Improper weight distribution on trailer = disaster | GTAMotorcycle.com

Improper weight distribution on trailer = disaster

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Good video by U-Haul on weight distribution on trailers:

[video=youtube;fWd8ml9mFMo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWd8ml9mFMo[/video]

How you distribute tow weight is paramount to safely arriving at your destination. When loading a trailer, make sure that 60% of your weight is loaded to the front of the trailer and 40% is loaded to the back for the safest towing experience.
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"Load a trailer heavier in the front to reduce the chance of sway. If sway is encountered, release the accelerator pedal, slow down and move to a safe location to redistribute the load," said Marco Garcia, Assistant Director of Engineering Services at U-Haul. "Having too much weight in the back of your tow load is a recipe for danger."
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http://myuhaulstory.com/2016/10/07/...emonstrator-help-educate-drivers-safe-towing/
 
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Ugh, don't even get me started on this topic. As someone who spends my work life on the road I've seen so many disasters waiting to happen that its crazy.

Unfortunately law enforcement is NOT proactive when dealing with these issues even when reported. A few years ago I got nearly run off the road by a guy pulling what had to be about a 50' cabin cruiser with a 15' beam (width) down a country road with a half ton. No escort, no overwidth signs, nothing..and no consideration for the fact that not every other oncoming vehicle could just drive onto the shoulder without risk of a wreck. I called the OPP and the person on the other end of the line lackadaisically said they'd might send someone out if they had time.

RV's are other serial offenders (not to mention no lights, dangerous hitchups, no brakes, etc), but again, it's all reactive instead of proactive enforcement.
 
I have seen this happening many times on the highway, I always wondered why they swayed like this and other didn't.
 
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That there was one of the more impressive set ups I've seen so I had to take a pic. I'd be worried about that Explorer without the trailer never mind hooked up.
 
I did it one time hauling a load of rough-sawn boards from my sister's place. I didn't realize how badly I had it loaded until I noticed the cars coming the other way pulling off the road. I looked in my side-view mirrors and saw the side of the trailer, first on the driver side, then the passenger side. It was a fun exercise trying to slow down by applying the brakes only when the trailer was behind the hitch, and then letting the brakes off. Luckily it was a country road. I got pulled over and redistributed it between the truck and trailer as best I could, but I was still limited to about 50 mph all the way from Cornwall to north of Kingston along old hwy 2. One of the longest drives of my life I swear; everytime I'd get above 50 it would start to shimmy.
 
As long as the tail is pretty light compared to the dog, the tail can wag without upsetting the dog too much (above situation) - it's bad, but not necessarily disastrous. But combine that with the tail being too big and heavy compared to the dog ... The best one I've seen was a big enclosed trailer behind a Ford Expedition, the whole deal including the Expedition on its side, at the bottom of the hill east of the Trenton service center on the 401.

The huge tow ratings and power available now probably doesn't help - it encourages people to drive faster than they probably should while towing. Back when the tow vehicle probably had a 225 Slant Six leaning tower of power with a single barrel carb, or a Ford "Thriftpower Six", you just couldn't do that!
 
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This one is a classic from many years ago.
 
JD_PICKLE said:
Sorry, never posted a pic before..
says its too big to download... what now ??
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Put it in photobucket or the like, and then link to it.
 
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