Trailer Weight Distribution

[johneking]

Been pulling trailers for over 55 years of all sizes and kinds.
Here of late most is with a double axle {6K lb each} 14' trailer I made for my asphalt business in '82 with my Kubota B20 and always pull it on -- never back it on.
Although I like "LittleBill21"'s comments, I don't recommend loading tail heavy and "take a ride. when it starts swaying at 45+ you will get it." as this could cause a blown tire, accident etc.
Most of the time I have a 5' Bush Hog on and it hangs 4' past the back of the trailer -- in AR that's legal -- but sometimes I'll have the Kubota BT750 Back Hoe on and lower to the deck.
The Bush Hog and Back Hoe are about the same weight as the motor and front end of the tractor and therefore balance the weight producing a tongue heavy load.
I also keep the loader bucket on the trailer against the front of the trailer as I don't really like it over the front unless I'm pulling another trailer behind the loaded one -- I also do this quite a bit.
You might also consider a "leveling hitch" and/or air bags for your tow vehicle.
I'll try and find a couple of pictures.

 

[Bentrim]

Way back when I was younger and worked for a farm equipment dealer, I was taught and learned how to load and haul with a trailer.
Was asked to go to the local branch and pick up parts which needed some room on the trailer. On the way back I was supposed to pickup an AC B that was to have a belly mower installed. These parts took up more room than they were supposed to and the tractor was loaded to the rear of the trailer with very little weight on the tongue of the trailer. Well the trip back to the dealer was slow and I was a bundle of nerves. The trailer an 18,000 pound three axle drove the truck. I made it and swore not to ever do that again!
After that I learned to load the tractor nose first with the rear axle just behind the center, with some tongue weight but not excessive.
After that I was in a larger truck with a specialized trailer hauling combines. Watch the height and watch the width. People seemed to pull over at the narrowest part of the road so you could pass. Oh well.
Some thing I have learned :
1. Use your best chain on the back, you need it there because you can stop, faster than you can pull out and you don't want the tractor beside you in the truck!!
2. Try to haul with some tongue weight, not excessive and not too little. Experience will tech you what is best.
3. You don't need a gazillion horsepower to pull a trailer, pulled many a load with a 292 Ford and a 305 GMC. Even towed some eqipment with an old flathead Dodge.
4. Be sure the brakes work!! check the before every trip, whether electric or hydraulic, don't expect the truck to stop the truck and trailer.
5. Learn how to back that trailer loaded and unloaded. Some day you will need that to get ot of a jam.
6. If loading a trailer with a heavy tractor be sure to block the trailer wheels. it is no fun when the trailer picks up the wheels of the truck and it decides to move away as you try and load it.
7. When around police, act is if you have towed the trailer for millions of miles. They will usually leave you alone as you appear to know what you are doing.
8. You don't have to get carried away when tying down the load, nothing fancy, just as long as it is tied down with the best chain/strap in the back. Hauled a lot of equipment even off center and odd shapes and never had a load fall off, or even get loose.

 

[Gopher Baroque]

8. You don't have to get carried away when tying down the load, nothing fancy, just as long as it is tied down with the best chain/strap in the back. Hauled a lot of equipment even off center and odd shapes and never had a load fall off, or even get loose.

Off-topic: Reminds me at the marina. Pro-boater wrap once around the cleat, then tie off. Newbies use up the whole tail with wraps and multiple ties. Overdoing it doesn't make it stronger, just harder/slower to undo the tie-down.

 

[Dftodd]

I think you have more tongue weight with it backed on than you think.

It looks like your truck is a 1/2 ton so you may want to weigh it and see what you have.

I have too much tongue weight with my tractor backed in the attached picture with my 2500 truck, but not if I pull it on. That said it tows great either way.

This really depends on the size of the tractor and implements your hauling.

My Grey market L1501 fit and hauled best when backed on. I could drop the bush hog wheel on the chain box, and the loader even with the tailgate.

It ran nice and smooth down the road.

My trailer 16ft.

I really need a longer trailer for my Massey

 

[MH8675309]

One other factor not mentioned is how much up force on the tongue while loading the tractor. Plenty of videos out there where there is enough up force to allow a truck to start rolling down the hill as an item is loaded.

Doug in SW IA

I always block up the rear of the trailer with a few 6x6 blocks to keep this from happening. I have seen the back end of a truck get picked up when loading before

 

[Rustyiron]

whats a new one? that the trailer nose should be slightly down? thats been a known thing for as long as i have been towing, you always want to be tongue heavy vs tail heavy.

want to test it, put your tractor to the front of the trailer, take a ride, put your tractor to back of the trailer, take a ride. when it starts swaying at 45+ you will get it.

Proper ball height for a level, empty trailer is the target. Squatting a half ton 2" (loaded)
Should be about right.
Too much tongue weight is far better than too little.

 

[IXLR8]

I have 3 trailers and this is what I use to make sure my tongue weight is correct for each.

Weigh Safe Trailer Hitches - Towing Peace of Mind

Award-winning products for towing peace of mind. Weigh Safe's flagship drop hitch features a built-in tongue weight scale for improved towing performance.

www.weigh-safe.com

 

[Clayak]

 

[marksb2620]

Up date.
First of all, thank you for all your input!
I'm sure as to what I'm to say to add more......

In order to get an idea on tongue weight, I went with measuring the distance from the bottom of the hitch to the ground completely unloaded.
18 2/4 ".

Measured with me @ 200lbs standing on the hitch 17 1/4".

Fully loaded as shown here, 15 2/4".

If my "iffy" math is correct then I have 480 lbs of tongue weight.

I am taking it for a 10 mile round trip to pick up a piece of stone today.

Max speed 40 - 45 mph, back roads, as I don't have brakes yet!

This trailer was purchased 3rd hand and the brake electrical lines were cut.

Other than this mornings trial, the trailer will not be used again until the brake issue is resolved.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

I am taking it for a 10 mile round trip to pick up a piece of stone today.

Max speed 40 - 45 mph, back roads, as I don't have brakes yet!

Why not spend 10 minutes fixing the brakes before using it?

You can always do a correct repair of the wiring later.