stopping distance. But it can be done safely if you are not impatient.

keeney · May 6, 2005

Easy trick to measure tongue weight:

With trailer not attached, measure distance hitch of the truck is off the ground. Put desired tongue weight on tailgate of truck directly over the hitch. Weight can anything. Simplest thing to use is often people. For a couple of hundred pounds, just stand on the hitch. For 400 to 500 lbs, have two big guys sit on the tailgate, for 600 to 700 lbs three big guys, etc.

Measure how far the truck suspension sags with the desired tongue weight applied.

Hitch up and load the trailer.

Adjust the load position until truck hitch has dropped the same distance as with the known amount of weight.

Once you know the distance your tuck drops for the desired tongue load, you can estimate or eye-ball the drop in the future.

Negative tongue weight is also pretty obvious to observe by the tow vehicle hitch going up, not down.

- Rick

SCB · May 6, 2005

Very good tip Rick!

tawilson · May 6, 2005

When I load my tractor, I know I want the tongue to drop about 3". I leave the block there and crank it up the 3", then drive on and pull ahead till the jack touches the block

KiotiJohn · May 6, 2005

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( When I load my tractor, I know I want the tongue to drop about 3". I leave the block there and crank it up the 3", then drive on and pull ahead till the jack touches the block )</font>
I like this idea, but what do you do when the trailer is on a different level than you started out with, say at a location you might do some work. You'd have to have the same clearance as you had at your home base, right? I suppose the easiest thing to do would be to measure where you end up as well and then do the same raising of the jack.
How do you know for sure when the jack hits the block? From being on the tractor you can't see that can you? Can you just feel it hit?
Thanks for your answers.
John

Scrounger · May 6, 2005

My Yukon XL has rear air suspension so that little trick wont work for me. ANy other quick ways to estimate tongue weight?

Highbeam · May 6, 2005

Two bathroom scales and a 4x4 under the tongue jack bridging the scales. You want between 10 and 15% of the total weight on the tongue. If two scales can't do it then it becomes way tougher.

My preferred method for these things, same as with towing any trailer, is to find a closed weigh station. Most of these places leave the window open so that you can see the scale dial. Adjust the tractor until you get the desired tongue weight and then mark the trailer so that you know where to put the tractor each time. This works well if you load the trailer with the same cargo each time.

10-15% is a pretty good range for a 7000 lb trailer. It is always better to have too much tongue weight than too little.