Your Cargo Trailer Weight Distribution Guide
Towing a cargo trailer is something that can be very challenging if it’s not done correctly. One place where people commonly struggle is with uneven cargo weight distribution. Cargo that is shifted to one side or the other can cause tire blowouts, trailer sway and a host of other issues for both your trailer and towing vehicle. Instead of dealing with these woes, why not do what you can to keep your cargo balanced?
Glenn's Trailer Sales in Hobe Sound is your Florida cargo trailer dealer. Here are our tips for evenly distributing the weight in your cargo trailer to ensure safe driving.
1. Understand Towing Limits
Every vehicle and trailer is labeled by the manufacturer with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) which lets you know how much weight these vehicles can handle, including passengers and cargo. Always know this weight and avoid going over it. Bear in mind that your towing vehicle’s GVWR must also accommodate the loaded cargo trailer you’re towing, while with the cargo trailer, the GVWR will mainly just account for the actual weight of its cargo.
2. Consult Your Owner’s Manual
Another helpful thing to do before towing your cargo trailer is to check your owner’s manual to see what it says about how to load up your particular make and model of trailer. There may be tips that could make the process significantly easier for you, thus saving you time and energy.
3. Strategically Load Your Cargo
When loading up your cargo trailer, you’ll want to use a 60/40 ratio from front to back: place 60% of your total cargo weight towards the front of the trailer and 40% of it towards the rear. Always balance cargo exactly 50/50 between the left and right sides to prevent excess strain on one set of tires.
4. Secure Cargo In Place
If you have an enclosed trailer, you won’t need to worry that much about your cargo being tossed around, but you should make sure that your cargo is firmly in place. With an open trailer, you’ll need to use ropes, tarps and ratchet straps to secure your cargo snugly so that nothing flies out as you’re driving down the highway.
5. Double-Check Weight Distribution
Once everything is loaded up and in place, take your cargo trailer to a weigh station to ensure that you’re sticking to your trailer’s GVWR, that your towing vehicle isn’t over its GVWR and that both vehicles are under any legal limits.
Visit our dealership in Hobe Sound, FL, today to check out our full stock of new and used trailers for sale. We can even assist you with financing options for your trailer, or offer you price quotes or trade-in values. Glenn’s Trailer Sales proudly serves the cities of Jupiter and West Palm Beach, FL.