What should the tongue weight of a trailer be

In order to check your tongue weight, follow these steps:. If your tongue weight is too low, move the load forward a bit. If you need to reduce tongue weight, move the weight further back on the trailer. Once you have your proper balance, ensure the load is also evenly distributed on the left and right sides of the trailer, and secure it to prevent it from sliding while in motion. Before you hitch a trailer up to your truck or SUV and hit the open road, consider these six tips.

In fact their varying designs and configurations mean they can handle quite differently when hitched to your tow vehicle. Carrying passengers or cargo? The weight of passengers, cargo and options or accessories may reduce the amount you can tow. The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price excludes destination freight charge, tax, title, license, dealer fees and optional equipment.

See your GMC dealer for details. Click here to see all GMC destination freight charges. Requires 4WD Double Cab with available 6. The weight of passengers, cargo and options oraccessories may reduce the amount you can tow. The 30, lbs. These maximum payload ratings are intended for comparison purposes only. Savana Passenger's 9,lb rating requires or Regular Wheelbase model, trailering equipment package and 6. When properly equipped; includes weight of vehicle and trailer combination, including the weight of driver, passengers, fuel, optional equipment and cargo in the vehicle and trailer.

When properly equipped; includes weight of vehicle, passengers, cargo and equipment. Trailer weight ratings are calculated assuming properly equipped vehicle, plus driver and one passenger. The weight of other optional equipment, passengers and cargo will reduce the trailer weight your vehicle can tow. If the tongue is too heavy, you need to adjust the load so that more of the weight is behind the trailer's axle. If repositioning the load and equipment did not help reduce the sway, a weight distribution system with trailer sway control may be needed.

We hope this article could be of great help to you. If you need help determining your tongue weight, have issues with your trailer sway, or not sure which weight distribution system to use please contact our team via Live Chat, Email, Or call What trailer hitch do you have on your vehicle and what it is rated for? Your cart is empty. Sign in.

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If the scale indicates that your tongue weight is too low or too high, you can adjust it before you head out so that you can complete your journey safely and securely. Trailers of the East Coast customers often ask Josh Waller from the parts department whether their trailer is overloaded, but that is a difficult question for him to answer.

What is Tongue Weight? Tongue weight TW refers to the weight that a fully loaded trailer exerts downward on the hitch ball of the tow vehicle. Tongue weight should be between percent of gross trailer weight GTW. For example, a 10,lb trailer should have a tongue weight between 1, lbs and 1, lbs. You can adjust the tongue weight of your trailer by removing or adding cargo, or redistributing the load on the trailer.