Loading for proper tongue weight

[keekers]

A question out to the experts. In a 13ft trailer what do you put inside towards the front to insure proper load distribution. I was thinking my full 5 gal water jug to compensate for the sort of rear water tank. Maybe the cooler too ?
I have seen diagrams on how to pack a backpack and thought there might be something like that for our small trailers.
Your suggestions and input will be appreciated.
Thanks,
Patti

[ruscal]

Experts? That leaves me out. On the rare occasion I have had a trailer unstable and swapping back and forth, I did just as you suggested and moved the heavier items forward. Problem solved, as long as your tow vehicle can handle the weight you should be fine.
Russ

[Jon Vermilye]

I think the best solution is to weigh both the trailer & the hitch weight, and try for a minimum of 10% on the hitch. Anything else is a guess.

[Thomas G.]

Doesn't everyone have a spouse that collects rocks? Just move 'em to the front.

[Donna D.]

I believe the best method is to get the trailer weighed (empty) and get the tongue weight (empty), then load appropriately. I put all the heavy stuff right over the top of the axle, or as close as possible. And I don't tow with water (except bottled), both freshwater tank and hotwater tank are empty and I really try to dump gray/black before leaving a campground. At the price of fuel to tow, it makes the water really expensive. YMMV

[honda03842]

Most of our weight is over or near the axle or on the tongue.

The tongue has the battery and propane tank, both heavy items, about 100#s.

The fridge, hot water tank (50 lbs), pantry, as well as most dishes and glassware and pots/ pans are located over or near the axle.

The only three items inside the trailer of significant weight not near the axle are the spare tire (32#s), the air conditioner (32#s) in our closet at the rear side of the door, and the water tank under the dinette (usually 1/2 full about 50#s). We carry virtually nothing in the gray tank or black tank while driving.

We carry no coolers, no generator, or anything loose in the trailer.

Our tongue weight for our 2400# trailer is 200#s, about 8%. We've never seen any sway.

[mcbrew]

Even after removing the battery from the tongue, I usually have to put most of the weight over or behind the axle to maintain a good, but not too heavy tongue weight.

[841K9]

Originally Posted by Thomas G.

Doesn't everyone have a spouse that collects rocks? Just move 'em to the front.

I swear mine collects bricks and keeps them in her purse...

[John_M]

Originally Posted by 841K9

I swear mine collects bricks and keeps them in her purse...

(in his wife's voice) "to whack you over the head with, my dear..."

[841K9]

Originally Posted by John_M

(in his wife's voice) "to whack you over the head with, my dear..."

I'm sure that my head would break the bricks.

[john warren]

ok. don't travel with a full water tank. fill it up close to or at your campground. why buy gas to haul something you can get free at the campground?
basicly your tongue should be too heavy to comfortably lift on your own, but fairly easy for two people to lift.

[john warren]

Originally Posted by Thomas G.

Doesn't everyone have a spouse that collects rocks? Just move 'em to the front.

uh i guess she stores them in my head,,,at least she keeps sayin thats whats there.

[fusedlight]

Originally Posted by Thomas G.

Doesn't everyone have a spouse that collects rocks? Just move 'em to the front.

Of course we do. As do I!

I think we brought back 600 pounds on the last trip. Heck, that amount would give us any number of "adjustment" possibilities. We'll have to see how that works when we get our trailer in <<drum roll please>> 35 days!

[841K9]

Originally Posted by john warren

ok. don't travel with a full water tank. fill it up close to or at your campground. why buy gas to haul something you can get free at the campground?
basicly your tongue should be too heavy to comfortably lift on your own, but fairly easy for two people to lift.

That depends on who is doing the lifting.