Quick Guide to Loading Your Trailer

Here are some steps to follow to make sure you load your trailer properly and safely.

• Park on a level surface 
  This is to avoid the trailer shifting, rolling or even tipping once you start loading.
  
  
• Immobilize the trailer 
  Put wheel chocks under your wheels to make sure the trailer won’t roll or move while loading. Or you could hitch the trailer to the vehicle before loading and put the towing vehicle in park using the emergency brake.

• Front to back balance – 60/40 rule

Quickly survey what you plan to load onto the trailer, and plan out where you want your stuff to go. You should put 60% of the weight forward of the axle, and 40% of the weight behind the axle. This helps to keep the tongue weight in the correct range to deter trailer sway. (Tongue weight should be 10%-15% of the load’s total weight. To check this you could get a hitch with a built-in scale such as those by Weigh Safe, which we sell.)

On a tandem axle trailer, you may want to put the heaviest load between the axles. Otherwise still try to follow the 60/40 rule.

• Make sure the overall weight is balanced side to side.

Distribute the weight evenly between the left and right sides of the trailer. Avoid putting too much weight on one side, as this can cause the trailer to lean or unevenly wear tires. It can also cause decreased traction on the side with the lighter loading.

• Load heaviest items first

Heaviest items like vehicles or furniture should be on the floor and in the center of the trailer. Then arrange lighter items around and on top.

• Keep most of the weight low and centered.

Keep heavier items low to the trailer floor and centered between the left and right sides. This lowers the center of gravity and improves stability.

• Secure the Load

Once the weight is properly distributed, secure the load with appropriate tie-downs or straps. Especially necessary when carrying vehicles with wheels, or with an open trailer.

• Check Tongue Weight

After loading, check the tongue weight (the weight on the trailer hitch) to ensure it falls within the recommended range (usually 10-15% of the Gross Trailer Weight).

• 80% Rule

For safety and for the life of your towing vehicle, don't tow over 80% of your vehicle's towing capacity. Similarly for the life of your trailer and safety towing, don't fill your trailer all the way to its payload capacity. Try to keep it to 80% or less. On a bumpy road, the load can jump up a bit, and when it comes down it can hit the trailer with greater force. Keeping it to 80% of payload capacity saves your trailer's suspension as well. (For more on GVWR and payload capacity see here!)

• Regular Checks

On long trips, periodically stop to check the load for shifting and to ensure tie-downs are secure.

By following these steps you'll be safely rolling in no time!